Localizing the Korean Variety Shows in China Review of the Differences Between Policy, Market and Culture

Abstract

This article aims to find out how the differences of policy, market and culture between Korean and Chinese influence the process of Chinese localization and the development of Chinese television industry. The collection of literature summaries from journals and news, the research methods of the literature review are used to discover that much literature in social science focus on how the television programs introduced from Korea influence Chinese people, but lack the summary articles about specific analyzing the differences of Korea and China. The results of this article are as followed: Firstly, under the guidance of policies, the TV industries of China and South Korea aim to get rid of the shackles of cultural imperialism. After transplanting foreign TV programs to develop their TV industries, they are now carrying out the localised development of the TV industry. Secondly, different progresses of development in television industry lead to two distinctive market structures. Korea focuses on entertainment shows and aims to spread out to Asian market. Chinese market lacks diversification, and the television industry is stably developed by directly purchasing Korean programs for localization. Finally, cultural differences about food and etiquette have some obstacles to Chinese localization, while these differences helps Chinese television stations to increase awareness of promoting creativity and self-made programs. This article analyzes the influence of Korean programs on the development of China's television industry. Under the guidance of policies, the Chinese television industry combines its market development and cultural advantages to carry out original localized programs.