Asia, top destination for Korean TV programs exported

With the spread of the Asiawide boom of South Korean pop culture, countries in the continent accounted for 95 percent of South Korea's exports of broadcasting programs, such as TV dramas and documentaries, in 2014, a government report said Thursday.

Korea's total exports of broadcasting programs came to US$256.28 million in 2014, a 7.0 percent increase from the previous year's $239.43 million, according to a report by the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning, and the Korea Communications Commission.

The report said Korea's exports to Asian countries stood at 94.8 percent of the total exports with $242.97 million, up from 94.3 percent and $241.8 million in 2013.

The broadcasting programs were exported by terrestrial broadcasting channels, including KBS, MBC, SBS and EBS, and program providers.

Specifically, the terrestrial broadcasters' exports to Asian countries largely grew to reach $241.8 million in 2014 from $177.15 in 2013.

In the same year, the terrestrial broadcasters' exports to Japan stood at $67.88 million, Hong Kong $48.78 million, China $43.21 million, Taiwan $14.11 million, Thailand $11.30 million and Vietnam $7.24 million.

The program providers' exports to China stood at $13.72 million, Japan $11.14 million, Hong Kong $3.92 million, Thailand $3.39 million and Vietnam $1.80 million.

Besides these countries, the broadcasting programs were also exported to other Asian countries -- Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.

Worldwide, the programs were also exported to the United States and South American countries, Europe, Australia and some African countries.

Exports of TV dramas decreased, but documentaries, light entertainment and other programs increased, according to the report. (Yonhap)