How Korean Stories Are Winning the World

Korean content is making waves worldwide, and a recent forum in Taiwan put the spotlight on how these stories travel from creation to global screens. The event, Stories in Motion, brought together industry leaders to discuss the journey of Asian stories in today's market. Sean Saeyoon Shim, CEO of Mr. Romance, and Yungsun Soh, senior VP and MD of A+E Global Media, Korea, shared their insights. They talked about how Korean webtoons are a goldmine for global content. These digital comics are already popular, so they give creators a good idea of what audiences like. But the challenge is to make stories that feel fresh and genuine, with emotions that cross borders. Soh pointed out that the road from a good idea to a hit show is getting tougher. With more streaming services and higher production costs, it's crucial to work with partners who understand the creative vision. Shim agreed, adding that getting attention on crowded platforms is a big hurdle.They both highlighted the importance of strong storytelling and smart marketing to stand out. Shim gave the example of "Moving, " a Disney+ series that took seven years to develop, showing that patience and long-term planning can pay off. Looking to the future, Shim sees two big opportunities for markets with smaller local audiences. The first is teaming up with international partners to share risks and reach more people. The second is shifting from traditional business models to ones that involve fans directly, like using blockchain to let audiences invest or influence casting. Shim also mentioned working with government-backed programs, which can provide support but also come with certain conditions. Despite this, both speakers were optimistic about the future of Asian content, with Taiwan playing a key role in this regional collaboration.