HK media show growing interest in S. Korea: study

HONG KONG, Aug. 19 (Yonhap) -- Mainstream Hong Kong news media are showing a growing interest in South Korea, a study showed Friday, indicating closer ties between the two sides.
According to the research conducted by the South Korean consulate general in Hong Kong from April 1, 2010, to March 31, 2011, the number of news articles about South Korea that appeared in the four major Chinese-language newspapers in Hong Kong was 8,331.
The four newspapers, the Oriental Daily, Dagongbao, Mingbao and Wenhuibao, published five to seven news articles a day on average during the one-year period, said the South Korean consulate general in Hong Kong.
Cultural and sports news were most reported with 4,643 articles, followed by inter-Korean news with 1,510 articles and political and diplomatic news with 1,166. Economic news trailed with 630 articles.
South Korea was one of the most covered foreign countries, the consulate general said.
In March alone, the Oriental Daily published 157 news articles about South Korea, following the United States with 387 articles. Japan trailed in third place with 147.
The "Korean Wave," also known as "Hallyu," has been a key factor in the deepening relationship between South Korea and Hong Kong over the last decade. Hallyu refers to the phenomenon in which South Korean popular culture, ranging from television shows to pop singers, has spread to neighboring countries and beyond.
Hong Kong's two major terrestrial broadcasters, TVB and ATV, present about a dozen of South Korean TV shows a week.