Epilogue

Hopefully, through this blog, our readers will be able to understand the Korean and Malaysian perspectives. It has been a good experience as we work on finishing this blog and we enjoy every moment of it. To end this journey, here's our conclusion. 


BAEK EUNSOL - Wrote about Korean TV programs

I searched the sources and wrote the posts with my favorite TV programs. I know that some Asian country has Korean TV channel, KBS World. Because of that, 'KBS NEWS9', 'Documentary 3 Days' and 'Nationwide talk show, Hello' can be easily shown than other channel programs. After writing all posts, I found something in common with programs that I handled. It is that the programs try to reflect korean cultural features. 'Documentary 3 days' and 'Nationwide talk show, Hello' draw ordinary people's story. Through these program, we can easily understand each other. On the other hand, 'I want to know it', 'Tongue war' and 'Infinite Challenge' want to show our political or social issues. I think that one of the role of press is 'communicate each other'. In our society, there are many people who have different opinion. To live in harmony, we should understand the person who is in opposite side. In this process, press (especially TV contents) impacts greatly. If you guys want to understand korean's life or thoughts, you'd better that watch these programs.

 NURUL NAJWA – Wrote about Malaysian TV programs Malaysian

TV programs are not as famous as Korean TV programs. It has not been exposed to international audiences and we haven’t undergone a cultural exposition much like the Hallyu Wave. In fact, I think it is very unlikely. But then again, I could be wrong. The TV programs in Malaysia portrays the Malaysian culture well. For me, I think that the fact that we have news being broadcasted in four different languages; Malay, English, Chinese and Tamil portrays the fact that we’re a multiracial country and we value and embrace each other’s differences. In terms of entertainment, while most younger generations these days prefer US or Korean dramas and Korean variety shows, when shows like Nur Kasih or Maharaja Lawak gains high ratings, it proves that it is really a high-quality show. It is not common for Malaysian shows to gain that much attention but when it does, we feel very proud it was based and produced in our home country. This resonates with our national slogan, Malaysia Boleh! (Malaysia Can Do It!)

Episode 5: Varieties in Korea

Do you know what is the famous variety show in Korea? 'Running Man' or '1 Night 2 Days'? Many asian people know only those program because asian people can easily watch them. But I'm sure that the famous variety show is 'Infinite Challenge'.

<Infinite Challenge>

Infinite Challenge was started in 2006. The members are Yoo Jae Seok, Park Myeong Soo, Jung Jun Ha, Jung Hyeong Don, No Hong Cheol, and Ha Ha. Just like its name, they always challenge and change the topic each time. They challenged rowing, wrestling, sports dance, cheerleading and so on.   

<Election 2014 : All members act the candidate>

Lately I'm impressed by 'Election 2014' which is one episode of Infinite Challenge. All six members of show announced their candidacy and actually citizen can vote to them. All of them can campaign until the election day. In this process, they satirize behavior of election. For example, one candidate says that "I have no stomach for winning in this election. I run for election to block one candidate's election." His comment can reflect that Lee jung-hee's behavior in last presidential election. She just blocked and blamed for Park geun-hye's pledges. And the other comedian ordered to reply in SNS to some idol stars. It can remind president's comment part-time job. Also sometimes they satirized ferry disaster. When I watched this program, I felt about that emotion of self-deprecation and healing. Every year, we should elect public official, on all such occasions, some scenes are repeated. Candidates go to traditional market and eat a bowl of Gukbap. These are self-portrait of korean politics. 'Infinite challenge' melts them into the comedy and finally it can approach closer to our mind.

Episode 5: Varieties in Malaysia

I think there are probably many variety shows in Malaysia. It's just that I don't watch it as much. There are a few programs that is popular but as far as I'm concerned, it lacked a bit of creativity in making the show entertaining and amusing enough to last for a very long time. 

Most variety shows are singing competitions, comedy shows and cooking programs. The famous ones usually are produced by cable TV and involves text message voting to crown the winner.  

MAHARAJA LAWAK

Maharaja Lawak is a competition for comedians to battle it out each week to claim the prize and title of The Kings of Comedy. It is somewhat a continuation of Raja Lawak, a program that search for the best comedians in Malaysia as the competitors for the Maharaja Lawak is the previously mentioned program alums. Comedians both new and well-known names compete for about 12 weeks and this show gained tremendous amount of attention.

Produced by Astro (Malaysia’s direct broadcast satellite company), the show started in the year 2011 and had been around for 3 seasons. The format for the show is that people can vote for the contestants they like. There are a panel of critics that will critic their performance and affect their voting percentages.

It has been a pop culture phenomenon as it started the whole fascination in comedy in Malaysia. There has been a growing number of reality or competition shows to search for comedians these days. Whether or not it’s good or bad, it definitely made its name in the entertainment industry. Both competitors and winners also gain popularity after joining the program; becoming CF models, actors, hosts and radio DJs.

Maharaja Lawak Mega, which is a program abbreviated from Maharaja Lawak is a program of the same format but involves both veterans and new comedians from three countries, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. Having been around for 3 seasons, it gave a platform for them to show their skills and gain popularity in three countries. In 2012, the program was nominated for the Screen Awards’ Best  Entertainment Program and won the Best Reality Show category.

MASTERCHEF CELEBRITY MALAYSIA

Masterchef Celebrity Malaysia is a spinoff from the cooking show adapted from the original British show, Masterchef. I'm sure it's familiar as it is also available in Australia, USA and even Korea. The Celebrity version though, received more popularity than Masterchef Malaysia program. Maybe that's because the viewers are able to see their favorite celebrities battle it out in the kitchen. 

It had been around for two seasons, the first one started in the year 2012. The celebrities that joined the program to compete consist of singers, actors, TV hosts, film directors and former Miss Malaysia. 

Episode 4: Dramas in Malaysia

Everywhere you go in this world, regardless of which countries, TV dramas are a must. In fact, I think it provides a better view into what a country is like as it not only portrays the nation's culture and background but also what the people's preferences. It provides good entertainment, known for being a form of escapism but at the same time also provides a message and countless moral values. 

Malaysians love to watch dramas, I think as much as they do in Korea. Although, the drama productions are not as flourished as it does in Korea and they're not exported to the rest of the world, gaining international sensations. 

NUR KASIH

Nur Kasih, or in English is translated into The Light of Love was one of the few Malaysian dramas that gain fame across the region in 2009. It was widely received in Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei. The drama had a few religious aspects, which in this case regarding Islam so it is no wonder that it is famous among Muslim populated countries. 

The drama tells the story of two brothers, Adam and Aidil who are both polar opposites; Aidil's the obedient, pious son while Aidil is a lost soul living abroad. At his deathbed, their father's last dying wish was so that Adam marries Nur Amina, the imam's (head of Muslim congregation) daughter. This went against Adam's wishes as he already had a girlfriend in Australia and Nur Amina is just a girl from the countryside. 

The drama revolves around the three characters and discusses about religion, marriage, love and morality. I was one of the many fans this drama garnered throughout the 26 episodes that went on for almost four and a half months. The drama was so successful that it was made into a movie two years later. Not only that, the lead actors became household names in the Malaysian filming industry for their stellar acting and not to mention their real off-screen love affair (didn't last, unfortunately).

The final episode got an estimation of 5 million viewers. The drama also won an award at the annual Screening Awards in 2010. 

Episode 4: Dramas in Korea

I'm serious drama holic. I usually watch K-drama, US TV series and so on indiscriminately. So I'll talk about the drama that I watched. It's 'My love from the star'. It was very sensational and popular when it aired in Korea.

<My love from the star>

'My love from the star' has a storyline that Alien(Kim Soo Hyeon) meet and fall in love with a celebrity(Jeon Ji Hyeon). Kim Soo Hyeon and Jeon Ji Hyeon are hottest actor and actress in Korea. So when they appear the drama, people are already enthusiastic before drama starts. 

<Jeon Ji Hyeon eats Chi-maek in drama>

After it was exported to Asia, it made boom again especially in China. For example, Chinese have waited in line to eat 'Chi-maek' that heroin of the drama ate. (Chi-maek is formed from the words 'Chicken' and 'Beer(Maekju in Korea)'. ) It was reported at the news program. Also clothes, lipstick or hairband Jeon wared was popular to foreigner, so they purchase them in Korean shopping mall sites.

<Kim Soo Hyeon appeared chinese TV program>

Kim Soo Hyeon became a big star not only in Korea but also in China. He appeared the most famous chinese TV program. When he came out, this program recorded the highest viewing rate. After broadcasting, I heard about that he got 500,000 dollars appearance fee. Although it is proud to Korea, it is undesirable thing to China because Chinese capital slips through to Korea. So Chinese broadcasting regulate the time of foreign drama to prevent it. However, through globalization, Chinese can easily watch foreign programs from UCC site such as You-Tube or You-Cu. China can not prevent those foreign sources completely. So I think they should find the way to win-win.

Episode 3: Talk Shows in Korea

Nowadays, in korea, the number of talk show program is declining. As time goes on, people want more exciting and sensational things, because of too much competition in broadcasting. Despite of this situation, there is some programs that is beloved steady. I'll introduce them.

 

<Nationwide talk show, Hello : a woman who has blue eyes discloses her story to audiences>

First program is 'Nationwide talk show, Hello'. This program is one of the famous talk show in korea. The main 4MC introduce others' stories, and they invite the people who are send the story to broadcasting. They show and certify seriousness of agony. After than, the story is evaluated by audiences whether it is really terrible agony or not. This program has unique things beside other talk shows. The main subject is ordinary people who have their own story, not celebrity or MC. Because of that, viewers can heartfully sympathize to them. I think it is a strength of 'Nationwide talk show, Hello'.

<Tongue war, Witch-hunt : popular and interesting talk show of JTBC>

Recently, I'm in interested in talk shows of JTBC. 'Tongue war' usually talk or criticize the political issues and broadcasting contents. On the other hand, 'Witch-hunt' talk and consult about x--rated romance. These are notable talk programs and try to break existing frames. I recommend you to watch them at least once, because these are the hottest programs in recent korea.

Episode 3: Talk Shows in Malaysia

In the mornings, there’s almost nothing on television. That is, if you’re not a fan of talk shows. In the afternoons, most talk shows in Malaysia targets on the female audience, particularly the stay-at-home moms. We don’t have that much talk show program late at night as they do in the US, but there are few that is aired around 11PM. Maybe Malaysians prefer to watch something else because most late night talk shows are short-lived.

In short, talk shows play quite a big part in the Malaysian broadcasting program. This is where they talk about certain issues and I think it’s not that different than any other countries as well.

SOAL JAWAB

Soal Jawab is a spot-on title befitting the program content. In Malay, Soal Jawab means Question and Answer. In this talk show program, two or three panels are invited to talk on current affairs albeit political, nation or economical issue. Basically, it is a program that lets the invited guests to debate on the issue that is greatly discussed about at that time.

It is aired on TV3 every Monday and started in the year 2010. Although the program had not been around for that long, it gained plenty of attention from the viewers as they usually invite high-profile names as guests. In the fifth episode, the Prime Minister of Malaysia was invited as a guest. In some episodes, ministers and officials from different ministries were invited to discuss on issues ranging from transparency, home affairs and law enforcement. This enables the viewers to take a look into the opinions of the lawmakers and enforcers to judge for themselves about their standpoint on a certain issue.

BELLA

Bella is a talk show targeting the female audience ranging from 20 until 50. It is aired on NTV7 and is a woman talk show conducted in English language. The show touches on every things related to women, from fashion, gizmos, finance and beauty. I watched the program when I was on school leave because it airs around 11AM every weekdays.

The show launched in 2011 and is still considered new in Malaysia. Hosted by four hosts (one of them includes former Miss Malaysia) it is a show that celebrates woman. The program also include a Mars vs Venus segment where the guys are invited to offer their opinions on certain topics.

The special feature of this talk show is that, true to its name to celebrate woman, Bella created the first women award show in Malaysia. The first award show started last year where countless woman, either celebrities or not are celebrated, honoured and recognized for their great achievement and inspirational contribution to society.

Episode 2: Documentaries in Malaysia

Call me shallow but documentaries are always not a fun topic to write about. That is why for this entry, I recalled the documentary programs I’ve grown up watching and what has been a fun and memorable way for me to learn and gain information. There has been one or two program that gain good reception for them to last long enough till this day.

Malaysia is as diversified as the people itself so there’s plenty to local documentaries. Some documentary shows only focus on agricultures and some focuses on humanity, portraying the side of the lower class of the Malaysian society. Regardless of the issues, the people and culture, I think that local documentaries has been doing a very good job in capturing the essence of our country. How we live, how things work and how it might be interesting (even for locals).

MAJALAH 3

 Majalah 3 (direct translation in English is Magazine 3) is aired through TV3 – which might explain where the number 3 came from. It was first aired in the year of 1985 where it used to be in 30-minutes format. These days, three different pieces of documentaries that lasts 20 minutes are combined in a one hour show. The documentaries are compiled into the one hour show consisting of pieces that touches on environmental subject or humanity.

I remembered watching Majalah 3 every Saturday at 9PM when I was younger. I basically grew up watching that show and I’m sure most Malaysians my age has watched the show at least once in their lifetime. As the years passed and the hosts change from one another, Majalah 3’s contents started to gradually diversify and the subject documented has grown broader, covering current issues in foreign countries as well. Such issues include the ones in Palestine, natural disasters in Indonesia and Japan.

Majalah 3 received great amount of reception across the nation, quickly becoming one of the shows with the highest percentage of viewers every week. Aside from that, Majalah 3 also received good critical reception. Earlier this year, one of the documentaries which titled ‘Penjaga Khazanah Sabah’ (Sabah’s National Treasurer) won best documentary video through a competition held by the Malaysian Press Institute.

IKS

IKS stands for Industri Kecil dan Sederhana which translates into business premises and small scales industry. It’s one of the efforts done by the government to develop new towns and improve standard of living for people living in rural areas. The government would help with the funding and there’s an agency to watch over their developments.

This TV show, produced by the government broadcasting station, RTM (which I’ve mentioned before in the previous post) is one of the ways to promote IKS to the public. They would go to the small premises or factories and show everything from the behind-the-scenes, interviews and where you can get the products.

It has been helpful as they are small premises and probably can’t compete with manufacturer giants’ ads on TV to get noticed. Through this show, they can gain exposure and some of the products made are of mass production quality.

The IKS chosen to be highlighted in each episode includes premises from agricultural industries, technological industries and food industries. 

Episode 2: Documentaries in Korea

Korean broadcasting shows many contents and programs. Through globalization, K-wave became the one of main stream whole around the world. Especially many Asians are interested in K-drama or variety. But did you know that there are some programs which are more famous than other dramas and varities? From now, I'll introduce Korean documentary and current affairs program. 

3 DAYS 

 First, I'll introduce 'Documentary 3 days'. It is famous that series documentary program. It shows ordinary or extraordinary people's life during 3 days. There is only narration which is external intervention. Staffs do an in-depth reporting to interviewees. Main subject is the interviewees. They can be the police officer, university students or people who are in traditional market and factory. This program show the stories from ordinary people. It can make them extraordinary.

I was impressed by 'The workers of theme park'. Most of them are university students who work as part-time job. Theme parks is the symbol of happiness, but through 'Docu 3 days', it shows their fierce and aspect of youth. I was motivated by their intense life.

I WANT TO KNOW IT 

Second, I'll introduce 'I want to know it'. I'm sure that it is the most famous current affair program. It handles all topics from murder case to social issues. Recently, as they accuse the truth of Sewol Ferry Disaster, it is evaluated that it is a watchdog of press.

This program shows mainly crime case such as murder and the phenomenon of social affairs. In recent, it reported ILBE which is conservative web site and make social problems. It was sensational. Although other programs reported ILBE, I think it was more influential than other programs.

It makes us think what should we do, after watching it. It is important that there’s continuous suggestion to make our society better. If you want to know what is happening in Korea, I recommend you to watch this program.

Episode 1: News in Korea

In this blog site, I'll introduce korean TV programs to you guys. First, this post, I'll introduce the major broadcasting system and news in Korea.

<The title of 'KBS NEWS9'>

There are 3 major broadcasting companies, which are KBS, MBC and SBS. KBS is the only public broadcasting, and others are private broadcasting. Because KBS is public broadcasting, it is very sensitively related to government. (The CEO of KBS can be appointed by president in confidence.) However, MBC and SBS also close to the government. Recently, I felt it heartfully after Sewol Ferry Disaster. Sewol Ferry Disaster was happened in 16 April. It is one of the most terrible disaster in Korea. Almost 300 people, including lots of high school students, were drowned in the cold sea. In the rescue process, government and safety administration showed incompetence in practice. (For example, they often changed their statement about the number of passengers.) However, those 3 broadcasting showed only the surface of disaster and they were averse to criticize the system of government at the beginning. Only some online independent broadcasting channel and other news program such as JTBC NEWS9 were watchdogs to government.

<Son SeokHee, who is one of the most influential anchor, are reporting about corruption of Safety Administration in Sewol Ferry Disaster>

Also, in recent, one's comment caused controversy. He is Gil Hwan Young who is the CEO of KBS. He said that "Sewol Ferry Disaster is not huge disaster. People make a great fuss about trifles. The death toll of Sewol Ferry Disaster is similar to the number of death in traffic accident a year." It incured bereaved families' anger. They protested and insisted Gil's dismissal. As his statement was spreading to public, many people blamed him and the employees of KBS have gone on a general strike until a recent date. 

<General strike of KBS : They insist on Gil's dismissal>

The press should have justice and show events transparently. It is desirable that press play a role as watchdog to Goverment and establishment. There were continuous corrupt of broadcasting, however, people protested and insist freedom of th press on all such occasions. I think it is the HOPE of Korean press that we expect about the future.

Episode 1: News in Malaysia

BERNAMA, which stands Malaysian National News Agency of News has been established by an Act of Parliament in 1967 started operating around 1968. From then on, it has been a news source for leading broadcasting stations in Malaysia.

For the citizens of Malaysia, we are offered with local channel or cable channel, which in that case, they can watch CNN, BBC or Al-Jazeera from their television screen. Local channels are divided to two which is the government channel, RTM and a range of channels owned by a private company, Media Prima.

Primetime news are delivered in Malay, our national language. Although, given the fact that we’re a multiracial nation, several broadcasting channels also offer news in Chinese, Tamil and English.

RTM NEWS

RTM or Malaysian’s Radio and Television broadcasting channel is owned by the government. Not only do they air on TV but also on radio.  It is the first broadcasting channel in Malaysia, being established in the year of 1946.

RTM channels – RTM1 and RTM2 caters to the general viewers. They have been here for long, longer than the other channels Malaysian find oh-so-convenient these days. Aside from news, they show more human interest piece, documentaries and live music or cultural performances. For me, RTM is the most conservative broadcasting house in Malaysia and I think many people would agree.

RTM news have its own traits that no other broadcasting channels offer. For example, RTM2 offers news in Tamil around 6 PM. RTM1 news are disability-friendly, with a sign-language interpreter shown at the tiny corner of the TV screen every night at 8 so that everyone can watch and understand the news. Plus, later at night, the late night news are divided into two parts, local news and world news.

Being true to the government-owned channel name, RTM1 also showcase the footage and live feed of the Dewan Rakyat (that’s Malay for House of  Representatives, literally People’s Hall) making it a source of political news and happenings.

BULETIN UTAMA

Perhaps the most criticized and widely known news in Malaysia is Buletin Utama, owned by a private corporation, Media Prima. Buletin Utama is aired through TV3 and rates number one in terms of viewership. It started in 1985 and had gone through many revamping process to keep up with the modernization.

Although perceptions might differ, the public mainly perceive Buletin Utama news as biased. I think people supporting the opposition party might agree (there’s more than several blogs and Facebook pages created to boycott Buletin Utama). It’s quite far from neutral, as they cover stories mainly from the government’s side. For example, they cover the government’s ruling party UMNO’s Grand Assembly every year in quite an excessive manner.

Despite these critics, Buletin Utama is the only news program that is known to produce notable news announcer and jolted them up to celebrity status. Most senior news announcer became professional MC’s, having interviewed respectable names in politics.

ASTRO AWANI

Astro Awani is owned by Astro, a direct broadcast satellite. It’s paid television and currently in Malaysia, most people can now own Astro as it is getting more affordable. Astro Awani news is created to deliver news, informative, sports and entertainment pieces. Since it airs for 24 hours, it has the advantage of breaking the news earlier and is able to have a broader coverage of a story. As it is satellite TV, many people outside of Malaysia such as Brunei and Indonesian viewers are able to catch the news via Astro Awani.