To inform entertain and excite my kids, Jamie, Patrick, Aaron & Sarah Middleburgh, our family and friends.
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In keeping however with the intent, I think it is worth mentioning the impact of Korea on Hong Kong aka the Kimchi effect
You would have thought that Hong Kong would be preoccupied with mainland affairs; the Acting Chief Executive's Bow Ties and what he can or can not do over the next two years.
NOT SO
The key concern for many in the territory is what will happen next in " The Jewel in the Palace" . This is a 54 part Korean TV series (?70 in HK) which is politically correct with a heroine who overcomes hardships and prevails. Coincidently in the battle for the TV ratings the opposing channel has been forced to screen "The Legendary Policewoman" whose creditials are equally Korean and PC .... but which is only 14 episdodes long.
This Korean cultural assault has serious ramifications ie in my case if there is a viewing clash I have to video "my program" and see it "later" and I am subject to immediate expulsion orders if I ask for concurrent translations (there are no english subtitles) In fact normal conversation is suspended. I am sure variations of this are occuring all over HK. Fortunately video rental shops stock the series so that in an emergency a missed episode can be seen. We have just realised that the DVD versions (but not VCDs) have English subtitles so I am planning a serious catch up session myself.
NB The Korean Tourist Board is seriously capitalizing on the series see hereClearly an opportunity to promote Sudan 1 free Kimchi big time.
Korean cinema films are also popular in HK (production values/plots etc are suprisingly good) and they are a nice counterbalance to local/chinese films
The following is a list of the Korean films that I have seen
My Sassy Girl 2001 | Excellent |
Marrying the Mafia 2002 | This and following appealed to my sense of humour |
My Wife's a Gangster 2001 | |
The Classic 2003 | This and following done by same director as "Sassy" |
Windstruck 2004 | |
My Tutor Friend 2003 | |
Memories of Murder 2003 | Based on a true murder in Korea |
Shiri 1999 | This and following are Korean cold war films |
Joint Security Area 2000 | |
Musa 2001 | Martial arts |
The Way Home 2002 | different |
Additionally Channel V and the local TV stations air Korean pop music and videos which I also think are surprisingly good. (but can I find a decent site to link to - not a chance)
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