Do you know that South Korea becoming a global cultural powerhouse was strategic? The entertainment industry had strong government support. There are valuable lessons developing countries like Nepal can draw from that success.
The rise of the cultural industry
K-pop as a global phenomenon and the Korean Wave (Hallyu) were not an accident. It was a carefully crafted industry model with a supportive government and the relentless passion of artists and fans.
Now, South Korea has revamped its entertainment industry, economy, tourism sector, and international reputation, thanks to entertainment companies, digital platforms, and investment in cultural exports.
Nepal, rich in cultural heritage and artistic talent, has the potential to create global movements. Nepal can learn from South Korea and adapt the strategies to its unique context.
A defining characteristic of Korean content is its unwavering connection to Korean identity. Whether it’s a K-drama set in modern Seoul or a period film, Korean productions consistently reflect the country’s language, aesthetics, values, and social context. Yet, produced with a global audience in mind, their content meets the highest technical and storytelling standards.
Nepal should make efforts to tell stories rooted in Nepali soil by polishing and presenting them according to the standards of international platforms. The country can tap into the global viewers drawn to authentic content by matching with quality and ambition.
Proactive government
This success in balancing local identity with global appeal did not happen in isolation. The South Korean government played a pivotal role, not just through funding and infrastructure but through policy reform.
One key shift was the reduction of outdated censorship laws that previously constrained creative expression and were adapted to the age rating system. This regulatory freedom allowed artists and creators to take risks, tell nuanced stories, and address contemporary issues – elements that resonate with both domestic and international audiences.
Nepal, on the other hand, still struggles with bureaucratic and informal censorship, making creators hesitant to push boundaries. For any media sector to thrive, creators must feel protected, not punished, for creative experimentation.
The South Korean government invested heavily in the promotion of its cultural exports. Ministries collaborated with the private sector to market Korean films, dramas, and music globally. Festivals, streaming partnerships, translation services, and media diplomacy were all part of a strategy to turn culture into capital.
But here, the government still largely overlooks the media industry in its economic planning. It is time that it recognised the media as a sector that deserves the same strategic investment as tourism or infrastructure.
Building the foundations for a media economy
To follow Korea’s example, Nepal must take a bold, coordinated approach, setting up national grants for creators, building media zones equipped with world-class facilities, and creating public institutions that train talent in digital media, production, animation, and storytelling.
There should be active promotion of Nepali content on streaming platforms, international film festivals, and diasporic markets through dedicated government agencies.
Moreover, the shift must include support beyond traditional cultural content. Korea’s content success spans drama, documentaries, web series, reality shows, music videos, gaming, and even influencer-driven content.
The Korean model shows that when the state respects creative freedom, invests in capacity, and boldly exports its identity, media can become a powerful vehicle for economic growth and global recognition.
The government should proactively encourage the digital-native youth to put out diverse forms of storytelling. Whether it’s a YouTube travel series, an indie short film, or a diaspora podcast, these voices deserve support and recognition as part of a broader media economy.
The question is no longer whether Nepal has stories worth telling but whether the country is ready to build the systems that allow those stories to reach the world.