Korean cultural export success rooted in freedom and democracy, industry insiders say
Compared to other Asian countries, where varying degrees of censorship are applied, South Korea has managed to diversify creative content to appeal to a global population
Deafening screams from some 10,000 fans brought down the curtain last week on Hong Kong’s largest, sold-out K-pop award show for the third year in a row.
The mania reaffirmed the success of Korean cultural and creative industries that, industry heavyweights say, owe their accomplishments to the freedom guarded by a democratic society that is seeking to cultivate a creative economy.
South Korean President Park Geun-hye placed those industries on high priority, encouraging new ideas that could contribute to the rise of the country’s creative economy, Mike Suh Hyun-dong, head and senior vice-president of global business at the Seoul-based K-pop exporter CJ E&M, said.
There was little censorship, the greatest enemy to creative freedom.
“Every creative talent, from independent films to music, can choose to create anything around any subject,” said Suh, whose company was the organiser of the star-studded Mnet Asian Music Awards held at the airport’s AsiaWorld-Expo last Wednesday.
Compared to other Asian countries, such as China, Singapore and Malaysia, where varying degrees of censorship are applied, South Korea has managed to diversify creative content to appeal to a global population.