K-CULTURE AND THE POWER OF SOFT DIPLOMACY

Welcome to Press Perspective.

It's Friday June 13th here in Seoul.

I'm Min Sunhee.

It's been called soft power soft diplomacy cultural diplomacy and more.

Well regardless of its name quite a number of countries are investing in creative industries fully aware that movies music and food can work wonders in building connections across borders.

For more on South Korea's efforts on this front I have Marianna Baroli with Italian weekly news magazine Panorama.

Marianna it's lovely to have you back.

I also have writer Colin Marshall with the pundit's take on today's topic.

1) Marianna, let's begin with some remarkable news for Korean musicals on Broadway.

The production "Maybe Happy Ending" won this year's Tony Award for Best Musical, which was one of the six awards this Korean musical garnered.

What do you believe is behind the rave reviews, and what is the relevance of this recognition?

2) Colin, a recent article by the New York Times highlights the role of creative productions in advancing soft diplomacy and points to the "cultural reach" of K-pop.

What are your thoughts?

I mean, what has been the impact of K-pop in promoting Korea in the international arena?

3) Marianna, the article claims investments in creative industries by countries have risen over the past ten years.

What more can you add?

4) Marianna, in the case of K-pop, geopolitical circumstances also reportedly have a big impact on its activities and profits.

Do tell us more.

5) Colin, to what extent have policies by administrations affected the initiatives of the K-culture industry?

6) Marianna, President Lee Jae-myung has pledged to promote South Korea's soft diplomacy competitiveness to number five from the current 12, and to raise revenue to 300 trillion won from K-culture including its entertainment, food and beauty products.

What are your takeaways from his ambitious plan?

7) And Colin, if you had the opportunity to share your thoughts on achieving this ambitious K-culture plan of the new Lee Jae-myung administration, what would be some of your suggestions?

8) Marianna, one final question.

News of BTS members completing their military service have made international headlines as well this week, and Suga will be the final member to end his duty next weekend.

What has been the focus of the foreign media with regard to their coverage of BTS lately?

All right.