[News] Chinese Academic Takes on Korean Wave

Prof. Lai Jidan (left) receives an award from Consul General Kim Jang-hwan
at the Korean Consulate in Guangzhou, China on Monday.
Courtesy of the Korean Consulate in Guangzhou

[News] Chinese Academic Takes on Korean Wave
Jan. 22, 2010 07:21 KST
The Chosun Ilbo

A Chinese academic and former journalist has published a book analyzing the popularity of Korean TV, film and fashion in Asia, a phenomenon known as the Korean Wave. Prof. Lai Jidan (49) teaches Journalism at South China University of Technology. The entire print run of 20,000 copies sold out since it was published in April last year, and a second edition is now out.

Lai worked as a reporter for two Chinese magazines and as editor and publisher of a regional bureau of the People's Daily. She decided to write the book after falling in love with Korean culture when she visited the country in 2008 with her husband, who had been invited to attend a program sponsored by the Korea Foundation. Three months later, she was back in Korea, and traveled across the country doing research
for her book.

Director: Lee Byung Hoon (이병훈PD)

She interviewed Lee Byung-hoon, the producer of the hit TV drama "Jewel in the Palace," fashion designer Andre Kim and other stars of the Korean Wave, as well as cultural experts. Through her research and interviews, Lai traced the origin of the Korean Wave and provided detailed information on Korea's "B-Boy" breakdancers, kimchi and Korean fashion. The Cheonggye Stream, restored when President Lee Myung-bak was Seoul mayor, is also included as a project representing a new era of urban revival in the 21st century.

"Instead of belonging only to Korea, the Korean Wave should be something that all Asians can share. A deeper awareness of the cultural phenomenon could contribute to the development of Asian culture," Lai said.




This is the first time that a Chinese academic has published a book on the Korean Wave based on first-hand research. It has been praised for accurately analyzing the phenomenon from a Chinese perspective, winning the top prize last year at the Chinese Literature Awards hosted by China's economic publication association.

The Korean government also decided to give Lai an award for her achievement, and on Monday Kim Jang-hwan, the Korean consul in Guangzhou, presented the author with a medal and prize awarded by Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan.

englishnews@chosun.com