<DIV>The Asian TV industry is 'unstoppable' reported 'Variety' in 2008, yet most people living in the West have no idea what the rest of the world is watching on TV: what makes them laugh and cry every day. Asian TV drama, this book discloses, is diverse in form and content; it has value that is local as well as trans cultural and its shows have strong appeal in their aesthetics, storytelling, acting and cinematography, to large non-Asian as well as Asian audiences.<BR><I>Reading Asian Television Drama</I> offers an insightful overview of Asian television drama from such countries as Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, China and South Korea, and of its cultural impact. Examining both text and context, chapters analyze local dramas closely, including South Korean 'Hallyu' shows like 'Autumn in my Heart' and 'Beautiful Days'. Others focus on an Asian TV network within Asia, as well as Asian global cultural exchange and the international consumption of its television. They provide full and varied coverage of this important TV industry for a wide range of readers.</div>