The Korea Herald

피터빈트

[THAAD] Hallyu suffers from China’s anti-Korean sentiment

By 황유미

Published : Aug. 5, 2016 - 16:01

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[THE INVESTOR] China’s opposition to South Korea’s deployment of THAAD appears to be on the verge of spilling over into local culture and entertainment sectors that account for a large part of exports.

“Talks on collaboration for any kind of content-making with China have come to a full stop,” an industry source said on the condition of anonymity.

On Aug. 2, China’s state-owned CCTV reported that the Chinese State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television has requested major broadcasting firms to ban South Korean celebrities from making appearances on television entertainment shows starting next month, South Korean media reported.


The lead actors in the KBS drama The lead actors in the KBS drama "Uncontrollably Fond." KBS


A fan meeting scheduled for Kim Woo-bin and Bae Suzy -- the lead actors in the KBS drama “Uncontrollably Fond” that was scheduled for Aug. 6 in Beijing had to be postponed just three days before the event. The local organizer cited “reasons outside their control.”

Popular Korean actor Lee Jun-ki will also be unable to attend the Aug. 7 premiere of his movie “Never Sad Goodbye” in China. This was because Lee could not get his visa issued in time.

China’s CCTV recently postponed plans to create a program promoting the tourist spots of Gangwon Province, which gained popularity as the set for the Korean drama “Descendants of the Sun” that attained a wide Chinese fan base.

Scheduled TV and concert appearances by up-and-coming Korean bands such as Snuper and Wassup have been canceled by the Chinese organizers, who all declined to give out specific reasons.

Actor Park Bo-gum who gained widespread fame in China for the Korean drama “Reply 1988” -- is under criticism for disrespecting China after being shown playing a game of Go in a K-Swiss commercial.

Some industry sources say China is pouncing on the THAAD fallout to raise the barriers against Korean culture and entertainment content to nurture its own.

In 2015, hallyu exports were seen to be worth up to 3.2 trillion won (US$2.86 billion), up 13.4 percent from 2014, according to the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency.

By Hwang You-mee (glamazon@heraldcorp.com)