South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) and the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange unveil the results of their 2021 Overseas Hallyu Survey.
8,500 respondents from 18 different countries such as United States, China, Japan and more were asked about Korean cultural exports like dramas, films, music and other topics through an online poll conducted from September 24th to November 4th 2020.
K-dramas were the most popular with 29.7 percent of the respondents answered that they watch Korean dramas. "Crash Landing On You" with main leads Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin, topped as the favorite Korean drama with 9.5 percent of votes. Second was the tvN drama starring Kim Soo Hyun and Seo Ye Ji, titled "It's Okay to Not Be Okay" with 4.1 percent. "The World of the Married" and "Itaewon Class" tied with 2.8 percent, and lastly "Kingdom" received 2.5 percent.
For film category, "Parasite" directed by Bong Joon Ho, was the most popular as it topped the survey with 18.4 percent, followed by Gong Yoo's film "Train To Busan" with 10.2 percent. "Peninsula" came third at 3.5 percent. Park Shin Hye and Yoo Ah In's "#ALIVE" got 2.1 percent and "Time To Hunt" took 1.6 percent.
They also chose their favorite Korean actors. Lee Min Ho ranked first, having been chosen by 9.6 percent of the respondents. Followed by "Crash Landing On You" star Hyun Bin with 3.5 percent and Gong Yoo with 2.3 percent. The only actress who made the top 5 was none other than Song Hye Kyo with 2.1 percent. Lee Jong Suk came in fifth with 2 percent.
Many people shared that because of the COVID-19 pandemic, they watched and consumed more Korean contents such as dramas, variety shows, and games than before.