East Asia’s cultural economies are bridging politics-driven divides
The cross-border penetration and appeal of cultural products throughout and beyond East Asia is making openings beyond traditional diplomacy
Amid tensions over Seoul’s military alliance with the United States and other issues, G-Dragon featured in eight McDonald’s products across more than 8,000 outlets in mainland China. The penetration and appeal of Korean cultural icons show how transnational consumer demand for cultural products and figureheads creates openings beyond traditional diplomacy.
These trends are particularly evident in Japan and South Korea. Despite prolonged tensions over historical and territorial disputes, the Japanese animated film Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of the Mermaid Island dominated South Korea’s box office, generating 42.7 per cent of ticket revenue and more than 1.8 million admissions in the first three weeks of its screening.
