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[HanCinema's Digest] Culture Corner

A new TV show probes first-time visitors about their experience, the BBC compares the difference between North and South Korea in nine charts, the country's largest studio (Studio Cube) is set to propel the K-wave into the future, and are celebrities and other stars postponing their military duties?

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"7 out of 10 Korean stars putting off military duties"

Every able-bodied Korean male must serve in the military, but many of the country's top male entertainers are, however, delaying their duty. Why? "Although it is customary for Korean males to enlist in their early 20s, most celebrities start their military service in their late 20s or early 30s. This gives them time to establish a name for themselves before the two-year hiatus". Are you, like some Koreans, suspicious of celebrities and athletes postponing their duties? Are their talents being put to good use through their careers? Is it okay to delay serving? Let us know in the comment section below...

…READ ON THE KOREA HERALD

"TV shows give fresh insight into Korea through eyes of foreign visitors"

Interested in what first-time visitors to Korea think of the food, entertainment, history and culture? "Welcome! First Time in Korea?" is a new reality show that seeks to do just that: "While many Korean reality shows travel outside Korea to show how people around the world live, the objective of ' Welcome ' is to show how exotic Korea can be to foreigners", writes Rumy Doo. In this post on The Korea Herald, you hear about some of the show's first guests, as well as how other variety shows in Korea have been welcoming to foreigners. "It's interesting to see the unique perspectives through which they view Korea", said producer Moon Sang-don.

…READ ON THE KOREA HERALD

"Nine charts which tell you all you need to know about North Korea"

Statistics on North Korea are hard to come by; the state is secretive and it's difficult to acquire accurate information about the lives and opinions of its citizens. The information that is available, however, paints a telling tale, especially when compared to its more advanced neighbours. In this post on the BBC, you'll get a statistical comparison between North and South Korea in terms of their leadership history, mobile phone subscriptions, coal production, the state of their national roads, the height of its citizens, and other telling points of comparison. Did you know, for example, that South Koreans live on average 14 years longer than North Koreans? Let us know what facts surprised you the most in the comment section below.


…READ ON BBC

"S. Korea's largest film studio opens doors to support Hallyu"

After two years of construction, and at a cost of $70.23 million, South Korea's largest film studio is now open for business. And business there shall be. According to studio officials, Studio Cube (which is twice as big as the Wonbang Studio in Gyeonggi Province) has already been "flooded" by calls from television stations and the film industry at large for around 20 movies and dramas in 2018. "We'll also consider turning sets for films and dramas to be shot here into tourist attractions through consultations with their production companies", said the Korea Creative Content Agency's content promotion officer, Lee Young-jae. The new, state-of-the-art facilities "will enhance the competitiveness of domestic TV dramas, in particular, which stands at the center of the Asianwide boom of Korean pop culture known as Hallyu".

…READ ON THE KOREA HERALD

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