한국과 중국의 문화콘텐츠 해외진출 전략 연구- 정부의 역할 비교를 중심으로 -

Abstract

This article focuses on the fact that from a governmental perspective Korea and China are striving to propel their cultural contents abroad, and it assesses the purpose of the overseas expansion of cultural contents by both governments. It also examines the attributes of the cultural contents in both countries and what contents are actually being distributed overseas. China has continued to exert influence over the world by spreading its traditional culture and values within the international community and has endeavored to improve its national image and reputation by expanding its cultural contents overseas. Contrastingly, Korea, unlike China, did not encourage the Korean government to spread its cultural contents overseas from the beginning. Rather, the Korean government only discovered the possibility of expansion overseas after the international boom of Korean culture (the Korean wave) and helped to expand the scope of the Korean wave by providing active support. The Chinese government aspires for cultural contents including Chinese values to be developed overseas to apply China’s impact in the global community and enhance its national image. Although classical historical dramas and Kung Fu action material based on traditional culture and history were depicted in movies and television dramas that were exported overseas, the volume of export were much lower than expected. In the case of Korea, the Korean government was deeply dissatisfied that the exposure of cultural contents overseas was primarily based on modern Korean dramas and dance music and not traditional culture. However, since the mid-2000s, with the increasing prevalence of non-traditional ‘mixed nature’ based cultural contents, the government’s role has shifted so that it was to give respect and provide support and not to interfere with it. In order to dismiss concerns about China’s nationalization in the international community, the Chinese government aims to spread cultural contents containing the essence of Chinese people overseas. However, this strategy carries an inherent risk of creating another “Chinese threat” from other countries’ perspectives. Just as China tried to prevent the invasion of Western culture to ensure national cultural stability and after joining the WTO, it is equally possible for other countries to develop their own judgement of China’s cultural stability. Numerous Korean studies published in China regard the “Korean wave” policy developed by the Korean government as a successful example of its attempt to expand cultural contents overseas, and China also insists that the government should strengthen its capacities and responsibilities. However, it is necessary for China to recognize the role of the Korean government it not to interfere with the autonomy of the industry and the market, but to respect and it provide active support.