Things have gotten even harder for Taiwan’s highly saturated wedding photography industry, as local studios and dress shops battle to fend off South Korean businesses promising a vacation and destination photo shoot all in one.
The Chinese-language Apple Daily reported yesterday that South Korea has become an attractive choice among Taiwanese couples looking for an engagement shoot because of its pop culture clout, referred to as the Korean Wave, particularly a popular reality show called We Got Married.
Even before the competition from overseas, it has not been easy going for Taiwanese wedding shops, which typically offer dress and accessory rentals and photography services either in a studio or at locations around the country.
With a population of less than 2.7 million, Taipei alone has more than 500 wedding and engagement photography studios seeking to provide the best services for the lowest prices, the Apple Daily estimated, quoting unnamed people in the industry as saying that South Korea is winning the battle for the hearts and minds of new couples because of its star power.
However, one industry insider was quoted as saying that a Taiwan shoot typically costs NT$60,000 to NT$70,000, while South Korean shoots start at NT$10,000 and offer only studio shoots with “all the same colors and scenery” that lack personal flavor.
Even if they are not overly worried, Taiwanese businesses are doubtlessly at least irritated at being outshone by their South Korean counterparts, the report said.
The two Asian Tigers often find themselves in economic competition as they seek to export similar high-tech products to the same markets.
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