LayarHijau.com – Over the past few years, Chinese dramas have really started to win over Korean audiences, especially through popular remakes and streaming platforms.
One of the latest hits is JTBC's "Family by Choice," which tells the story of three unrelated young adults who form a family bond based on trust rather than blood. This drama is actually a remake of the Chinese series "Go Ahead" (2020), which originally aired on Hunan Satellite TV.
While remakes of historical Chinese dramas have become quite common in Korea, modern Chinese drama remakes are still pretty rare. Now, with over 800 Mandarin-language dramas available on Korean streaming platforms like Tving, the popularity of Chinese dramas has skyrocketed—almost doubling compared to three years ago.
This trend reflects the growing influence of Chinese content in the global entertainment market. Netflix, even though it’s banned in China, continues to invest in productions inspired by Chinese culture, like the sci-fi drama "The Three-Body Problem," and streams a variety of Chinese series worldwide.
Young Audiences Love Modern Chinese Dramas
Unlike older generations that often associate Chinese dramas with historical tales like "Justice Bao," younger Koreans are increasingly drawn to modern romances and youth dramas from China.
According to Korea Times, some popular titles among viewers in their 20s include "A Love So Beautiful" (2017) and "Go Ahead." Many feel these dramas offer a lighter and fresher vibe compared to Korean dramas, featuring unique genres like fantasy romance and unconventional storytelling.
Shows like "Love Between Fairy and Devil" (2022) also showcase innovative narratives that are rarely seen in Korean entertainment. While Chinese drama fans may not be as prominent as fans of American or Japanese dramas, the rise of "shy Chinese drama fans" is starting to change the streaming landscape in Korea.
A report from the Korea Creative Content Agency shows that platforms like Tving, Wavve, and Watcha now each offer over 800 Chinese dramas, a sharp increase from the 300 to 400 titles available back in 2021. The data indicates that Chinese dramas made up over 50 percent of overseas drama viewership earlier this year, with viewing hours jumping by 261 percent in the last two years.
Challenges in Cultural Exchange
However, the imbalance in cultural exchange between Korea and China remains a significant issue. Since November 25, 2023, no new Korean dramas have been released on Chinese television or streaming platforms since "My Liberation Notes" in February 2023. This is believed to be due to the "Korean Wave Restriction Order," which prohibits the remake of foreign videos.
Despite this, there’s some hope following a recent meeting between the cultural ministers of Korea and China on November 23. They discussed the potential for improved content exchanges.
Yoon Ho-jin, head of the China Business Center at the Korea Creative Content Agency, expressed optimism that with the recent extension of visa-free entry for South Koreans and discussions about President Xi Jinping's visit to South Korea next year, there could be real progress in opening up the Chinese market to Korean pop culture.
With the growing interest in Chinese dramas, it seems we’ll be seeing more collaborations and mutually beneficial cultural exchanges in the future.