The Korean TV industry has a long and storied history. It began in the early 1950s with the launch of Korea’s first television station, Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS). Since then, the Korean TV industry has grown rapidly, producing some of Asia’s most popular and successful shows and genres. Notably, South Korea is one of the most technologically-advanced countries in the world, and broadcast television and cinema certainly benefited from the country’s top-tier standing.
TV and cinema remain popular options for watching the latest TV show and films. But the advancing technologies available through Internet streaming have facilitated the growth of online subscriptions to reputable platforms. So, for example, it’s possible to power up your PC, Mac or mobile and enjoy the best of Korea with a top-tier Korean drama app like Rakuten Viki.
Some of the most popular and iconic Korean TV dramas include “Winter Sonata” (2002), “My Name is Kim Sam-soon” (2005), “Boys Over Flowers” (2009), and “Descendants of the Sun” (2016). These dramas have been huge hits in Korea and rank among Asia’s most popular and successful shows and genres. Still, they have also gained immense popularity across Asia, helping to boost Korea’s soft power.
The Korean film industry also has a long and distinguished history. The first Korean feature film was released in 1926, entitled “Chunhyangjeon.” This iconic Korean film ranks among the most celebrated of all time. It recounts the tale of pansori Chunhyangga, and it’s a rollercoaster of heartfelt emotions.
Since then, many classic and iconic films have been produced, such as “The Housemaid” (1960), “A Taxi Driver” (2017), and “Parasite” (2019). However, while the Korean TV and film industries have had great success domestically and internationally, they have also faced challenges in recent years. Budgetary constraints, piracy streaming services, and intense competition from other Asian countries are cases in point.
Current Viewership Trends with Korean Dramas and Film
One of the primary reasons for the declining popularity of traditional Korean cinema is the rise of legal streaming services. In recent years, there has been a surge in the number of people using apps and websites such as Viki, Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime to watch movies and TV shows. This has led to a decline in viewership for traditional television channels and movie theatres.
Illegal movie streaming services have also impacted the Korean film industry. Piracy is a major factor in current viewership numbers. Over the past decade, there has been a significant increase in people who illegally download or stream movies and TV shows online. This has harmed the TV and film industries in Korea, resulting in a loss of revenue. Fortunately, various government controls are in place to actively take down illegal streaming sites.
Korean viewers tend to eschew illegal streaming sites for various reasons:
- First and foremost, there is the risk of getting caught and facing penalties. In Korea, it is illegal to stream or download copyrighted content without permission from the copyright holder. If caught, viewers could be fined up to 5 million won+.
- Another reason viewers may be reluctant to use illegal streaming services is the content’s quality. Often, pirated content is lower in quality than legal streams or downloads. This can be due to poor video and audio quality and incomplete or missing episodes.
- Finally, viewers may be reluctant to use illegal streaming services because of the potential for malware. When downloading or streaming content from an illegitimate source, there is always a risk that you could install viruses or other malicious software on your device without your knowledge. This could lead to serious problems such as data loss or identity theft.
A Shift in Preferences for Korean Viewers
While traditional TV and cinema face challenges, both remain viable entertainment options for Korean viewers. However, another reason for the shifting trend is changing tastes among Korean audiences.
In recent years, there has been a shift from traditional Korean dramas and films to more modern genres such as action, comedy, and thriller. This change in taste may be due to the influence of Western culture or simply because audiences are looking for something new.
The ongoing evolution of Korean film is fascinating. This diverse country is filled with incredible storytellers. The heartfelt dramas and deep character development make Korean films well worth watching.
