Global OTT Service Market Activation... Increased Interest in K-Content Stocks

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hyowon] Netflix's Korean original drama series 'Ojingeo Game' (Squid Game) has attracted global attention as it remains the number one Netflix content for a week, bringing spotlight to companies related to K-content.

Released on the 17th, the Netflix series 'Ojingeo Game' became the first Korean drama to rank first worldwide in the TV program category since its release, receiving continuous praise from foreign media including the US CNN.

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos mentioned Ojingeo Game as content that has the potential to become the most popular work in Netflix history, reaffirming its popularity. Netflix invested about 770 billion KRW in K-content production from 2016 to 2020 and announced plans to invest 550 billion KRW this year alone, emphasizing high expectations for K-content.

Many OTT experts also predict that Netflix will continue to increase the production of Korean original content centered on domestic content producers with global competitiveness. It appears they believe entertainment companies that capture both content production and global competitiveness have a winning chance.

The Ojingeo Game craze has also sparked enthusiastic reactions from domestic and overseas fans toward the actors who delivered passionate performances in the series. Lead actors Lee Jung-jae and Jung Ho-yeon have shown solid acting skills and are receiving great love from international fans.

Along with self-produced content from OTT platforms such as Netflix, Watcha, and Coupang Play, interest is growing in the performances of domestic actors, drawing attention to the entertainment company known as a gathering place for skilled actors, Studio Santa Claus.

Recently, Studio Santa Claus's self-produced Netflix series 'My Name' is also scheduled for release on the 15th, generating high expectations. Directed by Kim Jin-min, who received acclaim for 'Extracurricular' on Netflix, this work depicts a ruthless truth and revenge story about a daughter seeking the killer of her father, and is considered a potential follow-up hit to Ojingeo Game.

Studio Santa Claus is known as an entertainment company with the largest number of actors among listed domestic entertainment companies, boasting outstanding actors such as Joo Won, Ryu Kyung-soo, Kim Ok-bin, Kim Yoon-seok, Kim Sung-oh, and Cha Joo-young. It is also praised for its differentiated competitiveness as an entertainment company by actively engaging in self-produced content creation and distribution business within OTT platforms.

Studio Santa Claus's flagship actor, Joo Won, was confirmed as the lead in the Netflix series film 'Carter,' raising expectations. He will play Carter, an agent deployed on a mysterious mission with all memories lost, showcasing intense action scenes in a breath-taking chase.

Actor Ryu Kyung-soo has been confirmed to appear in upcoming Netflix series 'My Name,' 'Hellbound,' 'Greech,' and the tentative title 'Jeong-i.' With his versatile charm portraying diverse characters, he is expected to firmly establish his presence as 'Netflix's man' among domestic and international viewers.

Actress Lim Hyun-joo, who gained sensational popularity through 'Heart Signal,' made a successful debut with the web drama 'Woong Woong 2' on KT's domestic OTT platform 'Season.' She will next play Min Seo-hye in 'Mr. LEE,' Korea's first 4D interactive web drama, showcasing a fresh look and lively acting. 'Mr. LEE' is a mystery thriller currently under discussion with major domestic and international OTT platforms receiving love calls.

Actor Choi Tae-joon starred in the web drama 'So I Married an Anti-Fan,' based on a webtoon, through global OTT platforms such as iQIYI and YouTube. Alongside actress Sooyoung, he captivated not only domestic fans but also overseas fans with sweet romance acting.

A representative of Studio Santa Claus said, “Based on extensive experience in drama and film production and the broad infrastructure of our actors, we will continue strategic partnerships with high-growth OTT platforms to enhance corporate value. We will do our best to contribute to the K-content boom syndrome by nurturing skilled actors as well as fostering cultural content businesses including content production, investment, and distribution.”