Is hallyu guidebook censorship?

By Chung Min-uck

Entertainment industry representatives are worried that a guidebook on spreading "hallyu" or the Korean wave, which is being prepared by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT), may act as a form of censorship.

A ministry official said that its "Guideline for Overseas Hallyu" will be distributed to entertainment companies and broadcasters by next month.

The book consists of information compiled from over 150 missions of the ministry in what its officials claim the guidelines provide a systematic approach in promoting the Korean wave and expect to further boost the business worth $300 million.

However, industry people are anxious the guidelines might later lead to restrictions on entertainment businesses operating overseas.

"The supportive role of the government in the early stage of the hallyu boom has had positive effects", said an official from CJ E&M, one of the leading entertainment companies here, on condition of anonymity. "But after crossing the critical point, the government's involvement can have negative effects".

According to a ministry official, MOFAT helped reduce the cost of a joint K-pop concert with broadcaster KBS in March in Hanoi, Vietnam, to one-sixth of its original cost using the embassy's network with government officials there. The Vietnamese counterpart originally offered 2.4 billion won for the concert which would have thwarted the entire project.

But, industry sources say hallyu is starting to find the strength to grow on its own which reduces the role of the government.

"The guidebook sounds good under the condition that it only serves as giving updated information on various nations", said an official from YG Entertainment asking for anonymity.

"The guidebook is improper as it could later serve as grounds for the government to restrict the entertainment business, in which the competitiveness basically stems from freedom of thought", said the CJ E&M official.

In fact, the book contains few guidelines that can be seen as restrictions and rather offers information.

In case of a certain district in Japan, it states "disorderly behavior in making contracts can water down Korea's image and thus a more discrete attitude is essential".

Concerning Kazakhstan, it writes companies and broadcasters "need governmental support for hallyu to enhance the development of the strategic relationship of the two countries".

Experts believe the government should stop intervening as there are more cons than pros.

"No country reacts positively to another nation's culture entering their own, especially when it sounds like propaganda", said Won Yong-jin, a journalism professor at Sogang University in Seoul. "The government is not an expert in this field. A cultural flow is something natural. Having more foreigners get a taste of Korean culture is more effective when it is voluntary. From this perspective, the government's move doesn't seem quite right".

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