MBC America Starts VOD Services with 'Dae Jang Geum' and 'Hotelier'

Starting November 20th, the U.S. branch of Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), MBC America (MBC America) will start an internet VOD service of internationally renowned 'Drama Kingdom' MBC television series through Google Video. 'Dae Jang Geum(Jewel In the Palace)', 'Hotelier', 'Love Truly', 'Dr. Gang', 'Did We Really Love?', 'Super Rookie', 'Goong(Palace)',

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) November 18, 2006 -- Starting November 20th, the U.S. branch of Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), MBC America (MBC America) will start an internet VOD service of internationally renowned 'Drama Kingdom' MBC television series through Google Video.

This service comes as a result of the overnight popularity of MBC dramas in not only Japan, but also all parts of Asia. The target audience for this service is the Asian American population of 20 million living in North America. The attractive quality of this service is the fact that along with English subtitles, Chinese, Japanese, and other languages will be offered for immigrants who have not yet grasped the English language.

Especially significant is that Google Video (video.google.com), which is under the world's best known internet search engine, Google, will provide this upcoming VOD service. Since Google is known to everyone as the most famous website in the world, there are expectations for its competitive edge to become a huge influence in the spread of Korean dramas in America.

The dramas that will be serviced through Google will start with 'Dae Jang Geum(Jewel In the Palace)' and 'Hotelier', which represents the Hallyu(Korean wave). Other works which were not only famous in Korea and in several Asian markets, but also widely known in America are 'Love Truly', 'Dr. Gang', 'Did We Really Love?', 'Super Rookie', 'Goong(Palace)', and etc. There will be seven dramas including the aforementioned, which are planned to be serviced in sequence. As a result of the ability to service the contents of Korean entertainment culture in the American market, the immense popularity that created the Hallyu in Asia is hoped to cross over to the North American market through the internet.

Especially 'Dae Jang Geum' and 'Hotelier' are best and most famous works of the Hallyu, and 'Dae Jang Geum' is a drama which made the main actress, Lee Young Ae and her costars the stars of the Hallyu overnight. In the year of 2003, it set an amazing record of 57.8% of viewers, and created a 'Jang Geum syndrome'. Even when it approached its finale, it boasted of over 48% of viewer ratings. 'Dae Jang Geum' also continued to broadcast in Japan, China, and Hong Kong, and at one point in Hong Kong, viewer ratings of 87% was recorded. It has the average viewer ratings of 47%, the highest record in the history of average ratings, and is beloved all over the world.

'Hotelier' is a work that stars the current most popular Hallyu star, Bae Yong Joon, also known as 'Yon-sama,' and Kim Seung Woo, Song Hye Gyo, and Song Yoon Ah. This work shows that the hoteliers striving to provide the best of services in an extravagant hotel setting. The story draws tantalizing situations about their everyday life, love, and the battles between the entrepreneurs. Especially, 'Hotelier' presents Bae Yong Joon's cold and rational charisma, which made this drama become a stepping stone for him to achieve the top star status of the Hallyu.

The start of MBC's internet VOD service is expected accelerate and diversify the merging of television broadcast and internet. Significant is that the content is a result of the users' demands and not a one way presentation by the provider. This service is expected to play a role in introducing and distributing Korean content to the American market and expand the fan base of Korean drama series in America.

###