The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is stepping up efforts to promote Korean dramas, entertainment shows and documentaries internationally by supporting production companies in their global expansion plans. It is therefore with this in mind that the Ministry of Culture announced on Monday that it was recruiting, in collaboration with the Korean Creative Content Agency, participants in the “Series on Board” touring program, which supports production houses in the field of intellectual property so that they can directly access foreign markets.
The Series on Board program is an event that started last year and allows Korean production studios to directly meet with foreign partners such as production companies, broadcasters and online streaming service providers to develop their respective activities. Indeed, last year’s inaugural presentations in London, Paris and Los Angeles not only helped export Korean dramas to the United States, the United Kingdom and France, but also gave Korean companies opportunity to meet major companies such as Warner Brothers, Apple TV+ and BBC Studios, to present their works and to consider future collaborations.
For example, at last year’s event, ENA’s 12-part drama “The Kidnapping Day” was chosen to be adapted for the UK. This year, the scope has been expanded to include not only dramas, but also documentaries and entertainment television production studios.
Based on feedback from last year, Japan, the world’s third largest content market, was chosen as the new host location. Thus, the Series On Board event will be held in Tokyo from September 23 to 25, followed by events in London from November 6 to 8 and in Los Angeles from November 11 to 13.
The ministry then declared in a press release that: “ At this event, production companies will have the opportunity to discuss collaboration opportunities with foreign buyers ranging from the sale of broadcast rights to co-production and adaptations. They will also be able to benefit from various supports, including preview screenings, attraction of investments, production of promotional materials such as guides, interpretation and promotion services “
Key institutions such as the Korea American Leaders in Hollywood and the Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television in the United Kingdom will explore opportunities for investment and collaboration in Korean content.
Director of the ministry’s media policy office Kim Yong-seop said: ” Content IP is the driving force that allows small and medium-sized production companies to rise to the global stage » while adding: » We will actively support Korean content to spread worldwide and create success stories.”
What do you think of the government’s support for Korean content?