Korean intellectual property steals the spotlight at the Creative Content Festival Forum in Taiwan
The Taiwan Creative Content Festival Forum, Moving Stories: From IP to Investment to Global, delves into how Asian stories move up the modern value chain – from original IP to financing to global distribution.
Mr. Chun Saeun Shim, CEO of Romance, Youngsun Suh, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of A+E Global Media in Korea, and one of the most influential women in international entertainment, joined the discussion moderated by DaMou Entertainment CEO Jade Lin.
The conversation opened with Korea’s webtoon ecosystem, a prolific source of globally adaptable intellectual property. “Webtoons are pre-tested by the public. They give producers a solid basis to gauge demand,” Shim said. “But staying power internationally is just as important. For Korea or Taiwan, the key is to pursue themes that feel original and honest – stories with an emotional reach that transcends borders.”
Despite growing global interest in Asian content, the path from IP to screen is becoming more complex, Soh noted. “Introducing competition and rising production costs are creating new pressures,” she noted. “That’s why aligning with partners who share the same creative and strategic vision has become more important than ever.”
Packaging remains a critical factor in investment. Shim said he relies on informal audience feedback before aligning with financiers, but emphasized the second stage of the journey: “Once a show is on a platform, the big question is how it overcomes the hype.”
Soh also agreed: “Everyone wants to stand out on global broadcast channels. But Asian stories – from Korea and increasingly across the region – resonate around the world. Strong storytelling combined with strong marketing will find its audience.”
Shim cited “Moving,” the hit Disney+ film that took seven years to build its first season, as an example of the success of long-term IP development.
Looking at the global market, he sees two critical paths for markets experiencing shrinking domestic demand: international co-production to share risks and expand access, and shifting development from business-to-business to business-to-consumer, including blockchain mechanisms that allow the public to participate as micro-investors or even influence the selection of representatives. He noted that it “creates a new channel of communication between producers and viewers.”
Romance CEO Shim, who signed a memorandum of understanding with TAICCA in March, acknowledged that working within government-backed frameworks comes with both security and conditions. However, both speakers were optimistic that the next wave of Asian partnerships – Taiwan in the mix – will propel regional IP onto the global stage.