Disney Plus is ramping up its push into the Korean market.
On May 23rd, The Walt Disney Company Korea hosted its 2025 Open House event at its Gangnam headquarters in Seoul, outlining their future plans and content strategy. The event focused on Disney Plus’s upcoming Korean titles and its ongoing efforts to strengthen its presence in Korea.
Choi Yeon Woo, Head of Local Content at Disney Korea, noted that since its 2021 launch, Disney Plus has released more than 40 Korean original series. “We’ve not only expanded our content offerings but also contributed to the growth of Korea’s entertainment industry,” said Choi. “These projects have resonated globally as well, proving the universal appeal and potential of Korean storytelling.”
Looking ahead, Disney Plus plans to widen its genre range and embrace more experimental formats in Korean content to further connect with audiences worldwide. Choi proudly shared that for two years running, nine of the top 15 most-watched local originals on Disney Plus globally were Korean titles.
Choi also previewed several key projects set to debut later this year: Tempest, Made in Korea, Fine Country Folks (literal translation), The Murky Stream and The Manipulated.
Among them, Tempest was highlighted as a major tentpole title. The thriller stars Jun Ji Hyun as Moon Ju, a celebrated diplomat and former UN ambassador, and Kang Dong Won as San Ho, a mysterious special agent. Together, they uncover hidden truths behind a large-scale global conspiracy. Choi called it a “flagship release” with scale and storytelling that’s set to define Disney Plus’s 2025 lineup.
Looking further ahead, titles like Delusion, starring Suzy and Kim Seon Ho, and the original variety show Battle of Fate 49 (literal translation) are also in the pipeline. “With Korean content making waves across films, dramas, and variety shows, global platforms like Disney Plus are helping to scale up production and diversify content,” said the company. “We’re committed to working closely with Korea’s top creators and expanding the global reach of K-content.”
However, Disney Plus avoided addressing some of the tougher issues during the event.
>> Disney Plus Indefinitely Delays Kim Soo Hyun’s ‘Knock Off’ Amid Controversy
When asked about the status of Knock-Off—originally slated for release in Q2 but now indefinitely postponed following lead actor Kim Soo Hyun’s personal controversy—Choi simply said, “We’ve decided to hold off on the release. That’s our official stance, and there’s no further update.” She also declined to comment on whether Disney Plus would seek damages from the actor.
Questions were also raised about Made in Korea, which stars Jung Woo Sung, who is facing his own personal controversy. Disney Plus responded, “We can’t comment on actors’ private lives.”
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