CJ Entertainment
The Korean government puts together an annual survey report on the influence of the Korean wave overseas and the 2023 edition has recently been released!
The report uses survey results from 25,000 Hallyu consumers from 26 countries. These countries include the US, Brazil, Argentina, the United Kingdom (UK), France, Turkey, Russia, China, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Australia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Mexico, Canada, Germany, Italy, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Kazakhstan. The survey was conducted online from November 11th to December 7th.
The participants chose their favorite Korean movie and here are the overall results down below!
1. "Parasite" (9.1%)
CJ Entertainment
It might not be a surprise, but "Parasite" takes the number one spot on the list. The film was revolutionary upon release and premiered in 2019. Despite being a few years since its initial run, the film continues to dominate international markets and has a firm hold on the attention of fans everywhere. The film was directed by star director Bong JoonHo and filled by a talented cast which included Cho YeoJeong, Park SoDam, Choi WooShik, Lee SunKyun, Kang HoSong, and Lee JungEun. The film highlighted the intense gap between the rich and the poor. This nuanced commentary struck a chord with many and resonated with viewers even until today.
2. "Train To Busan" (6.9%)
Next Entertainment World
At number two on the list comes another internationally acclaimed film, "Train To Busan". On the surface, it might seem like another zombified action thriller, but the film is wrought with an array of different emotions. With a cast consisting of the likes of Gong Yoo, Ma DongSeok, Jung YuMi, Choi WooShik, and An SoHee, it shouldn't be a surprise that this film is still loved by many, 7 years later. Although the characters were fighting for their survival, they still managed to hold onto their humanity and provide viewers with a sense of hope for a better tomorrow. Many latched onto this unforgettable sentiment and continue to carry the lessons learned from "Train to Busan" into the present day.
3. "Carter" (2.5%)
Netflix
"Carter" joins the list at number 3. "Carter" is a true action thriller that gets audience's blood pumping right until the very end. The chaos and fear felt through the movie hits close to home, as the film is set in the middle of a deadly pandemic caused by a virus. Although, in the case of "Carter", their pandemic has the survival of humanity hanging in the balance, as the characters in the film come face to face with zombie-like creatures, who were once human. At the core of the film is legendary actor Joo Won. He plays the charismatic main character of the film who also serves as the story's hero. There's something special about courageous heroes. Combine this with the thrill of fighting zombies, it makes sense that "Carter" caught the attention of overseas fans everywhere.
4. "Hunt" (2.0%)
Festival de Cannes
"Hunt" comes onto the list at number 4. With two "Squid Game" actors in Lee JungJae and Heo SungTae being part of the cast, it makes sense that oversea fans would show interest in the film. However, aside from the two cast members and their "Squid Game" fame, the film is a theatrical masterpiece. It's filled with action and suspense that grabs hold of the audience's attention. "Hunt" is a film that will keep you at the edge of your seat, wondering how many twists and turns one movie can hold.
5. "20th Century Girl" (1.8%)
Netflix
"20th Century Girl" comes in at number 5 and is the most different from all the other films on the list. The Netflix exclusive film employs a cast that includes Kim YouJung, Roh YoonSeo, Park JungWoo, and Byeon WooSeok. It's different in that it's the only romance film on the list. It sends audiences on a nostalgic trip back in time to the year 1999. While it might be set in the past, one theme that remains a timeless classic is love. And what better love to explore than the love of a high school romance. The heart-fluttering romance attracted many oversea fans to watch the film and choose it as their favorite Korean movie of 2022.
The survey broke it down even further and included the top 5 picks from every country.
translated by Kpopmap.com
If you want to access the original data, you can start from page 88 of this pdf.
The impact of "Train to Busan" and "Parasite" remain evident, even years after each film's respective release. These films have remained in the top 5 for every country surveyed, despite the amount and rising caliber of films that have come out in the past year alone. A majority of results have the two films in the top 2, with more variance in terms of standings for "Train to Busan", sometimes dropping to the no. 5 position.
The amount of attention "Train to Busan" and "Parasite" have brought to Korean cinema cannot be underestimated. The success of these two movies paved the way for more Korean films to enter the global market on streaming platforms such as Netflix. This can be seen through films like "#Alive", "20th Century Girl", and "Carter" making it onto the list of various countries. What these films have in common is being distributed by Netflix internationally, making their way into homes on a global scale.
It is still unknown whether a film of "Train To Busan" and "Parasite" caliber will come into the spotlight anytime soon. But fans of Korean entertainment and films are surely waiting for that day to come.
Did you expect any of these films to be part of the top 5 list for these surveyed countries? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
If you want to read more about the data released on that survey. Check the articles below:
Government Annual Survey Reveals Top 5 Favorite K-Dramas Selected By Overseas Fans In 2022KDRAMA STORIES Mar 13, 2023
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