The Comparison of Television Dramas Production and Broadcast between Korea and China

Abstract

Korean TV dramas, as important parts of the Korean Wave (Hallyu), are famous all over the world. China produces most TV dramas in the world. Both countries TV drama industries have their own advantages. In order to provide meaningful recommendations for drama production companies and TV stations, this paper analyzes, determines, and compares the characteristics of Korean and Chinese TV drama production and broadcasting. Korea enjoys a higher degree of marketization than China, and the Korean TV drama industry enjoys the Korean governments great support. During the production process, the screenwriter is at the center position and has great influence over the whole production team. The producer is also the director in order to ensure that the dramas quality meets expectations. In broadcasting, the three main TV stations – SBS, KBS, and MBC – hold dominant positions. In addition, there are different types of broadcasting models according to broadcasting time and frequency. Further, the main types of dramas are family dramas and romantic dramas, and are based on the contemporary period. In China, the importance of the SARFT cannot be ignored. On one hand, the SARFT regulates the whole production process through strict censorship and regulation. Further, the SARFT also regulates dramas broadcasting model, broadcasting time, broadcasting players, and broadcasting content. Besides that, the SARFT also regulates broadcasting content by encouraging the broadcast of realistic dramas based on the contemporary period, and by requiring TV stations to broadcast Red TV dramas. By comparing the drama production and broadcasting characteristics of Korea and China, we observe several differences and similarities. The greatest difference in production is that Korean production is more efficient than Chinese production. As for broadcasting, the primary difference between the two countries dramas is in diversity. Korean broadcasting models are more varied, but Chinas broadcasting content is more diversified. The two countries also are similar across three main characteristics. First, both countries realize the importance of communication with audiences. This is reflected in Koreas shooting-while-broadcasting model and Chinas production and broadcasting of more IP TV dramas. Second, both countries have their own main TV stations with dominant market positions. In Korea, these are SBS, KBS, and MBC. In China, they are the Five Star TV stations. As a result, access to audiences is important when broadcasting TV dramas. Last but not least, both countries mainly broadcast romantic dramas and family dramas set in the contemporary period.