Global OTT Content Gathers in Busan
2025 International Streaming Festival Kicks Off as an Independent Event
Globally popular OTT content, including the sensational 'K-Pop Demon Hunters,' has gathered in Busan.
The 2025 International Streaming Festival, the only international event in Korea dedicated to the streaming industry, kicked off on August 22 and will continue until August 25 at the Paradise Hotel Busan and Busan Cinema Center. The event is co-hosted by the Korea International Streaming Festival (Co-Executive Directors Kim Bokgeun and Kim Sungcheol) and the National IT Industry Promotion Agency.
This year, the festival has expanded in scale, becoming an independent event instead of being held in conjunction with the Busan International Film Festival as in previous years.
Park Hyeongjun, Mayor of Busan.
The 2025 International Streaming Festival, in particular, has become a catalyst for envisioning the future of the OTT industry by integrating artificial intelligence technology with content. At the International Streaming Summit on August 22, global research and analysis firms Omdia and Statista presented on 'Global Streaming Industry Trends and Outlook' and 'Content Personalization and Global Expansion Strategies Driven by AI Technology,' respectively.
Ryu Jemyoung, the Second Vice Minister of Science and ICT, who attended the festival, offered his congratulations, stating, "I hope the International Streaming Festival will become a platform to design the future of the streaming industry opened by AI, and foster new collaborations among companies, across borders, and between nations."
On August 23 and 24 at the Paradise Hotel, an investment showcase will be held, drawing attention with IR presentations from AI-based OTT and media technology companies. On August 24, outstanding content proposals from domestic broadcasters and production companies will be presented.
On August 22 at 8 p.m. at the outdoor theater of the Busan Cinema Center, Netflix explained its audio description technology for 'K-Pop Demon Hunters,' demonstrating how all viewers can enjoy content without barriers.
During a demonstration of Netflix's audio description service, a Netflix representative showcased both the audio broadcast and the word 'Netflix' written in braille, emphasizing the importance of Korean dubbing as an option for far more people than expected, including children, the elderly, multitaskers, the visually impaired, and those with low vision.
At the Durelaum Square of the Busan Cinema Center, TVING operated interactive events and outdoor photo booth zones, where visitors could experience becoming a cast member of original series such as 'Great Escape: The Story' and 'The Seventh Member,' and enter for special prizes. These activities will run until August 23.
The 2025 International Streaming Festival Global OTT Awards, to be held on August 24 at the outdoor theater of the Busan Cinema Center, has drawn the most attention of this festival, with over 140 works from around the world competing in 19 categories.
Domestic actors such as Park Eunbin from 'Hyper Knife,' Oh Jungse from 'Good Boy,' Yum Hyeran and Choi Daehun from 'Boksok Sokassuda,' Kang Yuseok from both 'Boksok Sokassuda' and 'Someday Wise Resident Life,' Lee Suhyun from 'Family Planning,' and Jung Subin from 'Good Competition' will be in attendance.
International stars including Sakaguchi Kentaro from 'What Comes After Love,' Berik Aitzhanov from '4°C,' Baek Kyungjung from 'Nanhong,' Natarat Nopparattayapon from 'Mad Unicorn,' Wang Chenyuan from 'Bleach,' Bando Ryota from 'Lion's Lair,' Saphengwon from 'Chamyeong Isang,' and Zhong Xinling and Suli Lin from 'Spotlight Is Mine' will also gather at the event.
Among these, 'Nanhong,' 'I Liked Every Girl in My Class,' and '4°C' will host screenings and Q&A sessions with the audience.
The grand finale of the event, the 'OST Concert: OTT, Streaming, contacT,' will take place at 7 p.m. on August 25 at the outdoor theater of the Busan Cinema Center. This two-hour narrative performance is structured around three themes, connecting the past, present, and future.
The 2025 International Streaming Festival continues its journey toward 'Endless Imagination, Infinite Streaming World: KOREA is STREAMING,' offering a unique opportunity to experience both widely acclaimed and rarely seen works from Korea and abroad in one place.
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