A Korean language educational program that will be on the air across mainland China starting in October has now started filming at sites across Korea. The program, "Travel Korean: Learn Quickly, Adopt Quickly," is targeted at beginner-level Chinese tourists coming to Korea.

The Korean Culture and Information Service (KOCIS), together with the King Sejong Institute Foundation and the Arirang TV network, all part of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, announced on Aug. 10 that the Korean-language educational program will be jointly produced with the Korean branch of the People's Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party, and China Education Television (CETV), a Chinese broadcaster. At a press conference organized by the culture ministry that day in Seoul, cast and crew members for the program were announced, and a presentation introducing the program was given.

Zhou Yubo, head of the People's Daily Online Korea, said that, "A series of challenges on occasion halted or even suspended production of 'Travel Korean.' However, People's Daily headquarters in Beijing talked with various TV stations across China and made a deal to air the program on CETV4, contributing to the continuous development of Korea-China relations."

Concerning recent Korea-China tensions, she said that she "believes in the Korean and Chinese leadership and their wisdom to seek solutions." She added that this is new educational content for Chinese television, which has gained broad attention, and that a wide viewership would be guaranteed by advertisements on the People's Daily's website.








In its first season, the show will comprise of 50 five-minute episodes. The script was completed in July, and filming and editing are being done in August and September. The series airs across mainland Chinese TV markets beginning in October.

This program started in March this year when KOCIS and the Korean branch of the People's Daily signed a memorandum of understanding. The two agencies discussed the production of a Korean language educational show, and later the King Sejong Institute Foundation and the Arirang TV network joined the project. The governments of Seoul City and Gangwon-do Province are sponsoring the program.

"This is the first case where two Korean and Chinese agencies, along with city and provincial governments, have developed a partnership," said KOCIS Director Kim Kabsoo. "It will be an opportunity for Chinese audiences to better understand South Korea and Korean society, through the Korean language."

"Considering the difficulties that many Chinese tourists face while traveling in Korea, we are planning to further develop and work on the program," Director Kim concluded.

By Wi Tack-whan, Chang Iou-chung
Korea.net Staff Writers
Photos: Jeon Han, Korea.net Staff Photographer
whan23@korea.kr