Su(1999) describes the Taiwanese market as going through major reforms since the deregulation of the media in 1992. What Herng describes as an ‘infatuation’ with Japanese culture is attributed to Japan’s ascendance as a top political and economic power, as well as Taiwan’s growing economic power in the mid 1980′s, with the most significant barrier being television. Herng attributes the influence partly due to the fact that Taiwan was colonized by Japan in the Second World War.
Before idol dramas were popular, children in Taiwan were continually exposed to Japanese anime or cartoons, as well as the accompanying merchandise, which could have been a factor that helped the popularity of 2001′s Meteor Garden. Previously an country independent from foreign media in the 1970′s the shift that took place in the 90′s is still evident today.
A comparison can be done on different programmes like game shows. Japan’s wild style of game show is well-known across the world, even inspiring its own television series in the West I Survived A Japanese Game Show.
Japan’s over the top style has been mimicked by Taiwanese media. Perhaps the major differences between the two videos is that (other than language), Taiwanese game shows seem to rely on sex appeal as well.
It is interesting that what started out as popularity in terms of children’s programming has come much further. Moreover, such inspired content from a different country is considered something distinctly Taiwanese.
Moreover, it is surprising that the Asian market may prefer the Taiwanese version of something based off Japanese media.
