A 'Super China' story told by S. Korean broadcast journalist

In the 1980s, even when China and South Korea did not have diplomatic relations, Park chose to pursue a bachelor degree in Chinese literature in Seoul National University.

After the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and South Korea in 1992, there had been extensive exchanges between Chinese and South Korean citizens, particularly among students. Feeling that it was urgent to know more about China, Park went to Beijing to pursue a master's degree in news and communications in China's top Tsinghua University in 2008. "My studies in Tsinghua helped me get a deeper understanding of China. I also have improved my Chinese and made a lot of Chinese friends,"said Park.

After graduating from Tsinghua University, Park worked in Beijing as KBS correspondent for four years. In addition to the annual sessions of the NPC and CPPCC in Beijing, Park has also covered some events in the rural areas of Henan province and the earthquake in Yunnan province. He has visited nearly all China's provinces and districts. "The role of media is quite important, especially television. Programs aired on TV can affect the views of citizens of one country towards another,"Park said.

In producing"Super China,"Park said that his main objective is to help his fellow South Koreans know more about China. The work that he is doing right now in South Korea is obviously in line with his goal. He was one the three producers of the hit seven-episode documentary"Super China"aired on KBS early this year. The program set the record high of 10 percent audience rating. The average rating for a South Korean documentary is only around 5 percent. "Super China"presents different topics in seven episodes, including China's demographics, economics, resources, geography, military, diplomacy and cultural soft power. It is the first ever comprehensive South Korean documentary about China made from the point of view of a South Korean broadcast journalist.

Many South Koreans see the documentary as an "encyclopedia" on understanding China. Some viewers think that it is about time for South Koreans to understand China because of its rise not just as a regional but also as a global power.

Most Chinese citizens think"Super China"is more objective than other documentaries made by Western media because of their built-in bias against China and its people. "Our initial aim of production was to provide a framework for deeper understanding of China and to eliminate misconceptions among South Korean citizens about China,"Park said, adding that the high rating of the program shows that the South Korean people are eager to know more about China and its people.

Park said his work also benefited from the increasingly close relationship between China and South Korea as well as frequent exchanges among their peoples.

He said he is planning to make another documentary focusing on how China's economy would affect South Korea in terms of manufacture, telecommunications and other sectors.