Since it launched in 2021, Disney+ has been making serious moves in the Korean content world—dropping over 40 Korean original series and helping K-content grow both locally and globally. Hits like Moving, Big Bet, A Shop for Killers, and Light Shop aren’t just popular in Korea—they’ve gained global attention, proving that Korean storytelling really resonates everywhere.
“Building on past achievements, we are maintaining the momentum of Korean content by continuously delivering premium content across diverse genres and formats under a solid strategy and direction,” Disney+ shared. “We aim to continue to be a platform that brings joy and immersion to global viewers and contributes to the global expansion of K-content through close collaboration with outstanding Korean partners.”
Looking to 2025 and beyond, Disney+ isn’t slowing down. The platform plans to bring Korean content to more global audiences by mixing authentic storytelling with more experimental formats and genre diversity. The idea is simple: lean into what makes Korean content special, while staying ahead of viewer trends.
Let’s talk strategy. Disney+ is focusing on four main areas to keep K-content fresh and exciting:
- Tentpole Content: Think large-scale, high-quality series with top-tier talent.
- Curated Selection: Balancing those blockbusters with smaller, diverse stories and unique genres.
- Franchise Series: Building potential long-running series with global appeal by working closely with Korean creators.
- New Opportunities: Testing out new content formats that reflect how people are watching these days—fast, flexible, and on the go.
This strategy seems to be working. In fact, Korean productions made up 9 of the top 15 most-watched local original titles on Disney+ globally in both 2023 and 2024. That’s a pretty big deal.
Some standout examples? Big Bet broke records for Disney+ Korean originals when Season 2 dropped. Moving was the most-watched local original content worldwide on Disney+ in 2023, and it cleaned up at major awards shows—winning more than 10, including from Baeksang and the Grand Bell Awards. It even got a nod at the U.S. Critics Choice Awards.
Meanwhile, A Shop for Killers became the most-watched Disney+ Korean original of 2024 and made the New York Times’ list of “Best International TV Shows of 2024.” Light Shop followed closely behind as the second most-watched Korean show on the platform (just 12 days after release!).
The 2026 lineup is looking just as strong. One of the most talked-about upcoming series is Delusion—a thriller set in 1935 Gyeongseong starring Suzy and Kim Seon-ho. Directed by Han Jae-rim, the show follows artist Yoon Yi-ho as he paints the portrait of the mysterious Song Jeong-hwa, who’s been living in isolation for decades.
Then there’s Fate War 49, a survival variety show with 49 destiny tellers from all kinds of backgrounds battling it out in intense missions. It marks Disney+’s return to the variety scene, and fans are ready for it.
Some new shows on the way this year include:
- Low Life: A gritty crime drama based on a webtoon, starring Ryu Seung-ryong and Yang Se-jong. It’s about villagers caught up in the chaos of a sunken treasure ship.
- Tempest: Featuring Jun Ji-hyun, Kang Dong-won, and even John Cho, this political thriller follows a former UN ambassador and a secretive agent unraveling a huge conspiracy on the Korean Peninsula.
- The Murky Stream: A historical drama set in a lawless Joseon-era river town, starring Rowoon and Shin Ye-eun, with direction from Choo Chang-min and writing by Chun Sung-il.
- The Manipulated: Ji Chang-wook and Doh Kyung-soo lead this revenge thriller packed with psychological warfare and sharp action sequences.
- Made in Korea: Set in the 1970s, this drama stars Hyun Bin and Jung Woo-sung as two rivals battling for power and wealth. It’s written by Park Eun-kyo and directed by Woo Min-ho.
On the production side, Disney+ is doubling down on collaboration. It’s working with Hive Media Corp. on Made in Korea and has confirmed Season 2 of A Shop for Killers with Merry Christmas, showing that long-term partnerships are key to building global franchises.
“Upholding its brand value of delivering the ultimate entertainment experience,” Disney+ said, “we aim to lead the sustainable growth and global expansion of K-content through premium content featuring authentic storytelling and diverse genre elements.”
Source (1)
