Culture ministry hopes to spur global spread of K-content

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Entertainment & Arts

Wed, December 6, 2023 | 16:27

Culture ministry hopes to spur global spread of K-content

Posted : 2023-05-16 16:39

Updated : 2023-05-17 13:31

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Bo-gyoon speaks during a press conference marking his first year in office held in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

By Kwak Yeon-soo

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Bo-gyoon said strengthening ties with U.S. streaming giant Netflix aims to promote local talent on the world stage and drive innovations in the country's cultural sector.

During President Yoon Suk Yeol's recent state visit to the U.S., the Korea Content Creative Agency and the Korean Film Council signed a memorandum of understanding with Netflix to foster young talent and produce a range of TV series, films and shows.

"It was the first time in history that a culture minister accompanied the president on his state visit. This reflects the growing importance of K-content and the role of culture in relations with other countries," the culture minister said during a press conference held in Seoul, Tuesday.

However, he noted that attracting foreign investment may be a double-edged sword.

"I understand that receiving heavy investment from global streamers has both benefits and drawbacks. The ministry will work on ways to maximize potential and minimize risk. We will roll out more policies to protect local OTT services and content creators. For instance, we will invest 30 billion won ($22.4 million) in exporting visual effects, subtitles and dubbing."

Park also stressed the importance of securing intellectual property (IP).

"Protecting IP for original content is important because they could be expanded into other types of content. In addition to the ministry's efforts to simplify copyright contracts, content creators should learn about and become more familiar with copyright protection laws," he said.

The ministry announced its plan to hold a special exhibition that puts a spotlight on the lifestyle of former presidents at Cheong Wa Dae, the former presidential office and residence, in June.

"The upcoming exhibition will shed light on the lifestyle of former presidents. We plan to display symbolic props that reflect their lifestyles and personalities. For instance, former President Kim Young-sam loved running in the morning. So we will display his jogging shoes. Former President Roh Moo-hyun was the first president to register a patent. We will display his invention, which is a reading aid device," he said.

The culture ministry plans to build the Danginri Culture Complex in Mapo-gu, Seoul, which will be completed by 2025.

"Once completed, the Danginri Culture Complex will offer a new appraisal of the place of performance art and gallery. It will become a landmark venue that has notable cultural importance like Tate Modern (in London)," Park said.

yeons.kwak@koreatimes.co.kr