Korean producers have had a string of International hits: MBC’s “The Masked Singer” is the most successful global formats; “The Good Doctor”, ABC’s adaptation of a Korean drama from KBS, has been named the most-watched television drama in the world

Korea will become the first Country of Honour to be showcased on the new MIPCOM ONLINE+ platform, making its flagship content accessible to television professionals around the globe.

The Korea Country of Honour showcase is sponsored by Korea Communications Commission (KCC), responsible for policies in Korean broadcasting and communications services.

With some 19.5 million TV households and 30.8 million pay-TV subscribers, Korea is the most “wired” country in the world in relation to download speeds and streaming content. High smartphone adoption and low-cost subscription services means watching content on mobile devices is widespread, and more and more content is being created for consumption this way.

Korea’s exports of cultural content increased 8.4 percent in 2018 from the previous year, to $9.55 billion, according to recent government figures. Average annual growth between 2014 and 2017 was 16 percent, with exports of $5.27 billion in 2014, $5.66 billion in 2015, $6.08 billion in 2016 and $8.81 billion in 2017, according to a report on the content industry released by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Domestic content industry sales were up 5.2 percent last year to $106 billion. KCC reports that the total number of TV titles exported in 2018 rose to 122,962, for revenue of $326.8 million.

Korean producers have had a string of recent international hits: MBC’s “The Masked Singer” became a global hit after launching on Fox in January 2019; “The Good Doctor”, ABC’s adaptation of a Korean drama from KBS, has been named the most-watched television drama in the world, with a global audience of almost 50 million viewers.

“We’re very proud to have Korea as Country of Honour at MIPCOM 2020. KCC wants to focus on promoting the excellence and creativity of the Korean production sector and the dynamics of its advanced broadcasting technology services. Thanks to the global reach of MIPCOM ONLINE+, delegates around the world will have the opportunity to see the best of the Korean Wave of TV and online content, which has recently produced some huge international hits,” said Laurine Garaude, Director of Reed MIDEM’s Television Division.

KCC Chairman Han Sang-hyuk commented, “I am very pleased Korea is able to participate in the world’s largest content market as the Country of Honour to showcase excellent content. With the rise of new media like OTT in the new non-contact era following COVID-19, broadcasting content represents an area for new opportunity.”

He added, “Korean content is rewriting history in various sectors such as drama, K-Pop and movies. Now, just like the slogan of the event, “Korea, Story Connects Us,” it is time for Korea to join hands with the world and create a cooperation model for broadcasting content production, distribution, and other areas.”

Jangho Seo, SVP, CJ ENM noted, “In these times, where more people are searching for new stories and content than ever, it is exciting that Korea is represented as MIPCOM’s Country of Honour. The popularity of K-drama and K-formats is incessant, and more markets are looking into originality from Korea. With the recent global success of music-game show ‘I Can See Your Voice’ in Germany and upcoming in the US on Fox, we look forward to celebrating the nation’s creativity and accomplishments at the market.”

“Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) is very proud that Korea is opening a new chapter in the history of MIPCOM as Country of Honour 2020. With shows such as ‘The Good Doctor’ and ‘Oops, We Forgot your Order!’, Korean production has grown to become a global content powerhouse reaching beyond Asia,” enthused Hyun Min Park, Executive Director for Content Business Department at KBS.

As a content showcase, the MIPCOM Korean focus will feature four online conference sessions.

Fresh TV Korea will be hosted by Virginia Mouseler, The Wit’s CEO, preceded by a welcome address by the KCC Chairman. This will be followed by two sessions, the first focussing on Behind Korea’s Mega Hits, the second on Korea’s Platform and Distribution Strategy. Additionally, Co-Producing with Korea will look at case studies of successful international co-operation.

There will also be ample virtual matchmaking and networking opportunities, including It’s a Match with Korean Producers featuring 25 Korean producers who will be selected by KCC to meet online with potential international partners including key commissioning editors, buyers and producers.

All Korea’s leading broadcasters will be represented on MIPCOM ONLINE+, including Korean Broadcasting System (KBS), Munhwa Broadcasting Corp (MBC), Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS), and the Educational Broadcasting System (EBS), along with cable operators CJ ENM and JTBC.

Previous Countries of Honour and Country Focuses at both MIPTV and MIPCOM include France, China, Russia, Japan, Germany, Turkey, Nordics (Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden), Mexico, Israel, and Argentina.