Whats going on in Asia?
Hallyu and Hallyu-Wood
'Winter Sonata(겨울연가), The love story of autumn(가을동화) and Daejaggum(대장금)’ are the most typical soap operas
that have caused a “Korean-Wave” in Asia.(Lim)
From 1996, Asians, especially Chinese, fans started to enjoy Korean dramas and
pop music.(Jang)
These few fans’ interests extended out as Asia’s great interest toward
Korean culture such as entertainers, foods, clothes and etc.
In China in 2001 a Beijing journalist coined the term ‘Hallyu’ which
represents a Korean Wave.
It refers to the popularity of South Korean pop culture in other Asian
countries.(“Korea”)
As the Hallyu runs deep, many Koreans expect that it can be the best way to
spread our culture out to the world.
So, in March 2006, Gyeonggido declared the establishing of “Hallyu-Wood” in
Ilsan.
In Hallyu-Wood, there will be lots of theme parks like a movie star village,
location studios, shopping centers, and so on. (Kim)
The main purpose of this project is to make a cultural representation of Asian
cinema as a whole.
The Vision of Hallyu-Wood
First of all, Hallyu-Wood will be a opportunity to continue the Hallyu alive.
Lately, there were signs of a nascent backlash against Hallyu.
For example, the comic book ‘Hating Korea’ has been a hot issue in Japan;
the country that is the main stage of Korean-Wave.
This book is written about abusing Korea.
However, it has sold 830 thousand in one year already.
Through this issue, some people worry about the end of hallyu.(Seo)
Many people point out that the lack of facilities related with the Korean-Wave may be the most important reason for this phenomena.
So, constructing a Hallyu-Wood would be one of the solutions.
This project will provide lots of contents about the Korean-Wave.
Especially, a Star Street and location studios can attract lots of Asians
interested in Korean actors.
And it would make Hallyu not only a cultural trend but also a major growth
industry.
Second, Hallyu-Wood would raise the country’s economical and cultural value.
Although the Korean-Wave was not planed by Korea, it can be a great chance to
remind Koreans of our traditions.
If Koreans know about our own culture in a wrong way, they may not be able to
circulate our culture, correctly.
Therefore Koreans should try to understand our own culture properly.
Then we can know about our culture surely, and can take advantages of our
culture and mix elements of the culture from other country’s culture.
Through this process, we can create a more sophisticated culture.
These efforts will be the motive for raising Korea’s cultural fame.
Third, Hallyu-Wood will lead to the economic revitalization of the northwest
part of Korea.
Because of the location, this project will provide a great chance for
business, especially in the entertainment part.
Add to that, there are some leisure institutions such as KINTEX and Lake Park.
For example, Ilsan Lake Park, which is the biggest man-made lake in Asia, has a site of superb scenic beauty.
Because of this opinion, 2.5 million people visited this lake per a year.(“Advantages”)
These surroundings will give a grand chance to attract people to Hallyu-Wood.
At last, it can be the hub of entertainment in Asia.
Problems of Hallyu-Wood
In March 2006, when Gyeonggido decided to name this theme park ‘Hallyu-
Wood’, many people took issue with the name.
Gyenggido announced that they would put together ‘Hallyu’ with the‘Wood’
suffix that comes from ‘Holly-Wood.
Many people point out the suffix is likely to mimic America.
The biggest matter is not to up so that this name seems not to be so creative
and kind of an imitation.
Many people can easily misunderstand the real Hallyu as an imitation of Holly-
Wood.
Another difficulty in the concept of a Hallyu-Wood is its stressing only
entertainment.
In Hallyu-Wood, there will be a Star Village (actors’ residence), Little Asia
(featuring some other Asia countries), Star Street, and studios.
In short, this will be a one-stop tourism center for fans of Korean
entertainment. (“Hallyu”)
As you know, this theme park emphasizes ‘pop stars’ the most.
Mr. Yoon claimed on TV Report that “ If Hallyu-Wood rely only on entertainers
and entertainments,
so-called ‘star-system’, Hallyu will be in a great trouble.” (Yoon)
If Hallyu-Wood only emphasizes star-system, it will be unworthy project when
entertainers loose popularity.
In my opinion, the real Hallyu is a way of communicating with other countries.
It is the way of sharing our culture as well as broadcasting entertainers.
Thus, essence of Hallyu-Wood should be traditional works which lead foreigners
to learn more about Korea, not only about Korean pop stars.
What should be done?
Hallyu is one of the hot gossips in Asia recently.
And the media in America and Europe also concentrate on Hallyu of late.
As Hallyu becomes the most important cultural trend, Korea’s cultural value
may become more precious.
Many Asians want to learn 한글, want to visit Korea, and want to follow some
of Korea’s culture.
Although we didn’t make Hallyu originally, we shouldn’t let it go by itself.
I think that Hallyu-Wood must be the most important facility for going on the Korean-Wave.
Hence we have to take this chance, and should make the Hallyu-Wood valuable.
The real meaning of Hallyu may be in the way we introduce our culture and
thoughts, and spread out our culture also.
And based on this, we should establish this institution rightly.
For instance, it ought to show some of our culture, features, and traditions. Through such a system as whenever that foreigners can wear a Han bock(한복)
when they enter the Hallyu-Wood,
or that sales-clerks wear Han bock when serving Korean food in restaurants
will be ideal ways.
Works Cited
Lim, Je-Hae. Hallyu and cultural vision of 21C. Geounggi: Cheong Dong Gu Ul, 2006.
Jang, Su-Heyn. Why Chinese accept Hallyu? Seoul: Hack go Bang, 2004.
“Korean-Wave” Wikipedia. 12 Sept. 2006.
Kim, Cheong-Hack. “Hallyu-Wood project will start..” Gyeonggi Ilbo
3 March. 2006: 1
Seo, Yung-A. “In Japan, the comic ‘Hating the Korea’ had been sold 830 thousand for a year.” Dong-A Ilbo 9 September. 2006: 3-4
“Advantages of Hallyu-Wood” Hallyu-wood. 17 March. 2006.
“Hallyu-Wood” BUHAY SA KOREA. 24 May 2006.
Yoon, Heyun-Soo. “What’s the end of Hallyu?” Problems of Hallyu. Prod. Kim, Su-Ho. Broadcast. TV Report, 2006.