"When You Turn on the TV, Korean Dramas Are Everywhere; Taiwan Says 'We Helped a Lot' but Things Have Changed Now"

Taiwan "Helped Hallyu by importing Korean dramas in the past"
"Now it's time to change the trend... Feeling the emergence of Taiwanese directors"

The Minister of Culture of Taiwan claimed that the Korean Wave is declining and that it is now Taiwan's turn for the 'Taiwan Wave (Taeryu)'.

Li Yuan, Minister of Culture of Taiwan.
[Image source=Captured from Taiwan Central News Agency]

On the 25th, local media including China Times reported that Minister Li Yuan made these remarks during a press interview marking one month since his inauguration the previous day. Minister Li opened by saying, "Taiwan has really helped the Korean Wave a lot." He explained that in the 2000s, the Taiwanese TV industry purchased all Korean dramas, and if you turned on the TV at 8 p.m., it was covered with Korean dramas. He added, "In the past, Taiwanese dramas and movies lagged about 20 years behind Korea, but recently the atmosphere in Taiwan is changing," and asserted, "The Korean Wave (Hallyu) is declining. Now it is time for the Taiwan Wave (Taeryu)."

Minister Li added that Taiwan has cultural strengths compared to Korea. He emphasized, "I feel firsthand that many middle-aged and young Taiwanese directors are emerging," and said, "It is time to change the 'trend' of buying Korean dramas." He announced plans to introduce the 'Seungpungparang (乘風破浪, Riding the Wind and Breaking the Waves)' project to support Taiwanese directors. He added that through this project, excellent works on various themes created by Taiwanese directors will be showcased this year.

Minister Li also emphasized again that Taiwanese films and TV programs will enter another golden age, noting that Taiwanese cinema gained attention with director Wei Te-sheng's 2008 film "Cape No. 7" (Haijiao 7 Hao).