한‧중 콘텐츠 교역의 공진화 과정 및 방향에 관한 탐색적 고찰

Abstract

Purpose: With regard to the issue of content trade between South Korea and China following the latter’s ban on Korean culture, this study sought to shed light on how content trade between the two countries has evolved, rather than on how such development can be interpreted from the political point of view. Furthermore, it intends to set out future directions, emphasizing the need for a renewed relationship between the two countries. Composition/Logic: To this end, this study examined the process of development of content trade between Korea and China and future directions thereof from the perspective of the co-evolution theory. In particular, the study pointed out that the trade had moved away from its initial dependency and toward competitive co-evolution, and it needed to evolve into cooperative co-evolution over time. Findings: Based on cooperative co-evolution, three possible approaches for designing comprehensive co-evolution models were discussed as a future direction of content trade between Korea and China. These are mutual, market-tailored co-evolution; complementary value chain co-evolution; and joint market entry portfolio-type co-evolution. Through these, new content trade can probably be developed. Originality/Value: The earlier discussions treated the content trade between the two countries only in terms of economic effects of the Korean content industry and cultural phenomenon known as hallyu (the Korean Wave). However, this study looked at the trade from mutual perspectives, including the perspective of China, a trading partner. In particular, the study sought to explain the past and present of the bilateral content trade based on the co-evolution theory, and to set out future directions.