March 28, 2024
Analysis

When divided Koreas meant box office bonanza

As inter-Korean ties thawed, films with reconciliation themes boomed south of the DMZ

1998 to 2007 was an era of breakthroughs in inter-Korean relations, and this was reflected at the South Korean box office.

Mount Geumgang tourism launched in 1998. The historic first inter-Korean summit happened and family reunions resumed. Products made in North Korea began to appear in local markets in South Korea. Top artists from the two Koreas appeared hand-in-hand in an advertisement.

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