REPORTER’S NOTEBOOKKorean content steals spotlight at Disney+ preview event
Journalists watch a showcase of Disney+ series “The Manipulated” during the Disney+ Originals Preview event in Hong Kong, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Baek Byung-yeul
HONG KONG — At Disney+ Originals Preview held Thursday at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Korean content emerged as the undeniable star of the show, drawing thunderous applause and reactions from around 400 journalists representing 14 countries, including Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, Brazil, Japan and the United States.
The atmosphere was electric and felt more like a K-pop concert than a corporate showcase. The moment Korean titles were announced, the hall burst into cheers, underscoring Korea’s growing influence in Disney’s global content strategy.
The excitement hit its peak when actor Ji Chang-wook, a lead actor of “The Manipulated,” stepped on stage. His appearance turned the venue into a sea of flashing cameras and loud cheers, bringing back memories of Hollywood stars visiting Seoul in the early 2000s. Every move and word from Ji drew applause, while teaser clips featuring other Korean stars set off loud cheers across the room.
Fellow Korean stars Hyun Bin, Ju Ji-hoon, Park Bo-young and Lee Dong-wook received the same energy and excitement when they appeared onstage to introduce their upcoming Disney+ works.
IU, left, and Byeon Woo-seok in a scene from upcoming MBC TV drama “Perfect Crown,” which will also be released onDisney+ / Courtesy of Walt Disney Company
IU and Byeon Woo-seok’s upcoming romance drama, “Perfect Crown,” received some of the most enthusiastic reactions of the day, despite the actors only appearing in a prerecorded video. Set in a fictional Korea with a constitutional monarchy, the drama, scheduled to be released in the first half of 2026, explores romance between royalty and a powerful businesswoman.
Southeast Asian reporters highlighted Korea’s influence in the region, noting that K-pop, dramas, movies and celebrities are now among the most influential content in their home countries.
“If we do not cover these stories, our readers lose interest,” an Indonesian journalist said.
“Korean entertainers captivate our fans, especially female fans, with warmth, excitement and a remarkable variety of genres. Online, Indonesian fans are among the most active supporters of Korean content anywhere.”
When Luke Kang, president of Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific, shared the recently announced strategic partnership bringing Korean streaming service Tving’s Korean lineup to Japanese viewers, the announcement was met with particularly strong applause.
Kang also repeatedly referenced Korea as a linchpin of Disney’s global content ambitions and noted the rapid growth of Korean drama viewership in Latin America, especially Brazil and Mexico.
From left, actors Lee Se-young, Ju Ji-hoon and Shin Min-a attend the Disney+ Originals Preview event to introduce their upcoming Disney+ series, “The Remarried Empress,” in Hong Kong, Thursday. Courtesy of Walt Disney Company
Eric Schrier, president of Disney Television Studios and Global Original Television Strategy at Disney Entertainment, spoke directly about what makes Korean content stand out.
“Korean dramas and creators have a unique ability to tap into global themes, rooted in humanity and warmth, combined with ingenuity and excellent filmmaking quality,” he said.
Anticipation also grew for unscripted projects like BTS members Jimin and Jungkook’s reality travel show “Are You Sure?!” Season 2 and the survival series “Battle of Fates,” which brings together 49 fortune-tellers in skill-based challenges. These titles are expected to further boost the global reach of Korean entertainment.
The event also showcased major Japanese projects, including an ambitious collaboration with game legend Hideo Kojima on an animated adaptation of his hit game Death Stranding, along with a strong lineup of animations aimed at global audiences. Korean content, however, captured much of the spotlight, signaling the continued strength of its cultural influence worldwide.