BEIJING — Hyundai Motors said it has received more consumer enquiries in China after hit Korean drama Descendants of the Sun featured its cars and a scene showed a couple kissing while their Genesis sedan drove by itself.
This undated handout photo released by Next Entertainment World in Seoul on April 5, 2016 shows South Korean actor Song Joong-Ki (R) and actress Song Hye-Kyo in a scene from the hit South Korean drama series Descendants of the Sun. Photo via AFP
The Descendants of the Sun, a television serial about a Korean special forces captain and a surgeon falling in love while on an overseas mission, brings together two of the country’s most recognisable stars: Song Joong Ki and actress Song Hye Kyo. In China, where the show has garnered more than 2.6 billion views on video site iqiyi.com, female fans of the show’s lead actor have taken to calling themselves “Mrs Song” on social media.
Song Hye Kyo Buys $9.7m House In Seoul, Business News
Hyundai is hoping some of that adulation rubs off on its cars and translates into sales. In the scene, the supporting male lead engages the Genesis’s lane-keeping and cruise control function on the touchscreen dashboard before reaching over to grab his love interest’s hand, eyes locked on hers and off the road.
The camera pans out to show the car driving independently on a city road with vehicles zooming past before cutting back to the steering wheel, sans hands. The stunt is repeated, and the scene ends with a prolonged kiss to soft strains of orchestral music.
That scene alone made a convert of Grace Wang. The 23-year-old sales representative at a boutique in Beijing plans to make her first car a Hyundai.
Baek Ji Yeon, 'pan Hyundai Family' In Laws Day… Even Star Guests Attended
“I would like to have a car that can go by itself like I saw in the show, ” she said. “It is so cool.”
Hyundai could do with the help. Deliveries fell 5.1 per cent to 1.06 million vehicles last year in China, the first annual sales decline since 2007.The shift in consumer preferences to cheaper sport utility vehicles hurt demand for the automaker’s sedan-heavy lineup, dragging it to the lowest profit in five years.
The automaker will respond by cutting costs at its plants in China and stepping up production of smaller cars and SUVs to take advantage of a tax cut in October, Chief Financial Officer Lee Won Hee said on a conference call in January. At next week’s Beijing motor show, the automaker plans to show models including its new ix35 SUV and China-specific version of its Elantra sedan.
Song Hye Kyo Dikabarkan Clbk Dengan Hyun Bin, Gunakan Kalung Berinisial S & H
“While Hyundai is already an established brand in China, we expect the show’s popularity to further help enhance our brand perception and awareness, ” Hyundai said in a statement. “It is too early to say the show immediately helped boost our sales, our dealers are getting increasing interest and inquiries about products shown in the soap opera.”
Although its cars can now drive themselves semi-autonomously in controlled environments, Hyundai says laws in most countries mandate that drivers keep their hands on the steering wheels. The lane-keeping and cruise control functions may also be hampered by low-light conditions and severe rain as they rely on cameras to detect lane markings.
The carmaker plans to develop partially autonomous vehicles by 2020 and fully self-driving cars by 2030, when the vehicles can pilot themselves for the entire journey from the engine start to parking. Most major automakers including Toyota Motor Corp. are working on some form of autonomous driving technology.
Song Hye Kyo's Private Information Exposed; Song Joong Ki's Ex Returning To Work Next Year
For now, Hyundai’s lane-keeping function turns itself off 20 seconds after hands are removed from the steering wheel. So any kisses will have to be quick. BLOOMBERG
By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.
We know it's a hassle to switch browsers but we want your experience with TODAY to be fast, secure and the best it can possibly be.Song Hye-kyo, who co-starred in KBS 2TV’s mega-hit drama “Descendants of the Sun” with Song Joong-ki, rejected a modeling offer from the Japanese automaker in April of 2016, as the Mitsubishi Group was involved in a lawsuit over the alleged use of Korean forced labor during Japan’s occupation of Korea. (Image: Yonhap)
Netflix's 'the Glory,' Starring Song Hye Kyo, To Be Released In December
SEOUL, July 19 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korean actor Song Joong-ki on Wednesday applauded his fiance and fellow actress Song Hye-kyo’s decision to decline an ad sponsorship offer from Mitsubishi Motors over the company’s association with forced mobilization of Korean laborers during the second World War.
“I first learned that Hye-kyo declined the offer from the news. It was an act worthy of applause in my mind, ” Song told reporters at a press conference for “The Battleship Island” at CGV-Yongsan theater in central Seoul.
Actor Song Joong-ki speaks to reporters at a press conference for his new movie “The Battleship Island” on July 19, 2017, at CGV Yongsan in central Seoul. (Image: Yonhap)
Actress Song Hye Kyo Sues Rumormongers
Song Hye-kyo, who co-starred in KBS 2TV’s mega-hit drama “Descendants of the Sun” with Song Joong-ki, rejected a modeling offer from the Japanese automaker in April of 2016, as the Mitsubishi Group was involved in a lawsuit over the alleged use of Korean forced labor during Japan’s occupation of Korea.
“A person with a rational mind would have done the same. She became someone I love, and looking back from my heart I truly believe the actions she took were right, ” said Song Joong-ki. The real-life celebrity couple announced earlier this month they are getting married in October.
The Korea Bizwire is committed to reporting on uniquely Korean stories for our readers. But we also provide enhanced coverage of useful news from all over the world if we find them of interest or relevance to our global audience.
Petugas Bea Cukai Korea Bocorkan Dokumen Pribadi Song Hye Kyo
Kobiz Media, the parent company of this site, offers highly competent press release distribution and localization services aimed at South Korea -- an increasingly important and attractive market for global businesses who want to have an upper hand in the Asia Pacific region since Korea serves as a stepping-stone for forward-looking brands’ future success in these lucrative markets. We wish you all good luck for extraordinary success in your businesses and life.
