Jimmyn Parc

This book examines the evolution of the Korean film industry, presenting a comprehensive account from the early days of experimental screening to its current period of attracting increased foreign investment. Exploring the Korean film industry’s troubled past, this book covers occupation, civil war, authoritarianism, globalisation, and the continued uncertainties amidst geopolitical competition. It differs from other existing works by connecting the development of the Korean film industry to the country’s international relations. Furthermore, it considers what impact this had on the industry itself rather than just on the content of the films produced. With such an approach, this book reveals the background and reasons for its achievements, ultimately providing an inspiring example of global success and an applicable benchmark for other film industries seeking their own international breakout. By offering fresh insights and new information linking the past and present of the Korean film industry, the book serves as a useful companion to scholars of cultural studies, business history, Korean studies, and globalization, even if they may not be familiar with the specifics of this dynamic industry. Moreover, this book can serve as a valuable reference for shaping the roadmap of audiovisual sectors–including the film industry–toward a promising future.

By analyzing the various factors contributing to K-pop’s unprecedented global rise, this book delves into key elements such as cultural hybridity, digital connectivity, and the role of fan engagement, while also interrogating the ways these factors have shaped K-pop's unique position within the global music industry. In addition to exploring K-pop's identity, the book addresses the often overlooked competitive landscape in which it has flourished, including a detailed analysis of K-pop’s strategic innovation and its ability to resonate across diverse cultural contexts. This book provides a thorough and compelling account of the multifaceted forces behind its international success. For readers seeking a deeper understanding of the true drivers behind K-pop’s global phenomenon, this work offers critical insights into its cultural, economic, and artistic dynamics.

This book analyses the Korean film industry emergence and development in a global business and economic perspective. This is one of the first books to compare the film policies and industries of the world’s six largest film industries – featuring Korea as the central character – with the aim of defining the contours of what constitutes an effective film policy. It presents many cases showing that, contrary to what is often believed, an economically sound policy is a good instrument for achieving desired cultural goals. It uses a set of analytical tools – borrowed from the economic analysis of international trade policies – to provide a rich harvest of new, rigorous, and often unexpected results on the effectiveness of the existing film policies. The implications found in this book are relevant not only for Korea, but for all other countries that wish to foster or enhance the competitiveness of their film industries. This book will be of interest to a wide spectrum of scholars interested in cultural studies – media and cultural specialists, political scientists, sociologists, historians – in addition to business analysts and economists specialized in cultural economics. As this book focuses on film policies and how to improve them, it will also appeal to policymakers, business figures, public relations officials, and staff from international organizations working on the film industry.

This book analyses the Korean film industry emergence and development in a global business and economic perspective. This is one of the first books to compare the film policies and industries of the world’s six largest film industries – featuring Korea as the central character – with the aim of defining the contours of what constitutes an effective film policy. It presents many cases showing that, contrary to what is often believed, an economically sound policy is a good instrument for achieving desired cultural goals. It uses a set of analytical tools – borrowed from the economic analysis of international trade policies – to provide a rich harvest of new, rigorous, and often unexpected results on the effectiveness of the existing film policies. The implications found in this book are relevant not only for Korea, but for all other countries that wish to foster or enhance the competitiveness of their film industries. This book will be of interest to a wide spectrum of scholars interested in cultural studies – media and cultural specialists, political scientists, sociologists, historians – in addition to business analysts and economists specialized in cultural economics. As this book focuses on film policies and how to improve them, it will also appeal to policymakers, business figures, public relations officials, and staff from international organizations working on the film industry.