Pop Goes Korea : Behind the Revolution in Movies, Music, and Internet Culture

How Korea became a surprise entertainment and Internet powerhouse: a guide to the innovators, stars, and the emerging new media.;Cover Page; Title Page; Copyright; Content; Introduction; Korean History: A Primer; Modern Pop Culture; A Note on Korean Language; Acknowledgments; POP Goes Korea 1; 1 The Deal; Saving the Cinema; CJ Entertainment: A Pre-History; The Foundation; Making Movies; The Rise of the Multiplex; The Modern CJ Entertainment; 2 The Blockbuster; Getting Started; First Steps; A Commercial Revolution; Just a Fluke?; Building a Bigger Blockbuster; A Culture of Hits; 3 The Film Festival; Preceding PIFF; Finding a Patron; The First PIFF; From Film Fans to Film Making; 4 The Actor and The TV Drama.

"Mr. Russell's book is the first by a non-Korean to explain the rise of Korea's entertainment industries....the book could hardly be more approachable."—Wall Street Journal

“For a country that traditionally received culture, especially from China but also from Japan and the United States, South Korea finds itself at a turning point in its new role as exporter.”—The New York Times

From kim chee to kim chic! South Korea came from nowhere in the 1990s to become one of the biggest producers of pop content (movies, music, comic books, TV dramas, online gaming) in Asia—and the West. Why? Who’s behind it? Mark James Russell tells an exciting tale of rapid growth and wild success marked by an uncanny knack for moving just one step ahead of changing technologies (such as music downloads and Internet comics) that have created new consumer markets around the world. Among the media pioneers profiled in this book is film director Kang Je-gyu, maker of Korea’s first blockbuster film Shiri; Lee Su-man, who went from folk singer to computer programmer to creator of Korea’s biggest music label; and Nelson Shin, who rose from North Korea to the top of the animation business. Full of fresh analysis, engaging reportage, and insightful insider anecdotes, Pop Goes Korea explores the hallyu (the Korean Wave) hitting the world’s shores in the new century.

Mark James Russell is a freelance writer who lived in Korea for 13 years, specializing in Korean pop culture. His articles have appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Foreign Policy, Newsweek, The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, and other publications. He has also written extensively from around Asia, from Mongolia to Japan to Thailand. He currently lives in Spain.

Mr. Russell's Book Is The First By A Non-korean To Explain The Rise Of Korea's Entertainment Industries....the Book Could Hardly Be More Approachable.—wall Street Journal “for A Country That Traditionally Received Culture, Especially From China But Also From Japan And The United States, South Korea Finds Itself At A Turning Point In Its New Role As Exporter.”—the New York Times From Kim Chee To Kim Chic! South Korea Came From Nowhere In The 1990s To Become One Of The Biggest Producers Of Pop Content (movies, Music, Comic Books, Tv Dramas, Online Gaming) In Asia—and The West. Why? Who’s Behind It? Mark James Russell Tells An Exciting Tale Of Rapid Growth And Wild Success Marked By An Uncanny Knack For Moving Just One Step Ahead Of Changing Technologies (such As Music Downloads And Internet Comics) That Have Created New Consumer Markets Around The World. Among The Media Pioneers Profiled In This Book Is Film Director Kang Je-gyu, Maker Of Korea’s First Blockbuster Film Shiri; Lee Su-man, Who Went From Folk Singer To Computer Programmer To Creator Of Korea’s Biggest Music Label; And Nelson Shin, Who Rose From North Korea To The Top Of The Animation Business. Full Of Fresh Analysis, Engaging Reportage, And Insightful Insider Anecdotes, Pop Goes Korea Explores The Hallyu (the Korean Wave) Hitting The World’s Shores In The New Century. Mark James Russell Has Been Living In Korea Since 1996. His Articles About Korean And Asian Cultures Have Appeared In Newsweek, The New York Times, International Herald-tribune, And Many Other Publications. He Is Currently The Korea/japan Bureau Chief For Asian Movie Week Magazine. "The globe buzzes with the sound of Rain and BoA, Korean films clinch awards at Cannes, and manhwa gives Japanese manga a run for the money . . ." "South Korea came from nowhere in the 1990s to become one of the biggest producers of pop content in Asia - and the West. Now, the former underdog of the international pop scene sets trends in music, movies, comic books, TV dramas, and online gaming for the rest of the world to follow. Why? Who's behind it? Veteran reporter-at-large Mark James Russell tells an exciting story of rapid growth and wild success marked by an uncanny knack for moving just one step ahead of changing technologies. With first-person accounts, fresh analysis, anecdotes, and intimate profiles on the dreamers and heavyweights who made the Korean tides turn, POP Goes Korea is the book that explores hallyu - the Korean Wave - hitting the world's shores." "Included in the text is historical and cultural background plus focus chapters on media conglomerate CJ Entertainment, director Kang Je-gyu's blockbuster film Shiri, the Pusan International Film Festival, TV actor Lee Byung-hun, SM Entertainment pop stars S.E.S. and H.O.T., and the internet demon/darling Soribada. Sidebars examine Korean filmdom's biggest hits and biggest failures, the top twenty TV dramas, the golden age of Korean rock, b-boy (breakin' and breakdancin') groups, the Korean studio that animates The Simpsons, and, of course, the international megastar actor and singer Rain." "Fully indexed, with 16 color pages and 64 photographs."--Jacket Cover Page Title Page Copyright Content Introduction Korean History: A Primer Modern Pop Culture A Note on Korean Language Acknowledgments POP Goes Korea 1 1 The Deal Saving the Cinema CJ Entertainment: A Pre-History The Foundation Making Movies The Rise of the Multiplex The Modern CJ Entertainment 2 The Blockbuster Getting Started First Steps A Commercial Revolution Just a Fluke? Building a Bigger Blockbuster A Culture of Hits 3 The Film Festival Preceding PIFF Finding a Patron The First PIFF From Film Fans to Film Making 4 The Actor and The TV Drama. French, Religion, and Other WhimsMaking Airwaves-TV Begins in Korea Trying Out Out of the Frying Pan Stepping Up 5 The Music Mogul Schoolhouse Rock Living in America Prelude to a Revolution The Rise of SM Entertainment Facing the Music 6 The Music Thieves Cyber Simmering Let the Sea Make a Noise Free as a Bird Going Legit 7 The Thin Black Line Early Cartoons The Modern Comic Book Era The Animation Divide Comics in the Internet Age Artistic License Conclusion Waving Goodbye Pop Goes the World Index. South Korea came from nowhere in the 1990s to become one of the biggest producers of pop content (movies, music, comic books, TV dramas, online gaming) in Asia, indeed in the world. This book looks at the rapid success of an industry noted for keeping one step ahead of developing technologies