Rain.jpg (Photo : www.allkpop.com)
While Korean dramas are currently lagging behind in Japan, they are increasingly becoming popular in China.
On the other hand, the growing interest of China in Korean dramas and entertainment agencies is causing problems, particularly the brain drain in the Hallyu industry, according to Korea Times.
"My Love" producer Jang Tae-yoo has signed with China's Yuehua Entertainment for five years, and Gong Hyo-jin and Cha Seung-won's "Best Love" scriptwriters Hong Mi-ran and Hong Jeong-eun are currently working on a romantic comedy to be aired in China.
In September, the Korean drama "My Lovely Girl" was faced with criticisms from Korean viewers having more pop stars in its cast than actors. It stars several K-pop stars such as Rain, Krystal of f(x) and L and Hoya of Infinite.
"My Lovely Girl" appears to portray the K-pop industry and talent agencies. In early October, the drama has been viewed more than 100 million times in China. The drama's transmission rights were previously sold for $200,000 per episode via Youku Tudou.
This was higher than the price for "My Love from the Star," which was also a hit in China earlier this year.
On the other hand, the transmission rights for "My Love" were sold for $40,000 per episode only. It starred actors Kim Soo-hyun and Jun Ji-hyun.
Aside from Korean dramas, Chinese investors are also said to be interested in Korean entertainment agencies.
For example, Chinese Internet company Sohu.com has recently acquired stakes in Korean talent agency Keyeast, which handles leading Hallyu star Bae Yong-joon and "My Love" star Kim Soo-hyun.
The popularity of Korean dramas in China has also caused foreign tourists from China and Hong Kong to swarm to Seoul's largest market during the early morning hours and onward and not in the evenings.
"I realized just how intimate the fish market culture really is in Koreans' everyday lives after I watched the main character from 'My Love from the Star' [2013-14] walk into one," Chinese shopper Ni Wen Jue told Korea Joongang Daily.
