K-Content News
K-dramas, shows make their way into CIS, Middle Eastern, African countries
- May 28, 2021
Korean musicals shine brighter
as domestic market grows
Updated : 2021-05-27 21:37
By Lee Gyu-lee
Korean dramas and reality shows are making their way into the TV markets of more diverse countries, including the Middle East and African countries, with the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) backing up distribution of the shows.
According to the state-run agency, it supported the distribution of a total of 24 Korean shows, to be broadcasted on 13 networks in 12 different countries last year.
"We take pride in our excellent broadcasting shows to be introduced in the countries that are unfamiliar with Korean entertainment media, such as CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States), Central and South American, Middle Eastern and African countries," said Lee Do-hyeong, head of KOCCA's broadcasting division. "The agency plans to continue supporting and maneuvering ways to distribute K-content abroad and accomplish cultural exchange between countries."
The agency has been acquiring the overseas distribution rights for numerous TV series and shows since 2006 to promote Korean entertainment media in potential foreign markets. It reproduced the shows to add captions or dubbing in the languages of the target markets, and has inked broadcasting deals with overseas networks.
The hit series "Love In the Moonlight" and "Signal" were distributed in Jordan, and "Dae Jang Geum" was distributed in Guatemala. In Africa, the agency signed deals for series such as "Hwarang," "Still 17" and "Should We Kiss First?" with networks in Tanzania, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
As the demand for Korean TV shows has been growing, the agency has been diversifying the genres of the shows, ranging from variety and talk shows to documentaries. Last year, the agency carried out its first broadcasting deal for a reality show ― the second season of "Yoon's Kitchen" ― with the Russian regional broadcaster, OTV.
"At first, there were concerns about airing the shows with captions, instead of having voiceovers. But it turned out better that way, because the viewers could enjoy the show more with the cast members' original voices, as well as learn Korean," the network said through the agency.
Korean dramas and reality shows are making their way into the TV markets of more diverse countries, including the Middle East and African countries, with the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) backing up distribution of the shows.
According to the state-run agency, it supported the distribution of a total of 24 Korean shows, to be broadcasted on 13 networks in 12 different countries last year.
"We take pride in our excellent broadcasting shows to be introduced in the countries that are unfamiliar with Korean entertainment media, such as CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States), Central and South American, Middle Eastern and African countries," said Lee Do-hyeong, head of KOCCA's broadcasting division. "The agency plans to continue supporting and maneuvering ways to distribute K-content abroad and accomplish cultural exchange between countries."
The agency has been acquiring the overseas distribution rights for numerous TV series and shows since 2006 to promote Korean entertainment media in potential foreign markets. It reproduced the shows to add captions or dubbing in the languages of the target markets, and has inked broadcasting deals with overseas networks.
The hit series "Love In the Moonlight" and "Signal" were distributed in Jordan, and "Dae Jang Geum" was distributed in Guatemala. In Africa, the agency signed deals for series such as "Hwarang," "Still 17" and "Should We Kiss First?" with networks in Tanzania, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
As the demand for Korean TV shows has been growing, the agency has been diversifying the genres of the shows, ranging from variety and talk shows to documentaries. Last year, the agency carried out its first broadcasting deal for a reality show ― the second season of "Yoon's Kitchen" ― with the Russian regional broadcaster, OTV.
"At first, there were concerns about airing the shows with captions, instead of having voiceovers. But it turned out better that way, because the viewers could enjoy the show more with the cast members' original voices, as well as learn Korean," the network said through the agency.
Reporter : gyulee@koreatimes.co.kr
