South Korean cinema has a long history dating back to the early 1900s during Japanese occupation. It experienced a golden age in the post-war decades but declined in the 1970s. A renaissance began in the late 1990s, sparked by films like Shiri that had higher production values. This period saw Korean films overtake American films at the box office. Hybridity theory holds that South Korean cinema incorporated techniques from other countries like the US while highlighting local culture. Major hits during this time dealt with Korea's relations with other nations.