K-Dramas Conquer Europe: Local Remakes on the Rise

Korean dramas are rapidly expanding their presence in Europe, evolving from widespread streaming success to embracing local adaptation and co-development strategies. This new phase was discussed during a Mip London session focused on the genre's growing impact across the continent.

Executives noted that while global hits like 'Squid Game' in 2021 significantly increased K-drama accessibility worldwide, the current trend involves deeper regional engagement. Korean series are now charting in Netflix's Top 10 across multiple European territories for extended periods, with a notable presence on platforms like Prime Video in the U.K. and major French broadcasters.

The unique originality and genre-blending inherent in Korean storytelling are identified as key drivers of their appeal. However, adapting these narratives for Western audiences involves navigating cultural differences and tonal adjustments, particularly concerning sensitive themes and emotional expression, to preserve the core intellectual property.

This evolution is accelerating as production companies actively pursue remakes of popular Korean intellectual property. For instance, the erotic revenge thriller 'Eve' is being adapted due to its strong performance. The strategy is shifting towards producing Korean stories in multiple languages through international partnerships, fostering closer collaboration between Korean and global companies.

Looking forward, the next stage of K-drama growth in Europe is anticipated to be fueled by these collaborations, including the development of original concepts designed with global audiences in mind from their inception. This indicates a maturing market where Korean content is becoming an integral part of the international production landscape.