Korean Content Takes Center Stage at Disney+ with 'Moving' and 'Knock Off'

Korean creator 강풀's 'Moving' is not the only title making waves, as actor 김수현's 'Knock Off' and actress 김혜수's 'Trigger' are also captivating audiences with their unique storytelling. On November 21, 2024, the Walt Disney Company (TWDC) announced a plethora of upcoming Disney+ APAC original content during the 'Disney Content Showcase 2024' held at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

The showcase, which took place over two days on November 20 and 21, featured announcements from various Disney studios, including Marvel Studios, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, and Lucasfilm. The event highlighted upcoming Korean original series set to premiere on Disney+, with key cast and production teams from titles such as 'Lighting Store', 'Trigger', 'Hyperknife', 'Knock Off', 'Nine Puzzle', and 'Pine: The Country Bumpkins' in attendance. The lineup also included highly anticipated projects like 'Polaris', starring 전지현 and 강동원, and 'Made in Korea', featuring 현빈 and 정우성.

A significant highlight of the event was the announcement of new Korean original content. 'Tangled', Disney+'s first original historical drama series, is helmed by director 추창민, known for the blockbuster 'Gwanghae, The Man Who Became King', and writer 천성일, who returns to historical dramas after 14 years. The cast includes rising stars 로운, 신예은, 박서함, and 박지환, promising a high-quality production. Another notable project is 'Sculpture City', starring 지창욱 and 도경수, written by 오상호, who previously worked on 'Crime City 4' and 'Taxi Driver'. The series will be co-directed by 박신우 and 김창주, both recognized for their dynamic directing styles. Both 'Tangled' and 'Sculpture City' are set to be released globally on Disney+ in 2025.

Additionally, Disney confirmed the development of 'Moving' Season 2, following the success of the original series, which has redefined the action hero genre and created a global phenomenon. Upon its release, 'Moving' became a global hit on Disney+ and Hulu, ranking first in the local content category for Disney+ in 2023. The series has garnered numerous accolades, including nominations at the 29th Critics' Choice Awards for Best Foreign Language Series and multiple wins at the 2023 Asia Content Awards, the 59th Daejong Film Awards, and the 60th Baeksang Arts Awards.

Since launching original content production in the Asia-Pacific region in 2021, Disney has released over 130 Disney+ APAC original series. Notably, Korean content dominated the viewership charts last year, with nine out of the top 15 most-watched local original series on Disney+. This year, the action drama 'Killer's Shopping Mall' emerged as the most-watched series in the Asia-Pacific region, while the reality show 'Is This Right?!', featuring BTS members 지민 and 정국, topped the region's reality program viewership.

Carol Choi, Executive Vice President of Original Content Strategy for The Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific, stated, "Stories produced in the Asia-Pacific region are creating passionate fanbases worldwide due to their exceptional quality. We are thrilled that the region is becoming a source of creative inspiration for global storytellers, and we will continue to focus on selecting high-quality original content from the Asia-Pacific region. We look forward to presenting outstanding tentpole content in collaboration with the best production companies and actors in the entertainment industry."

김소연, the representative of The Walt Disney Company Korea, emphasized, "Korean content is gaining attention for its authentic storytelling and world-class production capabilities, achieving success both domestically and globally. Starting from the end of this year into next year, we will introduce Korean original content featuring exceptional production teams, star-studded casts, and authentic stories to audiences worldwide, continuing our efforts to deliver differentiated storytelling that only Disney can offer."