K-Drama Connect: Korean and US TV Writers Get Up Close and Personal in LA
by Rosemond Perdue
Greetings from Seoul!
It's been a whirlwind of a fall, and we're excited to share some highlights from our recent K-Drama Connect event in Los Angeles, held on September 27th, 2024.
Collaboration is the name of the game in today's global television landscape, and connecting Korean and US creatives is more important than ever.
Breakthrough Now Media was thrilled to partner with The Korea Foundation to bring together top Korean drama writers and US writer/producers for some face-to-face connection. (We also hosted a virtual one-on-one event the day before - check it out [here]!
Pictured: The Breakthrough Now Media team with leadership from the Korea Foundation and Pacific States University.
Four awesome Korean drama writers traveled to LA for a day of networking and creative brainstorming. They included:
Haram KIM (Big Mouth)
HyeongMin KIM (Unlock My Boss)
Jina KIM (Dr. Brain)
Chan LEE (Behind Every Star)
Pictured from Left to Right: Haram KIM Big Mouth (MBC, Disney +), HyeongMin KIM Unlock My Boss (ENA/Netflix),
Jina KIM Dr. Brain (Apple TV+), Chan LEE Behind Every Star (tvN, Netflix)
We also handpicked 10 US producers to join the fun and explore ways to collaborate. The setting? Olivia Restaurant in Ktown, co-owned by Grammy winning rapper Anderson .Paak. (Gotta love that cool K-vibe!)
The atmosphere at K-Drama Connect LA was both electric and welcoming.
The event gave writers and creators from USA and Korea the chance to connect and find new potential partners.
We kicked things off with a lively and engaging panel discussion about the differences and similarities in the US and Korean TV landscapes.
Some of the takeaways:
K-dramas are here to stay!: This isn't just a passing fad; it's a full-blown phenomenon that's changing the global entertainment scene.
Collaboration is key: Both Korean and US writers are eager to team up, not just to adapt Korean hits but to create original stories together. Interested in shooting in Korea? It’s definitely on the table!
Bridging the gap: We talked about the ins and outs of working across time zones and languages, and how to make co-productions and adaptations truly successful. One hot topic was figuring out the best strategies for creating English-language versions of hit K-dramas – everyone's eager to crack that code!
Global demand for Korean talent: It's clear that Korean writers are hot property, even for non-Korean stories!
K-Drama Connect LA was a total blast, and we're thrilled to share that the event has already sparked several collaborations, including co-production deals and option agreements!
K-Drama Connect LA was a success! Will you be at the next one?
We're already planning our next event to connect Korean and US creatives. Want to be in the loop? Follow us to stay updated and be the first to know when details are released.