Despite changes, Seoul still warms the soul

When I landed in Seoul in 1994 to cover the first-ever visit by a Chinese premier to the Republic of Korea, the two countries had established diplomatic ties just two years previously. I knew little about this country except for the 1988 Olympics and, of course, kimchi.

But I did not feel like a stranger. After wandering into a lane off the bustling Euljiro Avenue, I saw stacks of cabbage, the main ingredient for kimchi, being organized by women on the pavement. Different country, but a familiar scene. In China, people also organized stacks of cabbage at the same time of the year.

The way to a man's heart is through his stomach, and the warmth of kimchi, or spiced cabbage, has always warmed my soul as well as my body.

Now, 22 years on, I have returned to Seoul. Different country, different season, no stacks of cabbage, but the passing of time means that we also share more things in common. This was apparent almost immediately after we left the airport, and I noticed there are more Chinese elements in the capital city.

The annual Sino-ROK media dialogue held on Monday in Seoul helped me quickly review what has been happening to the two countries, especially in cultural exchanges. The forum, themed on media cooperation to boost bilateral partnership, also confirmed the growing links.

As a forum moderator, I was often called upon to remind speakers of their time limit. There was much to discuss, and many speakers, executives of various media outlets, either started with, or cited, hot soap operas to support their points of view.

In his speech, Sun Yusheng, vice-president of China Central Television, mentioned the huge phenomenon that was Descendants of the Sun. The 16-episode soap opera, jointly invested in by both countries and debuting at the same time in China and the Republic of Korea, has achieved audience ratings that are unprecedented.

Chinese TV series have also picked up a huge following in the Republic of Korea, especially those that reflect traditional culture. Nirvana in Fire was a big hit in both countries.

Sun was upbeat when he addressed the huge potential of visual products jointly made by CCTV and its partners in the ROK. High audience ratings proved that "television is still a powerful form of media. International cooperation will make us even stronger," he said.

Monday's meeting was the eighth round of the annual dialogue, hosted by one of the countries every second year. China, through such dialogue, has been engaged more and more with international media. Due to my background, working with an English-language newspaper, I have often been requested to act as panel moderator. This time, my job has been made much easier thanks to cultural proximity and common interests among the speakers.

But amid all the progress and change, one thing, thankfully, has remained constant. Kimchi has been on the menu for every meal.

The writer is deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily.

Contact the writer at wanghao@chinadaily.com.cn