[Zoom In] 'Hollywood Entry' Is a Thing of the Past, Borders Have Disappeared

'Parasite' and 'Squid Game' Global Popularity
Not Just a K-Content Craze but a Brand
Numerous Domestic and International Collaborations, New Production Forms

Photo by Yonhap News Agency (Bong Joon-ho, Lee Byung-hun), Apple (Lee Min-ho), Netflix (Jung Ho-yeon)

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] Borders have disappeared. In an era where the term 'Hallyu' feels outdated, K-content is spreading worldwide through Over-The-Top (OTT) online video services.

In the past, stars and trends that enjoyed great popularity domestically and internationally were called 'Hallyu stars' and 'Hallyu fever,' but those terms have become a thing of the past. Now, Korean content confidently stands on major international stages and is recognized for its achievements, and this recognition is seen not as 'our nation's glory' but as 'individual glory.' It is no longer viewed as 'culture consumed overseas' but as 'our culture' in its own right.

Director Bong Joon-ho's words, "Once you overcome the one-inch barrier of language, you can share many stories," resonate because the 'language' of each country is no longer a barrier. There is no need to study English to 'break into' Hollywood or learn Japanese or Chinese to appear on broadcasts in those countries. Of course, being fluent in foreign languages makes activities easier, but the era when such skills were seen as 'essential qualifications' for casting has passed.

Recently, new works have been created through collaboration among content creators and actors from various countries. Films like Parasite (directed by Bong Joon-ho) and the Netflix series Squid Game have raised awareness of Korean culture and received recognition at various award ceremonies, naturally increasing interest and curiosity about domestic creators.

The new Apple TV Plus series Pachinko has Soo Hugh as executive producer and screenwriter, with directors Kogonada and Justin Chon alternating in directing four episodes. Media Res produced the series, with Michael Ellenberg, Lindsay Spring, and Danny Goorin credited as executive producers. Teresa Kang Low of Blue Marble Pictures, along with Richard Middleton, David Kim, and Sebastian Lee, participated as co-executive producers. Actors Youn Yuh-jung, Lee Min-ho, Kim Min-ha, Jung In-ji, and Noh Sang-hyun appear in the series.

Actor Lee Min-ho, who appears in the series, said, "I feel that we are living in a truly happy era. With technological advances, the world has become closer. Korean content is now accessible to more people in many countries, and those encountering it for the first time feel a fresh atmosphere. I feel a sense of responsibility and the need to work even harder."

Pachinko completed filming in seven Korean cities before heading to Japan to shoot background plates, then began location shooting in Vancouver, Canada. Vancouver was used to recreate 1980s New York, and to film the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake scene, half of a 'mirrored set' built across two continents was constructed in a studio.

Lee Min-ho shared, "The overall framework was not very different, but I was amazed by the details and scale. The set in Canada recreated Busan's Yeongdo Market, where every morning, 2-3 ton trucks delivered freshly caught seafood for the setting."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Jung Ho-yeon, who won the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series at the Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG) for Squid Game, has teamed up with Hollywood master Alfonso Cuar?n, director of Gravity and Roma.

She has been cast as Kim in Apple TV Plus's new series Disclaimer, standing shoulder to shoulder with Kate Blanchett and Kevin Kline. Kim is the assistant to her boss Catherine, a smart, lively, and ambitious woman. The character is expected to be ready to seize any opportunity that comes, balancing professionalism and confidence.

Actor Lee Byung-hun, who took the stage at the closing ceremony of the 74th Cannes International Film Festival last year and delivered a stylish award presentation, is participating in the production of a new Netflix original film in the U.S.

He is producing I Believe In A Thing Called Love, based on the youth romance novel of the same name by Korean-American writer Maureen Goo, and is in talks to play the father of the teenage female protagonist. The film tells the story of Desi, a high school student who uses the rules of Korean dramas to date a boyfriend.

A representative from a production company said, "High-quality works have steadily built recognition overseas and have achieved great success in recent years. Now everyone knows that the quality and entertainment value of Korean films and domestically produced content are high."

They added, "K-content has become a brand, not a temporary craze. Many famous overseas producers and actors have expressed their desire to work with domestic creators and actors. Dreaming of 'breaking into Hollywood' is now a thing of the past. Flexible 'collaborations' that break down borders are expected to become the new form of production."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.