HBO Originals Now Available on Coupang Play in South Korea

HBO's acclaimed series, including classics like Game of Thrones and The Sopranos, as well as recent hits such as The White Lotus and The Last of Us, are now accessible to South Korean audiences. Coupang Play has partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery to launch a service featuring HBO and its sister OTT platform Max's original content, starting March 21. Currently, over 140 titles are available for streaming, with new releases expected to be added regularly.

While some HBO shows have previously been available through local cable channels or OTT services, this marks the first time a single platform offers exclusive access to the entire HBO catalog. Fans of American dramas are excited, as they can now easily watch series that were previously hard to find without resorting to illegal means. Viewer reviews are already pouring in.

The creators of The Last of Us expressed their enthusiasm for the show's release in Korea. HBO is known for producing award-winning content, frequently recognized at prestigious ceremonies like the Emmys and Golden Globes. The network is celebrated not only for trendy shows like Sex and the City and Gossip Girl (reboot) but also for its high-quality storytelling and sharp messages.

Among the shows generating buzz is The Last of Us, which depicts a post-apocalyptic world where a fungal infection turns humans into hosts. The first season, released in 2023, received 24 Emmy nominations and won eight awards. Another popular title is The White Lotus Season 3, featuring BLACKPINK's Lisa, which revolves around mysterious deaths at luxurious resorts in Hawaii, Italy, and Thailand.

Succession, often dubbed the modern Game of Thrones, also joins the lineup. This series won the Golden Globe for Best Drama, competing against Squid Game's first season, and explores the power struggles within a wealthy family. Other notable titles making their debut include The Penguin, a spinoff of The Batman starring Colin Farrell, and Dune: Part Two, expanding the Dune universe. Classic favorites like Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, and True Detective are also being revisited.

The arrival of HBO content in South Korea may signal a new trend in the local drama market, offering viewers a chance to experience a different style of storytelling. The creators of The Last of Us, including showrunner Craig Mazin, shared their excitement during a recent video interview, noting their admiration for BTS and the potential influence of Korean audiences on future trends. Mazin emphasized the universal themes present in HBO's narratives, whether they involve a nuclear reactor or a fungal disaster, aiming to connect with viewers on a deeper level.

Halley Gross, a writer for The Last of Us, highlighted HBO's focus on complex characters and relatable stories. He noted a shift back towards heroic figures in storytelling, contrasting with the previous popularity of anti-heroes. This mirrors trends in South Korea, where unique and fantastical genres have given way to more relatable themes in dramas. Mazin concluded that audiences crave the simple yet profound experiences of laughter, love, and heartbreak.