Asian entertainment has swept the globe, and it’s receiving its just reward. By now the world knows genres such as K-Drama and K-Pop. And if you’re a Netflix fanatic then chances are you have seen the film Crazy Rich Asians which starred an all Asian cast to let Hollywood see for itself what the Asian entertainment industry has class just like theirs. We cannot neglect to point out the achievement of the South Korean film “Parasite,” which won an Oscar under best picture category as well as “Squid Game” that got numerous Emmy award nominations.
Asian entertainment is gathering a faithful following. Apart from the world of film, even the music industry is catching up, with household names such as BTS on the billboard top ten. Now the world’s eyes have been opened to the Asian entertainment industry, and we’re excited about what magic they will keep creating. Let’s check some trends in Asian entertainment.
5G Technology
The arrival of 5G has brought about a massive upgrade to internet connectivity. But to many this is a blessing, especially students as they can access online resources faster, which makes them complete assignments efficiently, reducing the need to hire Essay Writing Services. This incredible technology is also a boon to the entertainment industry and is thought to usher in a new era of development for the Asian entertainment industry.
With the adoption of this cellular network, we hope to witness more quality content. People are streaming high-resolution films and music videos that require internet speeds of up to 30Mbps. The 5G network will enable high-resolution video and even virtual reality streaming. This, in turn, will create an even greater demand for higher-definition videos and will boost the Asian entertainment industry.
Over-the-Top (OTT) Media Platforms
OTT streaming platforms have propelled the development of Asian entertainment. OTT platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Spotify are driven by factors such as the increase in internet users and people who love novelty. The number of subscribers on these platforms has risen dramatically.
Given that the leading OTT platforms such as Amazon and Netflix already produce original content with copyright, it is reasonable to assume the size of video streaming market will increase. They also provide local content, which has broadened their market into non-English speaking areas. In particular, Netflix has played a role in increasing the global spread of South Korean films, which are now broadcast in 190 countries. Netflix, with its production and distribution of Korean content as well as a platform for consuming it, has greatly boosted the Korean Wave (consumption of Korean content).
These developments have been of particular benefit to the Asian entertainment industry – people can now put their content out for others around the world to stream online.
Rise in Podcast Channels
Over the past few years, the number of podcast channels has grown tremendously. Perhaps the most driving factor for this is that podcasts allow listening to favorite subjects while doing other things. While at the gym, on a train, or in the office, podcast fanatics can now listen to their favorite shows. Additionally, listeners can save episodes and listen to them again at another time.
Asia leads the way in podcast consumption, with India ranked as the third biggest region in terms of podcast listeners. In India, the craze for podcasts is attributed to the development of smart speakers and smartphones. These gadgets make it possible to stream podcasts on platforms such as YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Podcasts in South Korea have grown with the arrival of Podbang. It was the calling card of podcasting in South Korea, and it opened the way for other podcasts.
In China, the spread of podcasts has been fostered by platformization of podcast hosting which supports both user-generated and professionally produced content. In the Asian entertainment industry, where individuals are now starting to take podcast advertisements and the competition intensifies for increased subscribers, it seems that this podcast craze is not going to end any time soon.
Virtual Sports and Games
Asians are always regarded as sports-loving people, and now we are seeing that they are transferring this passion to virtual sports and e-gaming. For example, in 2020 the inaugural Asian edition of the world’s biggest gaming event was held in Singapore. This virtual game event was a combination of championships, awards and video interviews. An audience throughout the world was able to follow how Singapore’s telecommunications giants harnessed the traction of e-sports in their country. As a result, Asians have taken to such things as virtual sports as forms of entertainment that will actually win prizes.
Growth of the Asian Music Industry
Stamping itself as a powerhouse of talent and innovation, Asian music has left its mark on the global trend. It has been facilitated by Asian icons of the music world who have helped bring the entire industry onto its feet. In particular, K-Pop stars such as BTS and Blackpink have put Asian music in lime light with record-breaking numbers. For example, Blackpink tops the list of musicians with the highest YouTube subscribers, standing at 75 million subscribers.
Technology, coupled with music, provides a unique and exciting medium that weaves the traditional Asian culture into modern forms. With Japan, China, and South Korea in the top ten largest music markets globally, we can truly say that Asian entertainment has entered the mainstream of global entertainment.
Bottom Line
The evolution of the Asian entertainment industry is a breath of fresh air since the world gets to appreciate Asian culture in several ways and appreciate the talent and creativity that is displayed in the film, music, and sports entertainment industry. Most of the changes in the Asian entertainment industry have been propelled by the growth of technology, which has made it easier for Asian content creators to bring out their work for the world to see. OTT platforms such as Netflix, Amazon, and Spotify have provided an opportunity for various Asian entertainment brands to stay relevant on a global level.