K-Drama Wave To Continue In Japan With "Hallyu Alpha"

The Japanese channel “Fuji TV” has created a special airtime for Korean dramas called “Hallyu Alpha.” Although dramas such as “Winter Sonata,” Jewel in the Palace” and Stairway to Heaven” have been aired before, this is an unprecedented action for a Japanese broadcaster to set up an exclusive time slot for Korean dramas. It began on January 11 and plays every weekday at 2:00 PM. “My Name
Is Kim Sam Soon” (MBC, 2005) just finished up was replaced by “Woman of the Sun”
(KBS2, 2008) February 1.

Fuji TV announced that they plan to continue broadcasting many dramas that were popular in Korea. 
Their executives added that it is their goal to create new fans of Korean dramas in Japan while pleasing longtime fans. While many previous Korean dramas aired in Japan have had their content edited and dubbed, “Hallyu Alpha”  dramas will be left untouched. Exclusive content is also planned to attract viewers, such as having the actors greet viewers at the beginning of the show or special behind the scenes segments at the end.  

Both leads Hyun Bin
and Kim Suna visited Japan to promote the airing of “My Name
Is Kim Sam Soon”. About 1,000 fans went to see Hyun Bin — who made
the Japan trip before Kim Suna — at the promotional event for the
series on January 8. With another drama
“Friend, Our Legend” (MBC, 2009) also set to air in Japan, Hyun Bin was busy promoting on several TV programs.  Korean actress Kim Suna made a surprise visit to Japan just before the final airing of “My Name
Is Kim Sam Soon”. Being fluent in Japanese, she was able to interact with many fans in an interview.