Exiting New Zealand ambassador Richard Mann has had a busy three years in Korea -― the two country’s leaders made reciprocal visits and talks started on the Korea-New Zealand FTA. But Mann, who is leaving the country on Jan. 30, also found it easy to fill his down-time while in Seoul ― he became an avid viewer of Korean TV.

The 54-year-old diplomat said he had enjoyed Seoul and traveling around Korea, but had also “fallen in love” with Korean dramas, watching over 30 of them during his time here.

“There are a couple of historical ones that I think are fantastic, such as ‘Queen Seondeok.’ I like a political thriller like ‘Iris,’ and even some of the romantic comedies like ‘Secret Garden’ and ‘City Hall,’” he said. “I think they have got really good stories and some of the characters really come to life.

“They have got a certain theme running through them of poor girl meets rich boy. They are Cinderella stories, but everybody likes Cinderella stories. The historical ones are very dramatic and you can learn about ancient Korea and its history. Some of the comedies are really excellent. Korea has some very good comic actors and actresses.”

And the Korean Wave is gently lapping on New Zealand shores, where about 1 percent of the population is ethnic Korean. “Dae Jang Geum” (Jewel in the Palace) aired twice a week in New Zealand with Korean subtitles from 2009. And MBC, SBS and KBS World continue to deliver Korean shows to New Zealand through KTV, the media hub of Korean channels in New Zealand. Arirang TV also presents in the country.

Recent Korean drama “Athena Goddess of War” included scenes shot in various parts of Auckland, as did parts of the drama “Snow Queen.” And Korean actress Han Chae-young starred in the first Korea-New Zealand co-production “Soul Mates,” a horror movie by Kiwi director Scott Reynolds.

Mann put New Zealand’s attraction as a filmmaking destination down to “spectacular locations,” as well as being “world renowned for post production and digital effects on screen.”

“Just about any scene in any film can be shot in New Zealand. We have beautiful natural landscapes and good cities for urban locations,” he said of the country famed for providing the backdrop to the “Lord of the Rings” movies.

While the diplomat said he could not specify deals being discussed, he said that further New Zealand-Korea collaborations on dramas and movies were being negotiated. The two countries signed an agreement on joint filmmaking in 2008 and Mann said “there have been some benefits, and some joint projects are in the works.”

“Korea has its own excellent indigenous film industry and this is a really good area of collaboration,” he said. “We have been at the Busan International Film Festival and the associated industry convention every year, and Busan and Auckland enjoy a sister city relationship.

“It is an excellent opportunity to connect not only with Korean filmmakers and producers but also people from around the region.

“We have a lot of people from Hollywood to Bollywood to Korea coming here to make films.”

The New Zealand Embassy will hold its own film festival in September, and will also launch a web campaign to promote the country to Koreans.

Kiwi theater troupe Red Leap from Auckland will bring the show “The Arrival” to Seoul in early May. An academic conference between the two countries shall also be held that month, in addition to business and trade promotion events in Korea throughout the year.

“We are looking to get New Zealand out into the public space here,” Mann said.

Although he will soon be replaced by new ambassador Patrick Rata, who will start in February, Mann said he was keen to return here in future to do some more touring, including a trip to Jeollanam Province.

“I think Korea changes so fast that I am sure you could come back in five years’ time and there would be all sorts of changes,” he said.

By Kirsty Taylor  (kirstyt@heraldcorp.com)