MCST to Open International Broadcasting and Media Market at COEX on September 16

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) announced on August 19 that, together with the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), it will host the '2025 International Broadcasting and Media Market (BCWW)' at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, from September 16 to 19.

BCWW, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, is Asia's largest broadcasting and online video service (OTT) content market, supporting the export of K-content and facilitating information exchange among domestic and international video industry professionals. Last year, the event attracted over 10,000 industry participants from more than 30 countries, resulting in export contracts worth approximately $86.24 million (about KRW 119.7 billion).

This year's event, themed 'Window to What's Next,' aims to invigorate the broadcasting and OTT video industries as they lead the era of KRW 300 trillion K-culture. The event will feature: ▲ exhibition halls for content and platform companies, ▲ showcases, and ▲ business matching sessions connecting producers, buyers, and investors. There will also be a variety of lectures highlighting the latest video industry technologies and trends, as well as public events such as a K-OTT promotional hall and a FAST (Free Ad-supported Streaming TV) experience zone based on smart TV real-time playback services.

In celebration of the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France next year, France has been selected as this year's guest of honor. Key figures from France's broadcasting, OTT, film, and animation sectors, including the National Center for Cinema and the Moving Image (CNC), which oversees the French video industry, are scheduled to visit Korea. At BCWW, there will be a French national pavilion, special programs such as major company content showcases and lectures, and expanded opportunities for collaboration between the two countries' video industries, including export and co-production partnerships.

More than 10 diverse lectures, offering knowledge and insights from the industry, will feature speakers such as Lee Myunghan, CEO of Egg Is Coming, and renowned media scholar Alan Wolk.

At the K-OTT promotional hall, companies such as Coupang Play and TVING will promote their content-including 'Shooting Star' and 'Iron Girl Squad'-as well as upcoming releases scheduled for later this year. The FAST promotional hall, which is gaining attention as a new distribution channel for K-content, will offer visitors hands-on demonstrations and experiential events, allowing them to experience various real-time streaming services and explore the future growth potential of these services.

Lim Sunghwan, Director General of the Media Policy Bureau at the MCST, stated, "As the International Broadcasting and Media Market marks its 25th anniversary this year, we hope it will not only provide multifaceted support for the export of K-content, but also serve as a platform for industry professionals to discuss sustainable industry growth. The MCST will do its utmost to ensure the successful hosting of the event in the coming months."