Korean TV Dramas Rise in Popularity in North America

Korean TV Dramas Rise in Popularity in North America

YA Entertainment Brings English-Subtitled Dramas to Eager Viewers

SAN BRUNO, Calif., July 6 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to increasing demand from North American audiences, YA Entertainment LLC, the exclusive DVD distributor of popular Korean television drama mini-series with English subtitles in North America, today unveils its extensive DVD selection. For the first time, in exclusive agreements with South Korea's top TV networks, YA Entertainment is publishing and distributing previously unavailable DVD box sets packaged for the enjoyment of North American audiences. With English subtitles, non-Korean speaking audiences can now experience the highly popular Korean TV dramas for themselves.

North America is fast embracing the "Korean Wave," a term that refers to the craze for South Korean movies and TV dramas that has swept audiences worldwide. Countries as diverse as China, Japan, Philippines, Mexico, Egypt and Iraq are broadcasting subtitled Korean dramas in their respective languages. These audiences are captivated by the spectacular journeys of triumphant love and familial strife, set against the backdrop of historical and contemporary Korea.

In the United States, Korean TV dramas are now broadcast to over 27 million households. Korean TV drama shows are currently shown on cable networks and local TV stations in Hawaii, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, New York, among other cities. YA Entertainment currently offers 16 drama series titles in DVD box sets. The entire selection is available at online retailers such as YesAsia.com and Amazon.com as well as 120 specialized bookstores and over 100 independent video stores.

"We're extremely honored to pioneer the 'Korean Wave' in the U.S.," said Tom Larsen, General Manager, YA Entertainment. "Most of the people watching our Korean TV drama DVDs are not of Korean descent. American audiences are increasingly drawn to the powerful and emotional storylines, family values and cliffhangers that are truly refreshing and addictive."

Available titles include:

* Dae Jang Geum (aka Jewel in the Palace) -- 54 episodes * Damo -- 14 episodes * Stairway to Heaven -- 20 episodes * Hotelier -- 20 episodes * All About Eve -- 20 episodes * Phoenix -- 26 episodes * Four Sisters -- 20 episodes * M -- 10 episodes * Star in my Heart -- 16 episodes * Love Letter -- 16 episodes * Did We Really Love -- 44 episodes * Romance -- 16 episodes * Rooftop Room Cat -- 16 episodes * Ruler of Your Own World -- 20 episodes * My Love Patzzi -- 10 episodes

Upcoming titles include:

* Something Happened in Bali * Sandglass * My Name is Kim Sam Soon

About YA Entertainment

YA Entertainment LLC is the exclusive licensee, publisher and distributor of popular Korean TV drama programming on DVD with English subtitles in North America. The San Bruno, Calif.-based company's DVD collection is available at online retailers such as YesAsia.com and Amazon.com as well as 120 specialized bookstores and over 100 independent video stores. To become a reseller, contact sales@yaentertainment.com. For more information, visit www.yaentertainment.com.

Source: YA Entertainment LLC

CONTACT: Eelynn Sim, eelynn@panachecom.com, or Mary Placido, mary@panachecom.com, both of Panache Communications, LLC, +1-415-333-9991, for YA Entertainment

Web site: http://www.yaentertainment.com/

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