The untold story of the Korean film industry

• Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies
• GGP: Global Governance Programme

This conference will examine the effects of the elimination of the protectionist measures such as import quota, screen quota, and the limited use of subsidies in the Korean film industry.

Today Korean cultural industries are among the most dynamic in the world, and the film industry makes no exception. However, if many people are now aware of Korean successes at international music charts or international film festivals, very few realise that these results rely on industrial successes built on systematic business efforts and a prudent film policy which differs markedly from the protectionist film policies used by many countries, especially in Europe.

The first session of this seminar will compare the Korean film industry and the industries of five critical countries – China, France, Japan, the UK and the US. Covering a long period – from 1980 to 2018 – it shows that the Korean industry has first caught up, then outperformed its European counterparts in almost every dimension, including in terms of the average quality of the films. The second session will present the unique balance between dynamic, risk-taking business strategies, and public policy. In particular, it will examine the effects of the elimination of the protectionist measures such as import quota, screen quota, and the limited use of subsidies. All these aspects are in sharp contrast with European countries.

Discussants will allow broadening the scope of these issues by adopting a more 'cultural-centred' approach and by integrating them in the universe of digital trade restrictions.

All sessions will be hybrid with speakers that are on-site or online.