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It seems that preventing streaming sites in China from showing South Korean dramas is not enough THAAD missiles backlash for China. Two weeks ago, YouKu stopped posting Hallyu clips in response to pressure from Beijing.
Name Changes
Now, even shows adapted from South Korea have not been spared. Global Times reported that the Chinese version of “Running Man” changed its name to “Keep Running” as the show’s way of distancing itself from South Korean influence. “I am a Singer” was also shortened to just “Singer.”
The impact of these changes is that some Chinese TV viewers, although there is an abundance of local dramas, miss watching their favorite Korean series which until the recent ban was still available via streaming. Stephanie Shi, one of them, explained that she preferred watching Korean shows because of its higher production quality.
She said Korean TV shows have the same quality as movies from its cinematography to music. “Each frame is a pretty poster,” Stephanie Shi said. However, when it comes to storylines, there are times these are too simple or repetitive.
Travel Packages Suspended
The sanctions by China are not limited to TV shows. Travel package to South Korea have been suspended by Chinese travel agencies. Because the Lotte conglomerate provided land for the deployment of the THAAD missiles, Chinese citizens have also boycotted the stores of Lotte of South Korea.
The Korean Economic Daily reported that four Lotte Mart stores in Chin were suspended by authorities for one month for allegedly breaching fire safety regulations. The move, though, is seen as part of the THAAD retaliation by Beijing to which South Korea said it would ensure that Korean firms do not suffer from unfair trade measures in China.
Because of the Hallyu ban, Korean TV stations and production houses adapt shows from other countries instead. Examples are a Chinese version of “Man vs. Wild” after Dragon TV brought “Bear Grylss” to China and “Letters Alive” adapted from “Letters Live,” a BBC show.
