Disney+ Accelerates Global Expansion with Korean and Japanese Content

New Titles Unveiled in Hong Kong
Lineup Features Top Stars Including Hyun Bin, Jung Woosung, and IU
Major Reveal of Japanese Animation as Well

From the left: 'Made in Korea', 'Sculpture City', 'Fate War 49', 'Goldland', 'Killers' Shopping Mall Season 2', 'Remarriage Empress', 'Temptation', 'Death Stranding: Isolation (working title)', 'Travis Japan Summer Vacation in the USA', 'Daigo Project (working title)', 'Mary Berry Love (working title)', '21st Century Great Lady'

Disney+ is accelerating its push into the global streaming market, leveraging Korean and Japanese original content as its main weapon. This strategy involves expanding investment as Asian content rapidly gains traction in North America, Europe, and Latin America.

According to Disney, Korean content is experiencing rapid growth in Latin America, particularly in Brazil and Mexico. Japanese animation is also seeing a surge in viewership in France, Brazil, and Mexico. For top-tier titles, more than 60% of viewing hours come from outside Asia, including the United States and Europe.

Riding this upward momentum, Disney+ held the "Disney+ Originals Preview" event at Hong Kong Disneyland on November 13 (local time), unveiling a large lineup of new Korean and Japanese titles. Luke Kang, President of Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific Region, stated, "We are strengthening collaborations with the best local storytellers, drawing inspiration from various fields such as webtoons, games, and music."

Luke Kang, President of Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific Region

Korean Lineup Led by Top Stars

In Korea, "Made in Korea," starring Hyun Bin and Jung Woosung, will be released on December 24. Set in the 1970s, the series depicts a man who pursues wealth and power by making the nation itself his business model, and the prosecutor who tracks him down. A second season has already been confirmed.

"21st Century Great Lady," starring IU and Byun Wooseok, will air next year. It is a romance about breaking down social barriers, set in a constitutional monarchy version of Korea. The travel variety show "Is This Right?! Season 2," featuring BTS members Jimin and Jungkook, will be released on December 3.

Recently released or in-production titles are also drawing attention. Notable examples include "Sculpture City," starring Ji Changwook and Doh Kyungsoo; "Killers' Shopping Mall Season 2," reuniting Lee Dongwook and Kim Hyejun; and "Goldland," starring Park Boyoung and Kim Sungcheol. The survival variety show "Fate War 49," featuring 49 fortune tellers, is also highly anticipated.

There is also a strong lineup of webtoon-based drama adaptations. "Remarriage Empress," starring Shin Mina, Ju Jihoon, Lee Jongsuk, and Lee Seyoung, as well as "Temptation," starring Suzy and Kim Seonho, will be released next year.

'Made in Korea' Still Cut

Japanese Strategy Leveraging Game IP

In Japan, the animated series "Death Stranding: Isolation," produced in collaboration with game creator Hideo Kojima, is attracting attention. Based on the globally popular game of the same name, it will present a new storyline, with Takayuki Sano directing.

The latter half of "Disney Twisted Wonderland: Animation," as well as popular anime titles such as "Tokyo Revengers: Tenjiku Arc" and "Medalist Season 2," will also be released next year. The Korean-Japanese romantic comedy "Mary Berry Love," starring Ji Changwook and Imada Mio, is currently in production.

The reality show "Daigo Project," produced by Daigo of the Japanese comedy duo Chidori, and the variety documentary featuring idol group Travis Japan, will be released in the summer of next year.

Carol Choi, Head of Original Content Strategy for Disney Asia Pacific, said, "From drama to animation, we aim to create content that resonates with viewers across generations and regions." Since entering the Asia-Pacific market in 2021, Disney has produced 155 original series.