K-Dramas Are Booming Abroad, But Production at Home Is Crumbling

South Korean television dramas remain a dominant global export, but the industry that makes them is reportedly under serious strain. Twelve South Korean industry groups told the government on Wednesday, Nov 5, that the country’s drama production base risked collapse, according to CNA and the South China Morning Post.

What happened

The coalition, which includes producers, directors, writers, actors, cinematographers and other crew members, called on authorities to invest in and support K-drama production. CNA reported that the number of titles produced has fallen by about 30 percent from the 141 made in 2022, a figure attributed to the Korea Drama Production Association.

The decline is also visible at the broadcast level. According to CNA, the country’s three domestic broadcast networks reduced their drama output from 91 titles in 2012 to just 32 in 2023. Some channels have stopped airing weekday dramas altogether, the groups said. Separately, the Korea Herald described an industry where crews routinely face long and demanding shoots, inconsistent pay, and contracts that leave them with little job security.

Why it matters

K-dramas have become one of South Korea’s most recognizable cultural exports, helping fuel interest in Korean fashion, food and tourism far beyond Asia. A shrinking production base could mean fewer new shows reaching international streaming platforms over time, even as demand for the genre remains strong abroad.

The groups linked the downturn to rising production costs, driven partly by competition with well-funded global streaming platforms, according to CNA. They also pointed to broadcasters having less capacity to invest and ongoing difficulties securing intellectual property rights, which affects how shows are financed and distributed.

Our read: the gap between the genre’s global popularity and its domestic production health suggests that commercial success for individual hit shows is not necessarily translating into stability for the industry that makes them.

Background

Korean television has built its global reputation on distinctive storytelling and high production values, elements that have helped it stand out in a crowded streaming market. That reputation, however, sits alongside a work culture that the Korea Herald says has struggled to modernize alongside the industry’s rising international profile.

The Herald’s reporting points to a fragmented production system and a reliance on shooting schedules arranged close to broadcast dates, which it says contributes to grueling hours and safety concerns for crews. These structural issues, long known within the industry, are now surfacing publicly as production numbers decline.

What to watch

It remains to be seen how the South Korean government will respond to the industry groups’ request for investment and support. Whether broadcasters and streaming platforms adjust their funding models, and whether intellectual property arrangements become easier for domestic producers to secure, are also factors likely to shape the sector’s near-term trajectory.

Labor conditions highlighted by the Korea Herald may also draw further attention, particularly if production volume continues to shrink and existing crews are asked to take on more work under similar contract terms. How these two threads — funding and labor — intersect could determine whether the industry stabilizes or contracts further.

Frequently asked questions

Why are Korean drama groups warning about a possible collapse?

Twelve industry groups told the government that production has fallen sharply and asked for investment and support, according to CNA and SCMP, citing rising costs and shrinking broadcaster investment.

How much has K-drama production declined?

Output has dropped about 30 percent from 141 titles in 2022, based on figures from the Korea Drama Production Association, while the three main broadcast networks cut their output from 91 titles in 2012 to 32 in 2023.

What working conditions does the industry face behind the scenes?

The Korea Herald reports that crews deal with insecure contracts, unfair terms and excessive hours, problems it links to a fragmented production structure and heavy reliance on live shooting schedules.

Sources

• The Korea Herald: Behind Korea’s drama boom lies a harsh production reality
• CNA: South Korean TV drama production at risk of collapse, industry groups warn
• South China Morning Post: Crash landing for K-dramas? Waning output threatens genre’s future

This article was prepared with AI assistance from the reports listed above and automatically checked against them. See About for how we work.