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| ▲ Carol Choi, executive vice president of content strategy for Disney's Asia-Pacific region, speaks during the company's Disney Content Showcase in Singapore on Nov. 21, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
By Woo Jae-yeon
SINGAPORE, Nov. 21 (Yonhap) -- Disney has intensified its investment in Korean original content, driven by positive consumer responses and both critical and commercial success, a senior executive said Thursday.
"With the global success we've seen with Korean originals, we have doubled down on our Korean slate," said Carol Choi, executive vice president of content strategy for Disney's Asia-Pacific region, during the company's Disney Content Showcase in Singapore.
She specifically mentioned the action drama "A Shop for Killers" and the travel reality show "Are you Sure?!" starring BTS' Jimin and Jungkook, as two of the most successful Korean originals this year.
They are strong international performers, she said, which provided the company with significant data points that highlighted their impact. She also said the results underscored the growing prominence of local creators, whose productions are world-class.
"They have become a staple of global entertainment consumption," resonating deeply with passionate audiences worldwide, she said.
On the second and last day of the conference, Disney unveiled a diverse slate of upcoming Korean titles, including the surprise announcement of a second season for its breakout hit Korean original "Moving."
Highlights from the slate include "The Murky Stream," the platform's first Korean historical series starring Ro-woon and Shin Ye-eun, and the star-studded "Tempest," featuring Jun Ji-hyun and Gang Dong-won.
The latter series follows Moon-ju, played by Jun, a trusted Korean ambassador to the United States, as she investigates a mysterious assassination, alongside former ace mercenary San-ho (Gang), a figure cloaked in secrecy.
It is penned by renowned screenwriter Jeong Seo-kyeong, known for her close collaborations with director Park Chan-wook on projects like "Decision to Leave" (2022), "The Handmaiden" (2016) and "Thirst" (2009). It will be co-directed by Kim Hee-won of the hit drama series "Queen of Tears," "Little Women" and "Vincenzo," and Heo Myeong-haeng, who directed "The Roundup: Punishment," the fourth installment of the popular film franchise starring Ma Dong-seok.
Also in development are two highly anticipated thrillers. "The Manipulated," starring Ji Chang-wook and Doh Kyung-soo, marks Ji's third collaboration with Disney following "The Worst of Evil" and "Gangnam B-Side." Another standout project is "Made In Korea," featuring A-list actors, Hyun Bin and Jung Woo-sung.
The company is set to share more details about five other Korean originals, "Unmasked," "Hyper Knife," "Knock-Off," "Nine Puzzles" and "Low Life," later Thursday.
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