Looking Back with the Korean Wave Specialists! The History of the Korean Wave Boom

Everyone, do you like Korean Wave programs?

Recently, masterpiece dramas like "Call It Love" and "Marry My Husband" have become hot topics, and at the 74th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, a record-breaking six K-POP groups captivated audiences with their spectacular performances.

This time, we interviewed past and present SKY PerfecTV! Korean Wave specialists to look back on the history of the Korean Wave boom in Japan.

The Korean Wave boom that started with "Winter Sonata"

The beginning of the Korean Wave boom dates back to the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Because it was co-hosted by Japan and South Korea, people's interest in Korean culture grew, and professional ties were also strengthened.

The following year, in 2003, NHK-BS2 began broadcasting "Winter Sonata." This work was one of the "Four Seasons Series" created by director Yoon Seok-ho with the theme of the four seasons, and the romantic and fateful pure love story, which was not common in Japan at the time, became a huge hit. Even those who have never seen the work likely remember the "Yonsama Fever" that swept the nation, centered mainly on women in their 60s and older at the time. SKY PerfecTV! held the "SKY PerfecTV! Bae Yong-joon Festival" (2009) to commemorate the opening of DATV (which ceased broadcasting in 2021), and spent three months screening his works and holding events for his visits to Japan.

The impact of the hit "Winter Sonata" was significant, and KNTV, which was broadcasting programs for Korean residents in Japan at the time, increased its Korean Wave programming with Japanese subtitles. Furthermore, around this time, KBS and Mnet opened in Japan, and LaLa TV and Satellite Theater began scheduling many Korean dramas, making it possible to watch Korean dramas domestically.
Programs that gained popularity at the time included the historical drama "Lee San" (MBC, broadcast domestically on Satellite Theater) and "We Got Married" (MBC, broadcast domestically on KNTV), which has been distributed on ABEMA in recent years. The enthusiasm for Korean dramas was high, and SKY PerfecTV! even produced and broadcast the original Korean drama "Someday in Paradise."

K-POP groups fill the Budokan!

Around the same time, the exposure of K-POP groups in Japan also increased.
In 2006, to commemorate the opening of Mnet, Mnet's popular program M Countdown was held in Japan, and Shinhwa and TVXQ, who were gaining popularity at the time, visited Japan. Fans filled the Budokan.

Furthermore, TVXQ also appeared on the 2008 NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen. Coupled with the entry of BIGBANG, SUPER JUNIOR, Girls' Generation, and others, K-POP popularity grew even further. (When Girls' Generation graced the cover of Monthly SKY PerfecTV! Korean Wave Pia, messages like "Congratulations!" were sent in from fans!)

When EXO made their domestic debut in 2015, K-POP became even more exciting, and the fan base expanded to those in their 20s and 30s.
To boost K-POP, SKY PerfecTV! employees even coordinated in advance as photographers for the K-POP music awards ceremony, MAMA AWARDS, to position themselves in front of the red carpet, photograph BTS, Block B, and EXO, and spread the images on Twitter (now X). The response was high, and since then, we have continued to actively post about local events on social media, such as the MAMA AWARDS, KCON, and the Golden Disc Awards.
At the time, there was a trend of broadcasters handling Korean Wave programs working together to boost the industry, and the fact that the true faces of K-POP idols began to be seen on variety shows like "Knowing Bros" also helped, leading to a steady rise in K-POP popularity.
With K-POP stars like BTS and TWICE as an entry point, interest in Korean culture itself, such as cosmetics and gourmet food, expanded rapidly, involving the younger generation.

Hot topics on streaming services!

2020. Partly due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the love for Korean dramas and K-POP expanded further through streaming services.
Thanks to hit works like "Crash Landing on You," "Itaewon Class," and "Squid Game," the number of hit works watched by people who had never encountered Korean Wave programs before increased.

SKY PerfecTV! also received many responses to Korean Wave programs, such as the drama "The Red Sleeve," which depicts the love story between King Lee San of the Joseon Dynasty and a court lady, BTS's live concert in Busan, the close coverage of PENTAGON's trip in PENTATOUR, and Leeteuk's appearance in a virtual arena.

Korean Wave programs captivate people with their sophisticated performances and elaborate storytelling. Behind the scenes, there were Korean Wave specialists who tried to boost the programs as one. In this article, we introduced some of the initiatives of the Korean Wave specialists, but there are many other wide-ranging initiatives we have carried out to convey the charm of the Korean Wave.

SKY PerfecTV! will continue to broadcast and stream attractive Korean Wave programs! Please enjoy them.

(Interview/Text: Yama)

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