Streaming Platform's Strategy Emphasizes Meaningful Storytelling and Local Appeal

Courtesy of WALT DISNEY COMPANY KOREA

Disney+, the global streaming platform, is prioritizing the delivery of high-quality Korean content with a meaningful narrative to its viewers. Soyoun Kim, Managing Director of the Walt Disney Company Korea, stated that Disney+ focuses on quality over quantity, seeking content that goes beyond clickbait and resonates emotionally.

The streaming platform's growth strategy revolves around telling Korean stories to a global audience while ensuring the essence remains authentically Korean. Carol Choi, Executive Vice President of Original Content Strategy for the Asia Pacific at the Walt Disney Company, highlighted the importance of monitoring evolving consumer preferences in Korea, emphasizing that content successful in the local market is likely to be appreciated globally. 

▲ Soyoun Kim, managing director of the Walt Disney Company Korea / Courtesy of WALT DISNEY COMPANY KOREA

Despite having fewer members in Korea compared to other streaming platforms, Disney+ has made progress with original Korean content like "Moving" and "Big Bet." The platform has announced eight new original Korean productions for 2023, including titles such as “Uncle Samsik,” “Blood Free,” and “Red Swan,” emphasizing quality, scale, and star power.

Disney+ aims to contribute to Korea's creative economy by evolving from a distributor of global stories to creating and producing content locally. Among the top 15 best-performing international original titles on Disney+ in 2022, nine were Korean titles, showcasing the global resonance of Korean storytelling.

▲ Poster of Disney+'s original Korean series "A Shop for Killers" / Courtesy of WALT DISNEY COMPANY KOREAShin Yeon-shick, director of Disney+'s upcoming series “Uncle Samsik,” shared that the decision to collaborate with the streaming platform was a natural choice for the period piece based on Korea's history. The series is expected to provide a relatable experience for viewers worldwide while delving into critical moments in Korea's past.

In addition to original Korean content, Disney+ will offer exclusive access to popular titles, including the Star Wars franchise series "The Acolyte" starring Lee Jung-jae, season 20 of "Grey's Anatomy," and "Taylor Swift The Eras Tour (Taylor's Version)." The platform aims to continue supporting Korean content creators and invest in the local creative community as it expands its creative endeavors in Korea and the Asia-Pacific region.

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