Do you remember the last time you turned on a TV to watch a show and had to dash to the bathroom during a commercial break between episodes? No? Well, it’s all thanks to Netflix and online streaming platforms—or, as Amanda Lotz refers to it, IDTV (internet distributed television). She explored the ways in which this method of distribution disrupts traditional television and how the creation and distribution of content impacts audience engagement.

In the last few years, there has been a global rise in the popularity of Korean culture. Lotz discussed how IDTV has broken traditional methods of broadcasting schedules and regional restrictions. Korean drama is a great example, as Netflix’s original series have gained major popularity worldwide. From Queen of Tears, Squid Games, and Singles Inferno, they have received so much positive feedback, including from me, due to easy access and the simultaneous or consistent release of new series to keep people on their toes. Not only because it can be accessed and watched anytime and anywhere, but also thanks to the availability of closed captions and audio language options in a wide range of languages.

Furthermore, Lotz also discussed how IDTV has changed the content selection that the audience receives. In traditional television, the content would mainly be West-centric, exposing viewers only to Western culture. However, with IDTV, it has introduced a lot of new cultures to the film industry, allowing audiences to gain a better perspective of the world. The rise of Korean culture can be seen in our everyday lives, from trying the famous Korean BBQ, learning the language, and even embracing Korean fashion and makeup.

Lotz, Amanda D. Portals: A Treatise on Internet-Distributed Television. Ann Arbor, Mich., Maize Books, An Imprint Of Michigan Publishing, 2017.

EunhaYi. ““Queen of Tears” Maintains 3rd Place Globally on Netflix’s TOP 10 | Allkpop.” Allkpop, 23 Apr. 2024, http://www.allkpop.com/article/2024/04/queen-of-tears-maintains-3rd-place-globally-on-netflixs-top-10. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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