Asian Junkie Asian pop. Without discretion.
A few months ago there were reports that China would put tighter restrictions on Korean idols due to political reasons (THAAD), but none of that seemed to have much effect on anything so far. However, recent reports say that now a ban on Korean entertainment is officially underway.
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“Although the prohibition has not been made official, the report states that Korean dramas, films, variety programs, and remakes will be banned from broadcast in China.
Some of the restrictions reportedly outlined in the prohibition are:
-A ban on Korean organizations filming in Korea.
-A ban on investing in new Korean agencies.
-A ban on Korean idol concerts with over 10,000 audience members.
-A ban on Korean-Chinese collaborative projects.
-A ban on broadcasting dramas with Korean actors.
These bans include satellite broadcasts and online video sites.”
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Furthermore, it appears that commercials involving Korean celebrities will no longer be broadcasted on television as well.
To anybody who follows politics in the region, China being petty like this isn’t a surprise, though I’m sure their apologists will try to rationalize it one way or another. For me, though, the only surprise is that instead of a ban they didn’t just make Korean celebrities who want to work in China denounce THAAD personally and kowtow to the Chinese government in a video.
We’ll see what long-term effect this ends up having, if any, assuming it’s actually enforced. It’s a general and unofficial ban, likely specifically so it can be used selectively, which is arguably worse.
