K-drama, anime and manga: oriental culture becomes a phenomenon in the geek universe

Between dramas, anime, manga and K-pop bands, oriental productions have created increasingly deeper roots among the Brazilian public.

Celebrated this Monday (25), Nerd Pride Day seeks to praise geek culture and give visibility to the group. Since 2006, the date has been chosen as a tribute to the premiere of the first film in the "Star Wars" franchise, in 1977.

In an interview with CNN, Roberto Fabri, vice president of content at CCXP (Comic Con Experience), shares his analysis of recent changes in the geek universe and confirms that more and more Asian arts should enchant Brazil.

Fabri opens with a central change in the geek world: the term nerd is no longer linked to something pejorative. For him, the fall of several social labels and the popularization of social networks were the main factors that gave a new meaning to the word.

"How many people nowadays watch science fiction like 'Stranger Things' or 'Game of Thrones', without knowing that it is a fantasy? Many don't even realize that it is geek content. And, after all, what does it mean to be a nerd at the end of the day? It's a person who is interested and curious about a certain subject. In a way, almost everyone has a little nerd inside them", he says.

Along with this wave, in recent years, there has been a significant growth in lovers of dramas and K-pop music groups across the country. Titles produced by Netflix, such as "Can Love Be Translated?" and "Uma Seoul Desconhecida" were successful since their debut and made K-dramas part of the routine of many.

For Fabri, the reason behind the phenomenon is clear: the similarity with Brazilian soap operas. With emblematic characters, a little drama and some predictable arcs, the South Korean scripts were a sure bet for the streaming platform.

"I think that, talking about the main content production hubs in Asia, which are Korea and Japan, the great truth is that they have a very passionate culture and people. So, you can even enter for the content, sometimes, by having seen a drama or listened to a song. But you stay because you fall in love with the culture", he concludes.

In addition, bands like BTS, Blackpink and Twice also expanded the musical universe of Brazilians and created loyal fan bases in the country. In October, the group, which has big names in the cast, such as Jin, SUGA and Jung Kook, will bring the "Arirang" tour to São Paulo.

With record sales and long queues, the group will perform a three-night residency at the MorumBIS Stadium, in the south of the capital.

*Under the supervision of Marina Toledo, from CNN

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Source: CNN