This image, provided by tvN, shows scenes from “Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha,” which became popular in India.
SEOUL, March 7 (Korea Bizwire) — Korean dramas have become increasingly popular in India, according to a report from the British national broadcaster BBC on Monday.
The report states that the genre mixing, exaggerated romance and bold heroines in Korean dramas are similar to Indian Bollywood dramas, which have contributed to their popularity among Indian audiences.
The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the Korean drama craze in India, as people have accessed video streaming sites such as Netflix and indulged in popular K-dramas from the comfort of their homes.
In 2020, the number of Korean dramas on Netflix in India increased by more than 370 percent compared to the previous year.
Korean and Indian dramas are known for their strength in melodrama, which is said to capture women’s hearts by portraying a somewhat exaggerated romance.
This undated file photo shows cars produced by Hyundai Motor Co. waiting to be exported on a dock in Ulsan, 414 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (Yonhap)
India is also becoming an important export market for the Korean auto industry. With sluggish sales in China and Russia, India has emerged as a new key region for the Hyundai Motor Group’s global business.
In January, Hyundai Motor Co. and its affiliate Kia Corp. set a new monthly sales record in India, selling a total of 78,740 units, up 24.3 percent from the same period last year.
Models that were discontinued in Korea in 2019, such as the Accent – are also drawing attention in India.
Hyundai Motor Group plans to unveil a completely redesigned model of the compact sedan Accent in India, where the model is called the Verna, later this month.
The Times of India recently reported a closed-door photo (spy shot) taken in South Korea, evaluating the design of the model as “showing a retrofuture.”
Attention is now focused on whether the Korean Wave will continue in India, from Korean dramas to Korean cars.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
