K-drama in Crisis Polarizes Industry Needs Policies to Respond to Global OTT Capital
May 19, 2025
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On the 19th, a meeting on the improvement of the K-drama industry system and policy proposals was held at the National Assembly Hall. The meeting was organized to explore the sustainability of the domestic drama industry, which is facing a serious crisis despite the recent stellar performance of K-dramas in the global market, and to discuss practical policy alternatives.
The meeting was co-hosted by the K-Culture and Power Committee, the Jalsanism Culture and Arts Committee, which is directly under the candidates of the Korea Election Commission, and the Korea Drama Producers Association, and key figures and drama production company representatives, including lawmakers Lee Ki-hun and Kim Joon-hyuk, chairman Lee Woo-jong and president Song Byung-joon, attended to share the voices of the field and seek policy solutions.
Rep. Lee Ki-heon emphasized that "a grand compromise is needed for institutional intervention at the government level and coexistence among industrial actors" and expressed his will to promote practical legislation, such as enacting a special law on the drama industry". Representative Kim Joon-hyuk emphasized the social and cultural values of Korean dramas and said, "We will strive to support policies to protect our drama industry in a global capital-oriented production environment.'
At the meeting, complex crisis factors such as reduced programming, worsening profit structure, soaring performance fees, and advertising regulations experienced by production companies and broadcasters were discussed. In particular, drama producers intensively raised structural risks due to uncertainty in organization, distribution delays, and difficulty in recovering funds.
On this day, the Korea Drama Producers Association systematically announced policy tasks centered on the above, and participants presented various opinions on the direction of institutional improvement and the role of the National Assembly and the government through free speech. In particular, the importance of establishing a system for regular communication and cooperation between industry and politics was sympathetic.
In his closing remarks, Lee Woo-jong, co-chairman of the committee, said, "The government needs to give clear policy signals to respond to the polarization of the drama industry and the impact of global OTT capital. If the ruling party becomes the ruling party, we will push for substantial improvement of the system using administrative and legislative powers." he said. Song Byung-joon, president of the association, also emphasized the need for bold policy intervention beyond conventional support, saying, "Now should be the structural turning point for the K-drama industry."," he stressed.
This meeting is a meaningful place where the National Assembly and the industry shared a sense of crisis and discussed practical policy solutions, and is expected to lead the sustainable development of the drama industry through institutionalization and policy reflection in the future.
silk781220@sportschosun.com
