Exports of Culture Contents Increase

SEOUL (Yonhap) _ South Korea's exports of culture content surged 61.6 percent year-on-year to $371 million last year, a South Korean trade body said.

According to the Korea International Trade Association, three culture products _ television programs, movies and recorded music _ showed notably brisk export growth thanks to the so-called "hallyu (Korean wave)" phenomenon. South Korean TV dramas, music and other pop culture products have enjoyed burgeoning popularity in Asian countries in recent years.

The figures contrast starkly with an 8.9 percent rise to $230 million in 2003 and a 4.0 percent drop to $211 million in 2002.

It also said as much as 76 percent of South Korean exporters responded they benefited positively from the popularity of Korean pop culture.

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