SINGAPORE : More co-productions in drama and even documentaries
between South Korea and Singapore are in the pipeline with the
signing of the first Broadcast Memorandum of Understanding between
the two countries.
The deal was sealed on Wednesday between representatives of the
Korean Broadcasting Commission and Singapore's Media Development
Authority (MDA).
Korean dramas have gone down well with Singaporeans.
And the good news is - more of such productions may be on the
way.
Kim Choon Shik, Director General of Korean Broadcasting Commission,
said: "The Korean drama technologies, drama skills and also
Singapore's drama skills, we can mix up together and make some good
market potential in Asia region and also Singapore people can enjoy
more Korean ways."
Free-to-air TV in Singapore and cable, which already transmits one
Korean channel, could tap in on the popularity of such
productions.
And MDA is only too keen to facilitate the process.
Dr Tan Chin Nam, Chairman of Media Development Authority of
Singapore, said: "The industry will be given the necessary
encouragement to explore how both sides will be able to put our
strengths together and to realise the vision of this particular
MOU."
This will extend to other genres like documentaries and even
training of broadcast personnel.
The MOU, part of the Korea-Singapore Free Trade Agreement scheduled
to be inked later this year, is also exploring cutting-edge
technologies.
This include Digital Multimedia Broadcast which the Koreans are
keen to introduce to Singapore.
Currently being tried out in Korea, it is available both in
terrestrial and satellite formats, and is satisfying the growing
demand for portable and personalised broadcasting across various
platforms. - CNA