[Disney+ Review] The Prestige of an IP Kingdom... Service Errors Need Improvement

'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings' ~ 'Star Wars' Series
Original Works Spanning New Releases and Classics
Korean Content Only 17 Titles Combined in Drama and Variety
Mobile Adult Verification Errors and Subtitle Issues Remain Challenges

I tried running Disney's online video service (OTT) 'Disney Plus(+)' using IPTV. At the very top of the screen, the latest popular content videos were displayed, and just below, six major brands were lined up side by side.

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] Disney Plus (+), considered the only rival to Netflix, the No. 1 online video streaming service (OTT) platform in Korea, officially launched its service in Korea on the 12th. From midnight on that day, online community reviews from Disney fans who had been eagerly waiting poured in.

Disney+ is an online and mobile platform that does not require a separate set-top box. It can be accessed through various devices such as Android and iOS-based mobile phones and tablets, smart TVs, and connected TVs. It is also possible to watch on a TV or other monitor via 'AirPlay,' a type of mirroring service for Apple TV.

The left side shows the TV screen directly accessing Disney+ through IPTV, and the right side shows the TV screen cast using Chromecast from the mobile app.

I signed up for membership through the mobile application (app) and paid a monthly subscription fee of 9,900 KRW. Previewing before payment was not possible. I decided to try Disney+ through IPTV, which is my usual way of enjoying OTT services. I accessed the Disney+ app by pressing the IPTV menu of LG Uplus, which I had been using. On the menu screen, Disney+ was placed at the top along with 'Idol Nara,' 'Netflix,' and 'YouTube.' IPTV users can also utilize the Chromecast function built into the U+ TV set-top box.

The first impression of the Disney+ screen felt somewhat plain compared to existing OTTs. Unlike competitors who emphasize the main video that auto-plays on the first screen or focus on unique content placement, Disney+ appeared rather moderate. At the very top of the screen, the latest Disney+ works and original series were prominently displayed, and the six individual brands that Disney had emphasized and promoted, such as 'Disney,' 'Marvel,' and 'Star,' were placed just below. Various contents were categorized and grouped as recommended content below.

The abundance of original works, which is Disney+'s greatest strength, personally stood out as a major advantage. Especially, 2021 works such as the latest Marvel series 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,' 'Black Widow,' and 'Cruella,' which attracted large audiences in theaters this year, were uploaded. There was also a rich selection of content for 30-40s customers who enjoy nostalgic sci-fi and action classics, from kids' series specialized for children to Marvel and Star Wars series.

Some scenes from the trailer of the movie 'Soul' included on Disney+

The 'Collection' series utilizing original intellectual property (IP) also caught attention. For example, entering the 'Frozen Collection' allowed viewing of 'Frozen' 1 and 2, making-of videos, and spin-offs of the popular character 'Olaf,' such as 'Olaf's Birth' and 'Olaf's Frozen Adventure.' In the 'Avengers Collection,' viewers could watch documentaries highlighting Marvel Studios like 'Secrets of the Superhero Squad' and animated versions of Avengers movies. It seemed perfect for enthusiasts who want to enjoy original works in various forms.

However, Korean content was noticeably lacking compared to Netflix or domestic OTTs like Wavve, TVING, and Watcha. Including dramas and variety shows, there were only 17 Korean titles in total. The only original work was the popular variety show 'Running Man' spin-off 'Running Man: The One Who Runs Above the One Who Plays,' released simultaneously with Disney+ Korea's launch, indicating a lack of original competitiveness. Disney+ plans to release multiple works, including the hero series 'Moving,' based on Kang Full's webtoon, but customers who prefer domestic content are likely to find it unsatisfactory.

Disney+ Mobile App Screen

Although Disney+ emphasized country-specific UI/UX customization before the service launch, it still seemed insufficient to captivate the demanding Korean consumers. More detailed customization was needed from the Korean consumer perspective, such as subtitle and audio settings. Changing subtitle size or font settings was not possible. While it was positive that audio and subtitles were supported in various languages besides Korean, additional improvements in detailed aspects seemed necessary.

Most importantly, the biggest issue was an error in the mobile app where entering the PIN number for adult verification to access 19+ content was impossible. I contacted customer service by phone on the morning of the 13th, but as of two days later, no separate response had been received. This issue was also raised by multiple consumers in Disney+ mobile app reviews, and many customers continued to report similar complaints up to that day. However, attempting adult verification on the online website immediately resolved the problem. Disney+ has a policy of conducting adult verification annually.

The service price is 9,900 KRW per month, which amounts to 99,000 KRW annually. The annual plan offers a 15% discount. Since up to four devices can connect simultaneously, it seemed suitable for family use. Profiles can be segmented into up to seven. Considering it is not more expensive than competitors, it appeared to be worth using.