K-drama

Zoom webinar

In February 2021, Netflix announced it would invest $500 million to create and distribute Korean content through its global streaming platform. This additional investment builds on its already rapidly growing partnerships with Korean TV, movie production companies and streaming platforms to bring Korean dramas and movies into households around the world.

The global reach of Korean dramas is not new – these shows have been popular globally for decades and have been on the leading edge of the Korean Wave. But these new investment opportunities, combined with the ability to quickly reach huge audiences through global platforms, have changed the game for Korean production and distribution companies. K-dramas have also lead to greater impact on other industries like tourism, cosmetics, fashion and retail around the globe.

Please register to listen as Hyun Jung Stephany Noh, Lee Min Joo, Shannon Cho and Jenna Gibson discuss the K-drama industry’s influence within the Korean wave.

August 3, 2021
9:30pm      South Korea
8:30pm      Hong Kong | Beijing | Singapore
6:00pm      Delhi
2:30pm      Paris
1:30pm       London
7:30am      Chicago

Speakers

Shannon Cho
Head of Content & Creative
Discovery Korea Networks
ex-Fox/Disny, ex-Sony, ex-Viacom, ex-CJ ENM

Lee Min Joo
Visiting Lecturer
Department of Women’s and Gender Studies
Wellesley College

Hyun Jung Stephany Noh
PhD Candidate
Department of Radio-Television-Film
University of Texas at Austin

Jenna Gibson
PhD Candidate
Department of Political Science
The University of Chicago

Additional Resources to Prepare before the Event

• Netflix Buys Big into K-dramas | Asia Times (January 11, 2020)
• Why are Korean Dramas Taking Over Netflix? Eastern Entertainment Exceeding Western Demand | HITC (January 8, 2021)
• Netflix is Doubling Down on Asia with K-dramas and Mobile-only deals. But China Remains Elusive | CNN Business (February 4, 2021)
• Netflix to Spend $500 Million on Korean Content This Year | Variety (February 24, 2021)
• Korean TV’s Unlikely Star: Subway Sandwiches | The New York Times (March 14, 2021)
• Is Asian Identity Even a Thing? Who Cares, Pass the Popcorn for K-drama |CBC (May 16, 2021)

About /pɒp/Asia

The UChicago Yuen Campus /pɒp/Asia series will address topics that originate, revolve around and affect the Asia-Pacific Region. From music and anime to tattoos and the exploding interest in crypto currencies, we’ll explore the cultural goings-on in deep corners around the region and how they are influencing the rest of the world. Read more.