Producers of a Chinese television company are working on getting the rights to broadcast their own version of some homegrown South Korean variety shows amid the “Korean Wave” cinema trend.
South Korean entertainment firms including SBS Media Holdings are targeting to sell the rights of Korean dramas as well as allowing remakes of their very own original reality shows which capture unscripted moments of celebrities.
The Korean producers saw a work-around on the ban in the airing of foreign shows during the $19-billion Chinese TV industry's primetime through selling the broadcast rights to them.
"Since foreign programs were barred from airing during China's prime time, local co-production has become the easiest way to broadcast in China," "Hurry Up, Brother!" Korean co-producer Kim Yong-jae stated.
According to the CSM Media Research, about 4.2 percent of viewers in China, where most audiences prefer watching shows online, tuned in to their TV sets on Jan. 9 to watch "Hurry Up, Brother!" a show based on the hit South Korean reality show "Running Man."
In the Chinese version of the Korean original, popular Chinese celebs such as Deng Chao and Angelababy compete to finish several obstacles and try to have his or her competitors eliminated to gain more chances of winning the ultimate prize.
According to Kim, many cultural aspects of the Chinese reality show are similar to that of its Korean counterpart, especially their take on Confucian values such as respect for the elders.
Aside from "Running Man," the Korean hit "Where Are We Going, Dad?" as well as "Star to My House" also transfused into the Chinese TV programming through the initiative of Hunan Television and Jiangsu TV.
KOEN Group Chief Executive Ahn Yin-bae explained that inciting realistic reactions from celebrities are the main goal of the reality shows because they are what makes audiences want to watch.
"Chinese celebrities aren't used to showing unexpected reactions in sudden situations. It's important to incite the reactions you want and create characters," she stated.