In the China Daily (hat tip to the Segye Ilbo), Raymond Zhou examines why hit U.S. drama "Desperate Housewives" has failed in China while Korean dramas thrive:
So, how come a runaway hit ended up running aground in the largest potential market in terms of viewership?
Besides the inconvenient time slot, some criticize the dubbing for purging the original flavour from the dialogue. (Chinese dubbing actists tend to have perfect but homogeneous voices and exaggerated reading, they say.)
The trimming of a few scenes has also been singled out as a culprit, but the authorities in charge explained there was very little censorship except for the toning down of some racy lines.
While all these factors might matter, they do not shed light on the most fundamental cultural discrepancy. Just look at South Korean soaps similarly scheduled. They have been delivering ratings many times that of ‘Desperate Housewives’, turning legions of nine-to-fivers into nighthawks and creating Monday morning blues every morning.
Ultimately, it’s the show that matters. To put it bluntly, "Housewives" does not have a demographic fit in the Chinese market. True, it is high in quality and has suspense, thrill and murder as plot hooks to entice a wider audience. But a typical television viewer in China is not someone well-versed in Western arts and literature, mesmerized by parallel narratives and ingenious tracking shots. It is usually someone with no advanced education but simply wants to kick off her shoes and relax after a hard day’s work.
And, of course, there’s culture:
On a deeper level, life on Wisteria Lane, the fictional California community in Housewives, is too far removed from ordinary Chinese, even the burgeoning middle class. A Chinese teenager would never, in her right mind, advise her single mother on the etiquette of dating. When Chinese housewives get into an adulterous mood, they would not turn to teenaged gardeners, who are usually migrant workers in rags, but to people with deeper pockets and higher ranks. A Chinese woman may act as fastidious as Bree Van De Kamp, but she would not take on the arch-conservative stance of an American Republican. A Chinese super-mom, in a country with family planning policy encouraging for one child, faces challenges very different from tending four unruly kids.
Read the rest on your own.
29 Comments
is this really a suprise? i wouldn’t even expect desperate housewives to be a hit in korea, and korea is far more likely to understand the humor.
i think this part sums up well the success of korean dramas, its the viewers…. “… It is usually someone with no advanced education but simply wants to kick off her shoes and relax after a hard day’s work.”
My (Korean) wife loves that show, and then there’s Eva Longoria in lingerie. Nuff said.
I think 100% of American series are in vain. Who watch them? Except that Eva Longoria is hot.
Katz, I’m afraid a AGREE with you!!!
Haha..
There’s pretty much nothing good on American television as I recall. But, the only thing on American television is American shows, so no one seems to know how good it could be.
But I’m not a drama fan, but a variety show fan, so Japan is king of tv land in my world. But if you like drama’s, I have no idea how Japan’s tv fairs.
There’s pretty much nothing good on American television as I recall
Yeah, programs like Lost and Rome just suck the big root, don’t they?
“Lost and Rome”
Never heard of them…
Lost
Rome
You know, this whole international meme that American TV sucks? I don’t get it. Seriously, what’s better than American TV?
24, The West Wing, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Six Feet Under….I have never seen television (in any country) that held a sputtering candle to the Food Network.
Alton Brown’s Good Eats and 30-Minute Meals (with the curiously-hot Rachael Ray) far outshine anything I’ve ever seen on a television anywhere in Asia….to say nothing of Iron Chef (okay, the Japanese version is better…you got me there….but still).
And that’s just one channel. South Park also kicks ass. Family Guy? Still consistently funny. Futurama? Simpsons, anyone? Simpsons?
I’m not really into sports, but I imagine that American televised athletics is, at minimum, as enjoyable to watch as the Baduk channel.
In conclusion, my TV spews a constant stream of butterflies and peppermint candy.
I ask again, “What’s better than American television”?
“Lost and Rome”
Never heard of them…
But that doesn’t stop you from saying things like: There’s pretty much nothing good on American television as I recall.
By the way, there seems to be a Japan love-fest going on right now. MBC Movies at this moment (prime time) is showing some Japanese drama with some girl talking about marriage, while Dong-a TV is showing a bunch of happy Korean tourists visiting the sites in ?? (??).
This can’t be right… there’s a “diplomatic war” going on. Treasous cable TV providers!
Seriously, what’s better than American TV?
I love American TV.
24,
The concept is no longer fresh. They should have axed the show after season 2.
The West Wing,
A superb show. I only wish AFN were showing it on AFN Prime.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer,
One of my all time favorites. Inspired, clever banter making it a hit even for people who find the action annoying.
But I should add, it’s no longer on the air.
Six Feet Under….
Also no longer on the air.
And that’s just one channel. South Park also kicks ass. Family Guy? Still consistently funny. Futurama?
No longer on the air (though I wish it were).
Simpsons, anyone? Simpsons?
Well past its prime (though I think it is starting to make a comeback).
Well, I guess if we’re going to count things no longer produced, the state of American television is great.
Well, except for all the crap. Some of the stuff on AFN, especially things from the WB, are mind-numbingly atrocious.
Yeah, programs like Lost and Rome just suck the big root, don’t they?
You’ll have to forgive Darin. He’s used to taking a handful of people/things he’s encountered from some place and then making sweeping generalizations based on that.
The China Daily is one paper out there which makes the Korea Times look like a great newspaper.
I’d much rather see the Chinese embrace American imports like democracy, press freedom, freedom of assembly, belief etc and the rule of law before worrying about whether one edgy nighttimr soap opera catches on.
My own take on Japanese TV is that unless you’ve got to see titties on television, love third-tier golf competitions or are addicted to the inane banter of Japanese people who are famous only for being famous (in Japan), there is NOTHING ON TV 24/7 in Japan. I acted on those beliefs by refusing to own a TV during my many years there.
Not a bad editorial for China Daily. He may be right about the ‘intersting camera angles’ because mainland and HK shows all have the same stiff angles, blocking of actors, and reaction shots. His editorial even spent more than a sentence on piracy. But those two sentences were not enough–Desperate Housewives does pretty well in its pirated versions here. He also should have mentioned how well Sex and the City did in pirated form here–because those two shows are culturally similar. Every office woman aged 20-35 knew about Sex and the City, which even influenced mainland and Hong Kong shows that were plainly trying to reach out to that same demographic. I think DH just has not been out long enough in pirated form long enough to get enough groundswell for the broadcast.
Anyhow, its just another show that will make the other countries think Americans are shagging everything in sight. Was talking to this gal here last night and she mentioned how Americans are so ‘kaifeng’ (open, usually sexually open) and Chinese, including herself, are so ‘traditional.’ Found out later from her that she has done at least three guys in her 4 months here in Shenzhen. I admit I do the same sort of thinking about the Japanese when I see their wacky shows–start generalizing about the whole country.
I can’t watch American TV bacause it is pretty much useless. Who think American TV is cool never has seen something cool. I was shocked when I first came here of how much disgusting, offensive, strange content it has. It gives me fatigue every time I turn on the TV. I think Americans don’t know the difference between normal and corrupt. Their pattern is corrupt so they don’t know the difference.
CSI anyone?
“I think Americans don’t know the difference between normal and corrupt.”
It’s TELEVISION, Katz, not real life.
Like Korean TV is any better? I suffered through many a nighttime soap with crying women and angry men only to improve my Korean. It is interesting to note that for many years, it was okay to show a man hitting a woman, but not kissing her. Hmmm. Great acting, too. I could always tell when a character was restraining their anger in a historical drama because the camera would do a close-up shot of a clenched fist just in case the audience was too dull to notice the frowning face.
American television, Korean television - it’s all television.
I don’t know if what you say is true because I don’t use to watch Korean movies or dramas but if it is so, kissing is far worse than hitting even when acting. That only shows your hipocrisy. The governmet should do something about this, but I don’t know they are conscient since I don’t know what is their standards. And don’t compare the corrupt American television with the Korean one.
Television is television? Isn’t in television everything real but people pretending? Stop being hypocrite. Hasn’t the tv been influencing and saddening people and you try to hide that? I see many strange things in American tv using strange, disgusting, offensive language and content. Can anyone neglect that? Everyone that comes from a 3rd world country can confirm that because they are less corrupt culturally than 1st world countries.
You kids need to get outside and play, all this TV watching will make you a couch potato.
“kissing is far worse than hitting even when acting.”
That comment eloquently captures your worldview.
You know you have too much time on your hands when you find yourself “debating” with KKKatz.
Nobody mentioned the Sopranos — if that ain’t first-class TV i dunno what is. Ditto for West Wing and some others. Tons of garbage sure, but plenty worth-your-time treasures can be found… for those not bigoted.
“That comment eloquently captures your worldview.”
I sense a depraved pattern. Am I wrong when I said “kissing is far worse than hitting even when acting.”? Kissing is better than hitting? Immorality, infidelity is better than a punch…
“You know you have too much time on your hands when you find yourself “debating” with KKKatz.”
Because I’m a very moral person you call me “KKKatz”? You mean it is obvious being immoral and because I don’t agree with that you call me a KKK? That’s why I hate foreigners in my country because they go there to introduce their depravities and bark off if they don’t get what they want.
It’s the ignorance, narrow-mindedness and racism that wins you the uncoveted triple K.
Because I’m a very moral person you call me “KKKatz”
Again, why are you calling me racist and narrow-minded person when I’m not? Why aren’t you answering what I wrote and I answer another thing?
Something that I dont like doesnt necessarily mean that it is bad. I dont watch or like Korean shows (Korean dramas are not available in my area anyway), but it doesnt mean that they are all bad. They are just not my cup of tea.
I still dont get why “Lost” is so popular, as some people dont get why I like “Desperate Housewives.” Everybody is different!
By the way, “The Office” (the actor from “40 Year old Virgin” is in it) is really good and funny. “My Name is Earl” is funny too. I cant wait to see new “Desperate Housewives” and new season of “24.”
Oh, “Curb Your Enthusiasm” is very good too; one of its recent episodes was about Koreans’ dog-eating culture. I don’t take TV shows seriously, so I was not offended. It was just so funny. LOL~
Katz, the problem you are having being taken seriously stems from the fact that you are exhibiting a prejudice. Reflect on the fact that it is valid to write “owing to my personal and cultural preferences, American TV does not appeal to me.” But to offer up a solipsistic value judgement justified solely by personal prejudices does not constitute a valid criticism.
The wide currency enjoyed by US entertainment and the fact that it sets a standard worldwide makes your comment even more absurd.
Simply have the honesty and integrity to state that you do not like it and follow by explaining why. Then you may be taken more seriously.
Katz: “Everyone that comes from a 3rd world country can confirm that because they are less corrupt culturally than 1st world countries.”
In measurable terms, the opposite appears to be true. Corruption is in fact more rampant in developing countries and it remains one of the key problems Korea faces today (as the Hwang Woo Suk scandle recently illuminates).
There are numerous factors to taken into consideration here, including the relative level of economic competitiveness, compliance enforcement and the development of the justice system. Culturally, the US is a nation of law and order and almost literally a nation of lawyers, with one lawyer for every 361 people. Compare this to Korea’s ratio of one lawyer per 15,748 Koreans! (I beleive the figure needs updating)*
*source:http://davidappleyard.com/japan/jp5.htm
This is one reason that crime statistics confounded criminal experts by declining 50% since the 1980s - even whiole crime has risen to record rates in every other advanced nation. The spike in the US crime rate was a bubble in a culture that places strong emphasis on morality, ethics, order and the rule of law.
Additionally, the high profile accorded violent crime bythe media (Western and mobster movies, for instance) skewed popular perception, causing the notion that violent crime was widespread. In fact, adjusting for isolated urban areas in which crime is significantly higher, the US has one of the lower national crime rates worldwide.
The subject is highly complex and not given to simplistic biased statements like Katz’s. But it is an interesting area of research that is currently enjoying much attention.
I recommend “Freakonomics” by Steven D. Levitt. He has a interesting analysis on the crime stat of the US (and other developed countries).
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