KBS World began operations in a small office in the summer of 2003, ignited by an effort to reach out to fans of Korean TV content. Mainly, a few popular KBS TV programmes were sold or broadcast for Koreans who lived in the U.S. to keep them up-to-date with news and new trends in Korea. The subsequent flourishing of the Korean Wave (Hallyu) propelled the desire for Korean TV programmes, leading to the rapid expansion of KBS World. By the late 1990s, South Korean entertainment and culture grew to … [Read more...] about KBS World turns 10
Hallyu
Korea: The Bigger Picture
It’s a foregone conclusion that 2011 will be remembered as a watershed year for South Korean TV. The nationwide roll-out in December of four new cable channels from local print-media giants and a CNN-like cable news channel from the national news agency made certain of that. What remains to be seen is whether these and other developments with less game-changing potential are ultimately viewed in a positive or negative light. Similarly, while Korea chalked up another record year when it … [Read more...] about Korea: The Bigger Picture
A Hallyu of change
The Korean television industry has begun an exciting chapter since our last country focus a year ago. Hallyu (Korean Wave) was said by observers to have reached its peak in the mid 2000s, but a resurgence at the beginning of last year has meant the wave is now back on track. This momentum has given 2011 a much different start than its predecessor. Last year was largely about recovery: finding new markets like the Middle East, Africa and South America to export Korean content to, as well as … [Read more...] about A Hallyu of change