Something about Korean journalism

A delegation of the Vietnam Journalists Association visited South Korea in early November 2023 to exchange ideas and practices to integrate digital solutions in media products.

South Korea, famous for its kimchi, soju and amazing landscapes, is also widely known for the achievements in information and technology as well as communication.

Local newspaper Etoday, founded in 2006, produces more than 400 articles each day with only 100 employees and writers. Classified into 14 departments, the paper publishes stories about economic and financial activities in Korea, especially the stock market and real estate.

Despite small size, Etoday has a large number of regular readers and subscribers. According to the editor-in-chief Dong Min Shin, print paper brings about 70% of the total revenue, while e-paper income accounts for 30%.

Nguyen Duc Loi, Vice President of the Vietnam Journalists Association (right), presents a gift to the Editor-in-Chief of Etoday newspaper. Photo: Minh Tu

Income from e-paper may take up 50% of the office’s total revenue in the future, the editor-in-chief said, adding that Etoday looks forward to receiving support from Vietnamese partners to host a Vietnam-Korea economic forum in Vietnam.

MBC TV is one of the three largest broadcasters in South Korea, employing more than 2,000 people and covering an area of 20 soccer stadiums. The private media company is the producer of many popular movies and shows that are familiar to Vietnamese viewers, including Dae Jang Geum series screened in Vietnam early 2000s.

MBC TV declares its intention to expose the truth and fight for a better life. The media firm once reported a controversial statement by the Korean president. After the report, MBC and its reporters have been banned from following the Government’s leader when he travels abroad.

All studios of MBC are of the highest quality, and most of the equipment are imported from Japan and the US in respect of international standards. With their stories published on both TVs and social network platforms, MBC remains a power amidst fierce competition between traditional media and social media because it receives many new subscribers each year.

Worthy investment in entertainment sector

South Korean media companies and authorities have spent a lot to develop their entertainment activities. CJ ENM in April 2022 put its 13^th filming studio into official operation. The latest studio is among the company’s large-scale indoor and outdoor studios that are worth hundreds of billions of Vietnamese dong.

According to CJENM deputy director Jae Hyung Kang, more than 30 movies and music videos have been filmed inside the studio.

Other remarkable projects include Haneul (Sky) Park in capital Seoul. The modern park is built on the place that used to be a junk yard and oil terminal. It now becomes an attraction to many Koreans and international visitors.

From an abandoned place, now oil containers, warehouses, and junk yard host art performances and sport events. Visitors can walk up the hills with a lot of trees and flowers as well as check-in locations in the style of installation art. From the park, tourists can see the metropolis being lightened by skyscrapers in nightfall.

A studio operated by CJENM entertainment group. Photo: Minh Tu

It’s obvious to see that South Korea now outclasses other countries in entertainment and culture. Pop band Blackpink has completed their world tour. After two nights in Hanoi, the band earned some US$13 million, which is half of Vietnam’s total expected income from art performances set for 2030.

It is now a valuable time for Vietnam to learn from international practices in promoting cultural values and fostering the entertainment industry. Great achievements can be made from the very simple, basic ideas.

“The relations between Vietnam South Korea are now at the peak,” said Vietnamese Ambassador to South Korea Nguyen Vu Tung at the meeting with the delegates of the Vietnam Journalists Association.

“Media agencies of both countries should work hard to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two nations, thus opening a new era for further bilateral development.”

Nguyen Duc Loi, head of the delegation, also the association’s standing vice chairman, said that the trip is a valuable chance for Vietnamese journalists to learn new skills and improve writings and performances to meet the demand of people in the new era.

Minh Tu - Huy Anh