South Korean TV drama production at risk of collapse, industry groups warn
The groups said broadcasters cut drama titles as production costs rose and ad revenue weakened, and they called for a 1 trillion won investment fund.
- On Wednesday, twelve South Korean industry groups warned that the K-drama production base faces collapse, urging the government to establish a 1 trillion won investment fund to support production.
- Rising production costs, fueled by global streaming competition and falling advertising income, have forced broadcasters to cut drama output by about 30% from 141 titles in 2022.
- Song Byeong-joon, chairman of the Korea Drama Production Association, noted the current environment hinders new talent, stating it is difficult for "a new writer's second work, a supporting actor's first lead role and an assistant crew member's directing debut."
- The 2027 draft budget will cut broadcast-video funding by 4.5 billion won , compounding challenges after broadcasting employment fell 2.3 percent in 2024.
- Kim Yong-hee, a professor at Sun Moon University, suggested these difficulties largely reflect the decline of terrestrial broadcasting rather than the entire content sector, which saw employment reach 693,090 in 2025.
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"The Lesson" Series Disclosure/Netflix Twelve South Korean cultural associations asked the government, on Wednesday (4), to invest and support the production of Korean television series, known as K-dramas, warning that the country's productive base runs the risk of collapse. K-dramas have been extremely popular around the world, but the number of productions fell by about 30% compared to the 141 titles of 2022, according to the Korean Drama Prod…
Crash landing for K-dramas? Waning output threatens genre’s future
Twelve South Korean industry groups urged the government on Wednesday to invest in and support production of Korean television dramas, known as K-dramas, warning that the country’s production base risked collapse. K-dramas have been hugely popular globally, but the number produced has fallen about 30 per cent from 141 titles in 2022, according to the Korea Drama Production Association. Three domestic broadcast networks cut drama output from…
12 domestic drama production companies and related associations held a press conference at the Korea Press Center and called for 1 trillion won support from the government to prevent the collapse of the production base. He pointed out the problem of workforce loss and decline in industrial capacity due to a sharp decline in production numbers, and stated that systematic investment at the national level is necessary for the future of K-dramas.
Korean drama production has plummeted due to soaring production costs and cuts to broadcast slots on mainstream TV. | A coalition of 12 organizations is urging the government to increase budget allocations and save the K-drama ecosystem. | Industry players are pushing to reduce dependence on foreign capital to build a uniquely Korean independent production scheme.
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