Chinese TV producers may draw inspiration from counterparts in the neighbouring Republic of Korea, says an article in Procurator Daily. An excerpt follows:

Da Changjin, or Jewel in the Palace, a Korean TV series about a woman who became a high-ranking physician in the imperial palace, is taking the country by storm, enchanting millions of viewers.

The popularity of this TV drama calls our attention to the phenomenon of the so-called "Korean current" in recent years, the trend of increasing popularity of Korean products among Chinese, usually urban teenagers.

Korean TV dramas, films, books, clothes and home appliances, just to name a few, have been in vogue in China in recent years, giving rise to what sociologists and media call a strong "Korean current."

Historically the ROK is a nation that was heavily influenced by Chinese culture.

How does such a nation now reverse its course and export its culture back to China?

The influence of a specific culture is mainly determined by two factors. One is a foundation on which the exporter and importer can communicate with each other. The other is whether the exporting culture is exotic, at least in some aspects, to the receptive culture.

As both are Asian countries and deeply rooted in Chinese culture, China and the ROK have a communication foundation for their cultural exchanges.

For example, Chinese audiences are very familiar with the settings and plots of the drama Da Changjin because they are almost identical to China's Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

Second, China is currently in a transition period, which means someway it lacks original popular culture products, leaving the door open to Korean pop culture.

Korean TV producers are avid learners. They combine the cream of Hollywood soap drama and Japanese idol TV drama to produce their own Korean style productions.

Those two factors make it possible for the emergence of the "Korean current" in China.

The hit Korean drama and the hot "Korean current" in general should propel our TV producers to think about their work as well as our cultural circles.

BEIJING, Sept. 5 -- S. Korean dramatic series "Dae Jang Geum" is being broadcast on Hunan TV.

This hit show received an amazing viewer ratings share of 54% in South Korea, the highest in Korean television history. It continued its success with an average rating of 50% when aired in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Based on a true story, "Dae Jang Geum" tells the tale of Jang-Geum, the first female to become a personal physician for a king in ancient South Korea. Jang-Geum faces tremendous odds while working her way to the top of the royal court during 16th century Korea. Using her extraordinary determination and wisdom, she manages to achieve the impossible in a time when woman had little influence in Korean society.

A spokesman of Hunan TV said that most of the lead actors, including famous actress Lee Young Ae, will be invited to Changsha, capital city of South China's Hunan province.

This TV epic will be broadcast on Hunan TV throughout the month of September.