The cultural exchange between China and the United States takes place in the context of globalization, especially in China, where American TV series are popular. This cultural phenomenon not only reflects the cultural differences between the two countries, but also promotes understanding and interaction between the different cultures. This article explores cultural differences in Chinese entertainment and the role of China in multicultural exchange. It analyzes the influence and impact of American TV series on Chinese audiences.
Eunson (2020) understands well the differences between the respected cultures of China and the United States. While China attaches more importance to respected concepts of collective harmony and collective values, the us attaches more importance to individual dignity and freedom. Li (2011) discusses the popularity of American TV series in China and how these series have shaped Chinese public perception of American culture. In 2020, Zhao highlighted how new media technologies have changed the perception of the Chinese public from passive participation to active participation, giving the public more choices and self-discipline that can be trusted. Li (2014) talks about learning English, learning about American culture, finding entertainment, etc. These different motivations reflect the complex role that cultural products play in multicultural communication.
The differences in entertainment distribution and consumption styles between China and the United States reflect the complexity and challenges of cultural exchange between the two countries. First, cultural differences affect not only daily communication, but also narrative style and media acceptance. The Chinese public prefers collective values, while the us emphasizes individualism (Eunson 2020 ). These fundamental cultural differences can hinder mutual understanding and communication, especially where there is no cultural feeling. The popularity of the American series in China is not only an entertainment program (Zhao 2020), but also an unconscious message about cultural values (Li 2011). But this popularity may reinforce cultural imperialism. Strong cultures increase their impact on weak cultures,
resulting in homogeneous cultures and weakening the uniqueness and diversity of indigenous cultures. The change in public behavior in new media can be reflected in the public’s tendency to move from a passive recipient to an active reader (Li 2014). This shows that the media play an active role in new technologies and autonomy and reinforce selective advertising, but can also lead to information burden and choice, selectieproblemen and ignorance, and information tasks, such as the public, do not agree with their own values.
Eunson, B. (2016) Communicating in the 21st Century. Milton, Qld.: John Wiley and Sons Australia, Ltd.
Li, X. (2014) Intercultural Communication: American TV series in China, OpenSIUC. Available at: https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/gs_rp/554/ (Accessed: 22 April 2024).
Li, Y. (2011) Cross-cultural communication within American and ... Available at: https://docs.rwu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1015&context=nyscaproceedings (Accessed: 21 April 2024).
Zhao, K. (2020) ‘The differences of face culture between China and America in intercultural communication’, International Journal of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education, 7(1), doi:10.20431/2349-0381.0701013.