Japanese Women Becoming Obsessed with South Korean TV Dramas.

(From Journal of Japanese Trade & Industry (JJTI))

Byline: Kurosawa Tsuneo

A South Korean TV drama series is on the verge of demolishing the spiritual barrier that has existed between Japan and South Korea. It may sound a bit of an overstatement but given middle-aged Japanese women's infatuation with "Winter Sonata" starring Bae Yong Joon, or "Yong-sama" as he is affectionately known in Japan, I take it to be possible.

"Winter Sonata" has succeeded in capturing the hearts of middle-aged women nationwide. Not satisfied with merely watching the show, many are going out of their way to travel to South Korea and visit location sites or even start learning Korean. It can be said that the rift between the two nations is closing psychologically with the aid of the program.

"Winter Sonata" depicts a love story about two high school sweethearts who were separated and then reunited 10 years later by a chance meeting. The drama, which scored huge ratings in South Korea, has repeatedly been aired in Japan, where it has enjoyed a large following since 2003.

When Bae arrived at New Tokyo International Airport last November on a promotional tour, some 3,500 screaming fans, mostly women in their 40s and 50s, greeted him, many carrying large portraits of their heartthrob. Such scenes were repeatedly televised, leading to the fans themselves stealing the public spotlight.

On the opening day of an exhibition of Bae's photographs, hundreds of women flocked to the entrance of the hotel where Bae was staying. When he came out of the entrance a stampede occurred as fans tried to catch a glimpse of the actor, and several were injured. When asked at a news conference later why, even though confusion was anticipated, he openly left through the entrance ...