Can Chinese entertainment surpass Korean wave in Southeast Asia?
Union Mall, a major shopping center in Bangkok’s Lat Phrao district, is widely considered one of the city’s most popular hangouts for fans of K-pop and Korean culture, with a nonstop stream of fan-organized events and advertisements celebrating Korean stars. But a visit last Sunday offered a glimpse of something else: the growing influence of Chinese entertainment challenging Korean content’s…
Union Mall, a bustling shopping destination in Bangkok's Lat Phrao district, has long been celebrated as a hub for K-pop and Korean culture enthusiasts. However, a recent visit revealed a significant shift in the area's entertainment landscape: Chinese entertainment content is beginning to challenge Korean dominance.
On Sunday, the mall's six towering LED screens showcased images of Yang Yang, a renowned Chinese actor and one of the country's "Big Four." In celebration of Yang Yang's birthday on Wednesday, his Thai fan community, known as "Yangmao" or "wool," took over every digital advertising screen in the mall. A birthday pop-up booth was set up near the escalator, drawing hundreds of fans eager to show their support.
The event, organized entirely by fans, ran from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and featured a life-size cutout of Yang Yang, birthday cards written in Chinese, and fans donning T-shirts adorned with his likeness. As they snapped photos in front of the cutout and exchanged birthday greetings, it was clear that the influence of Chinese entertainment was on the rise in Southeast Asia.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- Can Chinese entertainment surpass Korean wave in Southeast Asia? koreatimes.co.kr
