SEOUL: Twelve South Korean industry groups urged the government on Wednesday (Nov 4) to invest in and support the production of Korean television dramas, known as K-dramas, warning that the country’s production base risked collapse.
AsiaOne reported that K-dramas have been hugely popular globally, but the number produced has fallen about 30 per cent from 141 titles in 2022, according to the Korea Drama Production Association.
The groups—representing producers, directors, writers, actors, cinematographers, and crew—said three domestic broadcast networks cut their drama output from 91 titles in 2012 to just 32 in 2023.
They added that some channels had stopped airing weekday dramas altogether.
The slump in production was linked to rising production costs.
The groups pointed to competition with well-funded global streaming platforms, broadcasters’ reduced ability to invest, and difficulty securing intellectual property rights.
They said advertising income alone could no longer cover production costs, meaning cutting output had become the rational choice for broadcasters.
The groups criticised the government’s 2027 draft budget, which will cut the culture ministry’s broadcast-video funding by 4.5 billion won (about RM14 million).
CJ ENM Virtual Production Producer An Hee-soo demonstrates the Virtual Production Stage (Picture courtesy of ASIAONE).