Japan's missed opportunity The spread of Kdrama to the west

I read this article, and I fantasize, that J is substituted for K...
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/features/20060313-1002-wst-koreandramas.html

I am both happy and sad at the same time.
Being in Hawaii, I am glad that we have opportunities such as having great resources such as J and K video shops, and tv networks available to us.
I am also glad for all those that love K entertainment.

But I am sad, because 8 years ago, when I first discovered J-Drama, and then the resulting J-pop, I was excited. It was clean, fun, wholesome, and i could totally relate to my JA heritage. I believed that, like Karaoke and Power Rangers and Anime, Jpop and Jdrama could make a decent showing in the USA.

As I watched, and waited for the winds of change, I saw the reverse effect.
I saw how K grew in popularity.
I saw how FujiTV decided to stop E subs. WTF?
J DVDs are overpriced and Region restricted. Not to mention non-existent distribution.
They go backwards in globalizing their creative content. Sad.

Even when I go to L.A. or S.F. I find that there are 6 K radio stations available, and only 1 or 2 J radio. They may be doing better with TV options, compared to us in Hawaii, from what I've seen.

Samsung is eclipsing Sony.

I think the Japanese have adopted too much of America, and are now Pu-Pu-Pu.
(I was initiated to J via Pu-Pu-Pu and Akimahende. I know. Don't laugh.)

I hope they can see the light, but it may be insignificant at this stage.

Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 10:54 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

I keep pushing this fact again and again.

1. Japanese-oriented entertainment is still number-one in Japan. Seriously - this is all that matters.

2. Korean entertainment is beating out Japanese entertainment outside of Japan. Does the Japanese geinoukai care? No!

3. Can you do something about it? NO! Because the Japanese is not interested in making money in markets outside of their primary area, which is Japan. They have a right to this philosophy. And, they are not wrong.

Copy/paste from my blog:

I don't know if I completely agree with that. I'm also a JA living in Hawai'i. Like you, I'm very happy that we have the terrific resources like the J video shops, KIKUTV and NGN. I also like Jpop, Jdrama, J variety shows, and anime.

While I absolutely enjoy these shows myself, I also don't feel that the majority of America could get "into" them as I have. There are too many subtleties in Jdrama to really appeal to the American public. The careful sense of balance and use of archetypal stories is too frequently viewed as being bland and repetitive by many people.

As far as J DVDs being overpriced, I can sympathize with your frustration. They are expensive in comparison to American dvds but what their society gains in return is immeasurable. They have society built strongly on Confucian values which has many benefits; these benefits are paid for by expensive dvds and cds. When I buy something in Japan and there's a problem, I know that I can take it back to the store and get it replaced easily and with no argument. The streets and public facilities are kept much cleaner than here in America and I know that the money I spend trickles down to that as well.

Many of my family members also complain about FujiTVs decision to stop subtitling. I can only say that those TV broadcasts are really made for people who can speak and read Japanese. If every fan of Japanese dramas and music would spend a little more effort in learning the language that produces such wonderful works then there would be no complaints about this at all. It really just takes a certain amount of effort. If they really love Japanese culture than the ideas of "gaman" and "gambaru" should be easily understood.

Besides Japanese creative content is already being globalized. The Ring, The Grudge, and Dark Water are clear examples of that. The throngs of fans that mobbed KATTUN when they came to the US show this as well. While it's true Japan has become Americanized, America has not escaped Japan's influence either. Our tastes in food, literature and art have all been profoundly affected by Japan. We just don't realize it because like much in Japanese culture, the effect is subtle. Besides if you go to McDonald's in Japan and you really pay attention you'll see much that is Japanese. The sinks along the line to wash your hands, the way they can just put the drinks into paper bags and not have them spill or make a mess, the way the patty on my Fillet o fish is put in the center of the bun rather than spilling off the side as is frequently the case here. These things are also Japanese, perhaps more so than kimono or samurai swords because they are in every level of their culture and society.

Like I said, I can really sympathize with your feelings. I used to feel that way myself. Still I think Japan will continue to be more of an inspiring force rather than a marketable one.

Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2006 5:40 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

I was wondering if this...

http://www.business-i.jp/news/sou-page/news/200603140028a.nwc

Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2006 5:54 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Yea, i know K-Drama's are a hot topic these days etc. that's because they are good in that aspect. To me Japanese stuff etc etc. will always rock over any K-crap.

Remember back in the day when Anime(a.k.a. Japanimation) was really hard to get and people would trade VHS tapes. ah good times!!!

Japan has a vast majority in other things rather then drama, In my books they started this trend, first to have a small taste of what they offer. In my books they have N#1 for Video Games, Anime,Jpop,Jrock,Gundam,Tuner cars (Skyline,RX-7,WRX-Spec C,Silvia's), Fashion, i can go on and on. As far as Cell phone's topics go, Korea might beat them just by a hair,but Foma phones and DoCoMo OwNz, as far as Samsung shadowing Sony, Never (Sony's PS3 coming out will prove a point).

Back in they day most people here would have no idea of what K-Drama's were. It was all about Japanese Anime,Movies,Robots,Music.

if Fuji-TV stopped official Subbing for their shows well that motivates me enough to still keep learning Nihongo, jah ne bakaroooh!

Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2006 11:14 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2006 11:53 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2006 3:55 am Post subject: Found out why? Post Rating: 0

I think i found out why, take a look at the more realistic situation. I noticed alot of Kdramas shows always mention that their economy is low all the time. Then I was also watching the K news and even mention alot of company's stocks keep falling, as well as the dollar value, samsung took a 1.3% drop on their stock. Even more with that research stem cell scandal that happened a few months ago, where they lied about an experiment of some sort, i forgot. But anyway this relates to why Kdramas not only that but other shows, they want to make a market out side Korea. I also seen a Japanese TV News show where they talked about 2 KBS world channels that would show and tell about the Korean culture in Japan. WOW! I know other people might know about this, just thought you might want to know.

The reason I mentioned K-crap, is I get confused with people on here that dissed Jdramas like no tomorrow, knowing that probably they started with a J. Dont take it as an insult )this goes to everyone) just remember J-culture was introduce and exposed way before K was.

I think J-Entertainment is fine the way it is now, it doesnt need to proof that its Cool when its been that way since the loooooooongest!!!

Jah ne! salut

Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2006 6:01 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

I think the reason they don't succeed is the format of their dramas. Most dramas are set up on the same canvas. Episode one, you get to know everyone, following episodes, the main character will solve the problems, or at least get involved with, of the other characters. Then around episode 8 a new character appears and either helps the main character or make his life hell.

Korean dramas are longer thus characters can be developped in dept. They also, lately, have original storylines, like what happpened in Bali, or I'm sorry I love you. But I must say they also have a canvas for their love stories ( just take Stairway to Heaven, Spring scent, Winter sonata, and so on). Also Korean happen to be more expressive where as Japanese are more reserved. Yes, you may see a guy cry in a Japanese drama, but it occurs a whole lot more often in Korean dramas. If you watch Japanese and Korean variety shows you'll notice that the Korean artist touch each other a whole lot more than Japanese people (although the new generation of Japanese artist is changing this) Maybe this expressive side helps reaching out to other regions.

As for me I like both Korean and Japanese dramas, because there are good dramas in both countries. I also think that Japan does feel the pressure and is giving its dramas more attention. I think of Rondo for example which special effects are nice and storyline interesting. Anyway, I enjoy dramas regardless and I am happy we can get them from the Internet because we can watch them at our own pace.

Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2006 3:06 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

if indeed as groink points out the jdrama can be satisfied with just the domestic market then it's understandable that kdramas are trying so hard to expand their market overseas since the korean domestic market is so much smaller. the thing is these cultural products have mutiplier effects to other products like cars, cosmetics, fashion,etc. I think the japanese are being either short sighted or cultural isolationists.

Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2006 7:37 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Well it would be nice if Japanese dramas were popular in the US, but I doubt that will happen any time soon.

First of all you have the problem with the format. Most Japanese shows end after 1 season (9-12 eps). So that goes directly against the US format of having 22-26 eps per season, with multiple seasons.

Many Japanese shows that do have multiple seasons, best examples are probably Wataru seken wa onibakari and Abarenbo shogun, don't translate well. Trick and some of the cop shows, like Aibo, might be viable candidates but they have problems of their own.

Then there is the problem with the themes. A lot of Japanese dramas have moved away from love as the main theme and that limits their value when trying to sell to an international audience. (Romantic comedies and love stories are still made, but there are simply fewer of them. Out of the 14 shows in this winter season there is only 1 show! that focuses squarely on love, Kobayakawa Nobuki no koi.) If you want to sell something to an international audience, you better have a universal theme: typically love, sex, or violence. Comedy does not translate well, Seinfeld flopped in many countries, and most dramas have given up on sex and violence (with a few exceptions like Byakuyako), so that really leaves love as the only universal theme that can be assured of selling.

When you put all these factors togeher, it makes perfect sense why the Korean dramas (much longer than Japanese dramas) focusing on love are selling in the US. You don't hear about Americans watching Korean historical dramas or Korean school dramas or Korean comedy.

Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 5:52 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

there's a huge difference in mentality between the koreans and japanese as groink has eloquently pointed out. Japanese people are not marketing japanese entertainment for foreign viewership. Foreign countries come excavating into Japan looking for stuff and then ask the Japanese if they are willing to share. There are many directors who were shocked at the fact that foreigners were actually watching Japanese dorama. Saiyuki popularity across Asia, into Britain, Australia and even the USA shocked everyone in the entertainment industry. What's even more interesting is that the Japanese people are unaware about the popularity of their pop culture in Asia and partially in the western world. Japanese people are unaware that they are setting the fashion trends, music trends, television dorama trends in Asia. Just another example of Japanese ignorance of the world outside their isolated utopia.

Compare to Korea. Korea is now trying full force to improve its national appearance throughout the world. The government is pouring so much resources into Olympics athletes, scientists close to getting Nobel prizes, enforcing laws agaisnt anti-Koreanness, etc. This Korean wave/boom is exactly it's name. Just a boom. While the Koreans are out trying to blow people away with their tremendous efforts to become popular (like the unpopular kid in the playground), Japanese popularity in Asia is standing unwavering. Which is ironic because the Japanese are doing nothing and quite frankly don't care about their image overseas.

That's why I don't lament the situation. Americans are getting the little bits of Japanese culture that they're interested in and that satisfies them so all's good. Let them make their Hollywood remakes, watch decade old anime, eat sushi thinking that's our entire diet. We don't care.