CR: The demand for Korean horror films in America

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The demand for Korean horror films in America will fall considerably since American horror films are back in demand there, impacting the overall demand for Korean films. However, the American viewers' demand for Korean films will increase again. Two years back when the American romance film genre went through a revival in popularity in America, the demand for Korean romantic films in America went down; however, the demand for Korean films has returned to its previous level since then.

Which of the following, if true, best supports the assertion that the demand for Korean films may not return to its previous level?

A) In the past two years some very successful American Horror films were actually based on successful Korean Horror films.
B) The Korean horror films were significantly responsible for contributing to the revival in demand for Korean films after it dropped two years back.
C) Various surveys show that the movie business in America is almost at its peak and is likely to go down after it booms in the next one year.
D) The demand for Korean romantic films has not decreased in the last two years.
E) American sci-fi films have always been more popular in America than Korean or American horror films have been.

The OA is B.

I'm looking for good explanations.
Source: — Critical Reasoning |

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by crackverbal » Mon Oct 31, 2016 2:50 am
The premise stated is this -
demand for Am. romance films increased --> demand for Kor romance films went down.
However, demand for Kor. films has since increased.


Another known fact is this - demand for Am horror films has increased.

Based on these facts, the author tries to draw a similar conclusion for horror films.

demand for Am. horror films has increased --> demand for Kor horror films will go down.
However, demand for Kor. films will increase again.


Note that the author is trying to draw parallels between two genres - horror and romance. The author assumes that the same chain of events will repeat now too.
The correct answer will give a reason as to why that chain of events will not repeat.

A - strengthens the argument. If very successful Am. horror films were based on Korean Horror films, then probably people would watch more Korean horror films.
B - correct answer. This gives a reason as to why the chain of events will not repeat. Earlier, the revival in demand for Korean films happened because of Korean horror films.
In simpler terms - high demand for Korean horror films --> Revival in demand for Korean films.
Now, however, the cause (high demand for Korean horror films) is not true. Hence, it is unlikely that the effect (revival in demand for Korean films) will be true.
C - Not relevant. We are interested only in demand for Korean films, not for all films.
D - not relevant. We are interested in demand for Korean films, not korean romantic films.
E - not relevant. We are not interested in American sci-fi films
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by TheGraduate » Mon Oct 31, 2016 3:11 am
WRT choice B:
Why is it unreasonable to think that there might be some other factor that might be responsible for the revival of Korean film? For instance, last time it was the Korean Horror film that was responsible for the revival of the industry. This time it might be some other genre that might revive the Korean Films.

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by crackverbal » Mon Oct 31, 2016 3:28 am
Might be true. But you cannot assume that some other genre will revive it.
Also, note that you are trying to weaken the conclusion - the revival of demand for Korean films will happen.
You are not trying to definitely disprove the above conclusion. B weakens the conclusion but does not definitely disprove it.
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