According to reports out of Korea, Chinese audiences won’t be able to watch South Korean television shows on streaming services anytime soon, due to an ongoing political dispute disrupting ties between the two countries.
Over the weekend, Korean news outlet Yonhap reported that China has blocked videos of South Korean music and television dramas from streaming services. The move came as part of continued economic backlash by the Chinese government in response to South Korea deploying the United States' Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system near Seoul.
South Korea is stationing the anti-ballistic missile system on its soil as a deterrent against North Korea, but China objects to THAAD, on the grounds of its ability to threaten Chinese territorial security, while simultaneously raising tension between the Koreas.
Many Chinese streaming services have stopped updating video clips of South Korean entertainment. According to Yonhap, one website posted on its social media account that “everybody should be aware of the reason for this,” referencing the Chinese government’s toughened stance on Korean cultural imports.
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These programs are extremely popular inside of China, there have been remakes of South Korean shows in China and South Korean stars make a lot more money when they appear in Chinese shows.
THAAD is completely defensive and no threat to China or anyone else.
