Issue Focus

Hollywood Goes Korean : When Foreign Studios Adopt K-Drama DNA

This article shows how the success of K-Dramas and wider K-Culture has led to a new trend where foreign studios adopt Korean settings, talent, and storytelling styles. For global buyers, this signals expanding opportunities in cross-border drama IP, where Korea serves as both exporter and creative collaboration hub.

♦  U.S. Studios Embrace Korean Production

     • Amazon MGM’s “Butterfly” is a U.S. series filmed in Korea with Korean cast, Korean-language dialogue,

       and direction by Jin-min Kim.

     • Starring Daniel Dae Kim and co-written by Korean-American writer Steph Cha, it serves as an example of

        a U.S. drama produced in the style of K-Dramas, featuring bilingual titles.

♦  Cross-Cultural Content has become Mainstream

     • Apple TV+’s “Pachinko” drew on a Korean novel with Korean-American producers, Korean directors, and

       predominantly Korean cast.

     • Global projects like “K-Pop Demon Hunters” and “XO, Kitty” highlight how KCulture has become

       a mainstream creative theme in international entertainment.

♦  Korean Dramas Go Global with Reverse Casting

     • Disney+’s “Polaris” features Korean star Ji-hyun Jun alongside Hollywood actor John Cho, expanding

       Korean series into globally resonant formats.

     • International political and cultural backdrops broaden Korean dramas beyond traditional domestic

       settings and themes.

♦  Studio Partnerships Multiply

     • Korean studios increasingly co-produce with overseas broadcasters: Studio Dragon with Japan’s TBS

       and SLL with TV Asahi.

     • Industry insiders note that K-Drama global popularity has boosted Korean studios international

       recognition, leading to more localization and joint-production offers.

Source

Yonhap News Agency. (2025. 8. 24)

https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20250823042900005?section=entertainment/all (Korean version only)