Arirang Network Looks to Connect Asian Nations
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By Han Eun-jung
Staff Reporter
Reaching out to people is what the Arirang television and radio network has been doing since its launch in early 1997, says the network's president Samuel Koo.
Looking at the fact that Arirang has gone from a local cable network aspiring to be an internationally recognized and credible media outlet to now, an establishment sending signals to 53 million households in 188 countries across the globe, it seems already achieved its goal.
This month marks another major milestone, as Arirang celebrates its first anniversary of being on the air in the Middle East, where two hours of Arabic-dubbed programs is broadcast daily.
In addition to its diverse programming Arirang offers both locally and abroad, Arirang Radio, which had previously been available only to Cheju Island-based audiences, went national with the launching of its satellite digital multimedia broadcasting service (DMB) in August.
What comes next is the carrying out of social obligations, which Koo believes that television has the capability of doing.
"Take for instance the three countries of Japan, China and Korea", Koo said in an interview with The Korea Times. "We are stuck as neighbors and yet we really do not know one another. Ignorance and hostility tends to be larger than the understanding and friendship that ought to exist." He added that television could step in to be a very important means to connect the people of these nations.
Despite the rivalry and hostility that exists, Koo insists what is undeniable is that there are so many elements that bind the three nations together.
"Often we take these things for granted or we do not appreciate them. Our intention is to find a commonalities, which is not difficult to do as they are in an abundance, and build bridges," he said.
One example would be "Clay Odyssey," a documentary that aired in July.
The program, produced in collaboration with Japan's Nagoyo TV, looks into the relationship shared by Japan and Korea through the two countries' ceramic history and examines how the cultural exchanges and the influences the two nations had on each other. The documentary went on to define present-day ceramic styles found in each country.
Koo said that in examining such sensitive issued, an English broadcaster like Arirang can be at an advantage because it uses what is known as the common language, that is English, which can avoid potential ideological clashes triggered by the use of the native language.
"In order to convey yourself in English, you have to reorient yourself somewhat. If it were in raw Japanese, Chinese or Korean you can say whatever you want to say. But say it in English and there are basic courtesies you have to observe", Koo said.
"Each country has its own tradition and is extremely proud of it and have something to show for it. None feel that they are inferior in this area", he said, adding that there are many subjects that he would like to see Arirang look at, including tea drinking culture or the educational system of the three countries.
Arirang has also been busy off the air as well. In May, the company launched the Host Family program. By arranging friendships between foreign migrant workers and South Korean families, the project is bettering the country's image abroad and promoting a sense of unity between South Koreans and workers.
Koo said that so far the program has unfolded as extensively as he had hoped for.
"There is no shortage of Korean families wanting to enter into this partnership with workers, but the irony is that we have to rely on a third party to do the translation as most of the workers do not speak Korean, nor do they speak English", he said.
Koo added that another problem of the program is that those who employ foreign workers tend to look at this as a nuisance, calling instead for education programs for employers and institutionalizing orientation programs for workers when they arrive in the country arrive.
"APEC is a perfect opportunity to showcase Korea. Obviously we want to promote Korea, describe what Korea is good at and how we are making progress and, of course, included in that is promoting the idea of a tolerant society", he said.
Arirang is the official English broadcaster of the 2005 APEC. With monitors set up in all the key strategic places for participants as well a the media will be able to follow, Arirang has also scheduled 12 hours of special programming dedicated to APEC and three-and-a-half hours of radio airtime.
Staff Reporter
Reaching out to people is what the Arirang television and radio network has been doing since its launch in early 1997, says the network's president Samuel Koo.
Looking at the fact that Arirang has gone from a local cable network aspiring to be an internationally recognized and credible media outlet to now, an establishment sending signals to 53 million households in 188 countries across the globe, it seems already achieved its goal.
This month marks another major milestone, as Arirang celebrates its first anniversary of being on the air in the Middle East, where two hours of Arabic-dubbed programs is broadcast daily.
In addition to its diverse programming Arirang offers both locally and abroad, Arirang Radio, which had previously been available only to Cheju Island-based audiences, went national with the launching of its satellite digital multimedia broadcasting service (DMB) in August.
What comes next is the carrying out of social obligations, which Koo believes that television has the capability of doing.
"Take for instance the three countries of Japan, China and Korea", Koo said in an interview with The Korea Times. "We are stuck as neighbors and yet we really do not know one another. Ignorance and hostility tends to be larger than the understanding and friendship that ought to exist." He added that television could step in to be a very important means to connect the people of these nations.
Despite the rivalry and hostility that exists, Koo insists what is undeniable is that there are so many elements that bind the three nations together.
"Often we take these things for granted or we do not appreciate them. Our intention is to find a commonalities, which is not difficult to do as they are in an abundance, and build bridges," he said.
One example would be "Clay Odyssey," a documentary that aired in July.
The program, produced in collaboration with Japan's Nagoyo TV, looks into the relationship shared by Japan and Korea through the two countries' ceramic history and examines how the cultural exchanges and the influences the two nations had on each other. The documentary went on to define present-day ceramic styles found in each country.
Koo said that in examining such sensitive issued, an English broadcaster like Arirang can be at an advantage because it uses what is known as the common language, that is English, which can avoid potential ideological clashes triggered by the use of the native language.
"In order to convey yourself in English, you have to reorient yourself somewhat. If it were in raw Japanese, Chinese or Korean you can say whatever you want to say. But say it in English and there are basic courtesies you have to observe", Koo said.
"Each country has its own tradition and is extremely proud of it and have something to show for it. None feel that they are inferior in this area", he said, adding that there are many subjects that he would like to see Arirang look at, including tea drinking culture or the educational system of the three countries.
Arirang has also been busy off the air as well. In May, the company launched the Host Family program. By arranging friendships between foreign migrant workers and South Korean families, the project is bettering the country's image abroad and promoting a sense of unity between South Koreans and workers.
Koo said that so far the program has unfolded as extensively as he had hoped for.
"There is no shortage of Korean families wanting to enter into this partnership with workers, but the irony is that we have to rely on a third party to do the translation as most of the workers do not speak Korean, nor do they speak English", he said.
Koo added that another problem of the program is that those who employ foreign workers tend to look at this as a nuisance, calling instead for education programs for employers and institutionalizing orientation programs for workers when they arrive in the country arrive.
"APEC is a perfect opportunity to showcase Korea. Obviously we want to promote Korea, describe what Korea is good at and how we are making progress and, of course, included in that is promoting the idea of a tolerant society", he said.
Arirang is the official English broadcaster of the 2005 APEC. With monitors set up in all the key strategic places for participants as well a the media will be able to follow, Arirang has also scheduled 12 hours of special programming dedicated to APEC and three-and-a-half hours of radio airtime.
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