The inevitable backlash now seems to be in full swing. First we had a Japanese graphic novel slamming the ‘Korean Wave.’ Now the Chinese are starting to get in on the act:
China is beginning to see a backlash against a Korean pop culture boom there, and parts of the Chinese press and some local stars are decidedly hostile.
It is a short piece and only serves up anecdotal evidence, but we may very well be seeing a trend here.
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It would probably be less obnoxious to other Asians if the Korean media/government stopped trumpeting the success of individual Korean actors/singers overseas as some sort of racial achievement. It’s the metal chopsticks! Mansae!
I had thought that one of the main reasons for the prevalence of Korean soaps in China is that there was little chance that the content inside them would cause political discomfort to the Communist Party rulers, rather than some great “hanliu.” There’s always the possibility that homemade product might actually say something truthful or unflattering about China’s history under party rule, or even the present situation, while the possibility of such appearing in Korean made product is slim.
Daily linklets 5th October
Hong Kong’s internet pimps. The world’s oldest profession banned from using modern technology. Liberal confucianism and Confucian liberalism. China’s backlash against the Korea wave. ESWN translates a citizen jounrnalist’s piece on Taishi village….
http://voyage.typepad.com/chin....._choi.html
Hu Jintao seems to like Daejanggeum.
anyway, i think zhang gouli and jackie chan are just eating sour grapes and these are isolated incidences.
i prefer DJG to Jackie Chan.
Funny, the grand-dad of Chinese rock — Cui Jian — is an ethnic Korean, though he is still considered Chinese.
Perhaps it is some sort of oblique penis-envy (fear) on the part of the Chinese media (Communist leadership) or a desire (more fear) to keep China artistically pure (under Communist rule).
I don’t think it’s just foriegn culture that China is worried about.
By ANICK JESDANUN
Monday, October 3, 2005 Posted at 3:44 PM EDT
Associated Press and Canadian Press
Two new Internet bans may offer insight into the Chinese government’s biggest fears. One bars Internet news services from inciting “illegal” assemblies, marches and demonstrations; the other prohibits activities on behalf of “illegal” civil groups.
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Zittrain said the government might be trying to stem alternative news sites on the model of OhmyNews in South Korea, where thousands of citizens have shaken the traditional media and political establishments by submitting their own reporting.
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god help korea if china actually takes up in-depth investigation of all korean “inventions.”
My first thought is that the Chosun may be overstating the degree of hostility to the Korean Wave, part and parcel of its nationalistic campaign to trumpet said wave. We kind of have to take the Chosun’s word about China’s response to the Wave (as opposed to the legitimate complaints about Korean historical revisionism that report cites).
“Foreigner” has it right about the media, and this lawmaker comes across as sensible:
“Uri Party lawmaker Chung Eui-yong said while there was nothing wrong with being proud of the Korean boom in China, it was an exaggeration to think Korean soap operas dominated the entire mainland. Korea should take a more modesty (sic) attitude in its relations with China, Chung added.”
Among many crying needs in the areas of profesionalism, accuracy and ethics, Korean media need some kind of ombudsman, someone (with a Kimbob-style attitude of bi-cultural tough love, for example) with a jingo-bullshit detector with the ability to step in and stop stories that don’t pass the laugh test outside the country. There are whole categories of these stories, including the metal chopstick theorizing, all hagiographic coverage of U.S. convict Robert Kim, most Korean wave PR and everything written about Jews and America by that white-haired senior columnist at the JoongAng Ilbo. Much of the Chosun’s Kim Dae-jung’s writing on U.S. affairs is suspect, too. Korean media coverage of USFK poses more fundamental problems, because of deeply engrained biases and seemingly deliberate distortions and their role in shaping opinion in Korea.
At the same time, these flaws offer constant grist for the blogging community!
WARNING TO JUDGE JUDY: NULJI HAS TAKEN A SHIT HERE. PLEASE GO AROUND AND HOLD YOUR HEAD UP WHILE YOU DO IT.
‘in the seiries ‘daejanggum’, the koreans claim they invented accupuncture.’ angry chinese actress from article
i saw that whole series. no such claim was ever made. in fact, the characters talked a lot about how the chinese did accupunture this way or that. anyone who really watched it would know just by the dialogue that accupuncture came from china.
‘korean journalism lies..’ slim
i see you in the same way as you see the korean press. ain’t it funny?
I fully agree with slim. FTA at least, the Chinese are trying to protect domestic entertainment industry, not so much as some sort of negative sentiment against Korea. It’s one thing for people to give examples of quotes found on Chinese BBS that show how Chinese people are getting fed up with Korean dramas, and something entirely different to show industry leaders like a disgruntled Chinese actor (including Jackie Chan) who is trying to stirr up some trouble with Dae Jang Geum.
Having watched only two Dae Jang Geum episodes, I can’t be sure, but it’s hard for me to believe that DJG portrays acupuncture to be a Korean invention, unless he meant a certain technique etc. Of course, it seems that Judge Judy knows all about these things, so questions should be directed to him/her.
Nulji, you are among the very least credible members of the wired population of our planet and I long ago stopped caring about anything you say, see or shit (is there a differnce among those activities?) — and I’m in the vast majority on this.
I also saw the DJG series, no such claims were made that accupuncture was a Korean invention. That’s full of shit, I don’t know where that’s coming from (is it really from the Chinese complaining, or is it Chosun trying to stir up controversy?). I even watched similiar old historical dramas like Ho Jun, and they’re full of references to Ming China or (Myung Nara) and their medical books.
But, the bottom line is, Slim, is correct.
There’s a whole line of thought in Korean journalism, I really think that they really believe what they print (misguided as they are). It’s hard for frogs in the well to leap up and view what the world really looks like on the outside.
Here’s a classic, no, a textbook example of what Slim was talking about:
http://times.hankooki.com/lpag.....111650.htm
Why would anyone watch a soap opera?
Foreigner - Thanks for that one. Good stuff. The Japanese have a whole genre called Nihonron that states things like the Japs have 20 more feet of intestine and are thus more evolved. Anyway, Korea doesn’t have a monopoly on such nonsense.
Wedge, I’d like to see some Nihonron (not doubting you, just curious, if there’s some translations of it in English).
Foreigner - Actually, Nihonjinron is a better term (Japanese people uniqueness). This Wikipedia entry is pretty good and you can google a lot more.
More on the Nihonjinron - Just like many in Korea, they think they uniquely have four seasons and are anatomically unable to pronounce Rs and Ls.
Having watched only two Dae Jang Geum episodes, I can?t be sure, but it?s hard for me to believe that DJG portrays acupuncture to be a Korean invention, unless he meant a certain technique etc. Of course, it seems that Judge Judy knows all about these things, so questions should be directed to him/her.
i don’t know anything about that. i don’t watch dramas except the sopranos, and i don’t know anything about accupuncture.
however, i have been impressed with ability of koreans to truly believe that korea invented so much. it’s great to be proud of your inventions, but it’s wise to know their historical origins.
Kimchi prevents SARS. Ability to use Chopsticks makes fantastic stem cell researchers. Turning on fans at night while sleeping could cause deaths.
Here’s another example of Korean journalism. Look at the first sentence of the article. What’s wrong with it?
http://english.chosun.com/w21d.....60003.html
Funny, the grand-dad of Chinese rock ? Cui Jian ? is an ethnic Korean, though he is still considered Chinese.
Really? It’s intersting, since the (alas, late) grand-dad of Russian rock, Victor Choi, also was an ethnic Korean!
Here’s an excellent article on the “East Sea” joke. How come most of the articles that makes sense in English newspapers have authors that have non-Korean sounding names? Coincidence? I think not.
http://times.hankooki.com/lpag.....554060.htm
one day, kimbob, you will learn not to read korean newspapers.
After a little internet research on chinese forum, and I have concluded that there indeed is a backlash against Korean pop culture in China. There seems to be a lot of pissed off Chinese actors in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan who think it’s unfair that they’re not getting their deserved attentions from their own medias. One named Chinese actor even went far as saying anyone who supports Korean drama/films is a traitor. I really didn’t realize Korean pop culture became that big in China to merit such backlash.
This reminds me of 2002 WC when some Korean students in China were viciously attacked because the Korean team beat Italy, and the times when Korean soccer fans were attacked when Chinese soccer team lost to Korea couple of years ago.
It seems that childish pettieness is not really unique to Korea. It’s a disease particular to most of Asia.
Sandra Oh Drama ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ to Air This Month
The U.S. TV drama ?Grey’s Anatomy?? featuring Korean-American actress Sandra Oh, also known by her Korean name Oh Mee-joo, will take to the Korean airwaves immediately after U.S. hit ?Desperate Housewives?? on KBS2 starting Oct. 23. KBS will broadcast all nine episodes of the popular ABC show’s first season, two episodes per week at 11:15 p.m. on Sundays.
Grey’s Anatomy follows the lives of a group of Harvard trained surgical interns struggling to become doctors at Seattle’s Grace Hospital. The drama depicts the love, conflicts and jealousy the characters face on the hard road to qualifying as MDs. Sandra Oh, who impressively plays the role of surgery intern Cristina Yang, was nominated as Best Supporting Actress award in the 57th Prime Time Emmy Awards, but failed to take home the prize.
http://www.kfccinema.com has an interesting article on a survey done in japan regarding their feelings towards korea, the us, and china.
Korea doesn?t have a monopoly on such nonsense.
Koreans believe
# Koreans have superior genes.
# Hangul is the most advanced language.
# Koreans are physicaly superior to any other Asians.
# Kimchi is superior food which cures sars.
Hmm…. Is this Jackie Chan thinking box office numbers or just another day of media distortions.
Chan Denies Reports He’s Anti-South Korea
Source: yahoo asia news (AP)
Jackie Chan hit back at reports he is anti-South Korea, and accused the media of distorting his comments, according to reports.
Speaking at a promotional event in South Korea for his latest movie The Myth, Chan said remarks attributed to him about the country’s film industry were incorrect, the Apple Daily newspaper reported [Saturday].
I have lived in Korea for two years … here, no one would believe that I am anti-Korea, Chan told the paper.
Chan denies he said South Korean stars were feted in the Chinese media, but the same could not be said for Chinese stars in South Korea. He also denies saying the success of South Korean productions was due less to their quality and more to their support from audiences at home.
South Korean popular culture, from TV series to pop idols, has taken Hong Kong and the rest of Asia by storm.
The Myth stars South Korean actress Kim Hee-seon as well as Indian screen siren Mallika Sherawat.