Chinese mobile video games are emerging as a dominant force in South Korea's notoriously game-hungry market. More than two-thirds of the 20 most popular games in South Korea carry the Made in China tag. Chuck Tinte has the story.

The thriving professional gaming industry may have its roots in South Korea. But it has sprawled to unprecedented levels in neighboring China. Of the 136 Chinese mobile games released in South Korea last year, 16 made their way to the top 20 most popular list - with revenues reaching 183 million US dollars, up 74 percent year on year.

LI HONGYI MARKET DEVELOPER "Many Chinese games have achieved success in the South Korean market in particular genres, such as simulation games and massively multiplayer online role-playing games, where they have shown advantages."

In South Korea, which enjoys world-beating mobile internet speeds, and where smartphone penetration is high, competition has always been fierce in the mobile gaming market. To stand out, Chinese mobile games have improved in terms of quality and design adapting to local conditions and integrating roles and music that domestic users know. This has also helped South Korean gaming companies. The number of local distributors to release Chinese mobile games has increased in recent years.

PIAO RUNLIN S. KOREAN GAMING COMPANY "Chinese games do very well in terms of attracting players especially in the beginning and middle of the games. Better than many South Korean games."

China is the world's largest gaming market. Last year, the Chinese mobile game market saw 14-point-6 billion US dollars in revenue. And the country's e-sports sector was valued at 10 billion US dollars last year, thanks to a surge in mobile gaming. This explosion will surely make China's gaming industry the new frontier for publishers, both from home and abroad. Chuck Tinte, CGTN