Article:
This Time It's A 'Manhwa Hallyu'
'Manga Empire' Japan's 'Goong' Fever
Korea's Manhwa is spreading throughout the world
It seems that yet another Hallyu fever may occur in the 'Manga empire' Japan and in China.
Japan's Asahi Daily recently analyzed and reported in regards to the growing status and interest of Korea's Manhwa.
Park So Hee's 'Goong' was made into a drama in 2006, starring Yoon Eun Hye and Joo Ji Hoon, and was hugely popular in both countries. It was also made into a musical play, with TVXQ's U-Know Yoo Chun, and opened earlier this month.
Asahi News reported, "With the creative setting of royalty in the modern day Korea, under the title of Lovecon ~ LOVE in 景福宮, 'Goong' has been hugely popular since it's release in 2006 (Japan release), selling over million copies (sets) in Japan. It has been translated into 11 different languages and sold internationally. Korea Manhwa holds 100 years of history in Japan as it was introduced in the form of newspaper strips. Recently, it even had a booth at a Japanese Manga festival, 'the Japan Manga Expo' held in Paris, and the government and industry are now working hard to seek foreign markets."
[Source: Reporter Jo Sung Joon @ Metro Seoul]
Note: Manhwa (Korea), Manga (Japan):comic books novels, series.
The articles goes onto examining the current Manhwa projects and deals underway in foreign markets. This part (last paragraph) has been omitted in the translations, because...Well, you know..we are concerned with the beginning part with Goong and Yoon Eun Hye 
This whole Manhwa Hallyu movement may not have been possible without the drama, Goong.
Because Goong Manhwa wouldn't have entered the Japanese market with such interest without the success of it's drama. Actually, it probably wouldn't have entered the Japanese Manga market at all. Due to Goong's success, more investments are being made into the small Korea Manhwa industry by the government and others today. Goong/Princess Hours is changing yet another industry 
As For Eun Hye's popularity~
White Rose posted this monthly index ('Support Index of Stars') which runs on a Japanese Hallyu Site.
It is said that #1 ~ #20 doesn't change much on month to month basis, because it contains the biggest Hallyu stars in Japan.
The only female Korean Celebrity, including Kpop Idol Singers and Actors, in top 25, is Yoon Eun Hye at #5 at this point.
White Rose points out the important thing isn't the ranking, but that she's in top 20, because these are considered top Hallyu stars.
[Source: White Rose @ DCUNE]
