HALLYU PRODUC T I ON .
pleasing. Part of the reason is that they demand high-value production budgets. Two decades ago, when there were only three major broadcasters in South Korea, the average drama series cost 36.5 million Korean won per episode. In 2021, that rose to a staggering 700 million Korean won. If we’re including streamers, that average will surely be higher. When period drama Mr Sunshine first aired on tvN in 2018, a benchmark was set: production costs surpassed one billion won per episode. When Netflix broadcast it internationally a couple of months later, that increased to 2.2 billion, conveying to the world how serious this global entertainment conglomerate was about breaking into the Korean market. Mr Sunshine ’s production was soon matched, with the 2019 fantasy series Arthdal Chronicles costing three billion won an episode. Later, it was beaten again by Netflix’s Suriname , a six-part crime drama which reportedly commanded 5.8 billion won for each instalment.
It’s unsurprising, then, that the production value of K-dramas on streamers is still increasing – Netflix, especially, is famed for its tough policy on 4K capture, ambitious on-location shoots and visual effects demands. Hellbound , its newest Korean hit, cost a more-than- respectable 3.3 billion won per episode. The series includes fantastic CG elements for its monsters, which would have accounted for a large sum of the budget. In terms of popularity, Hellbound has exceeded Squid Game as the most-watched series on the streaming platform, with an estimated 142 million households in 94 countries tuning in. Of course, we’ll have to watch this space, with Squid Game director Hwang Dong-hyuk revealing that a second season of the show is on its way; there could well be a battle for top spot. It seems the popularity of K-culture will only continue to flourish, and we at Definition are excited to see how it adapts, shaped by the outside influence that’s given it worldwide recognition. If there’s one thing Korean programming does well, it’s combining elements of East and West to generate mass appeal. Even if you don’t understand the language, or struggle to see past the one-inch barrier of subtitles, the content is compelling enough to steal the hearts of film and TV fans everywhere.
CHILD’S PLAY Squid Game was a global sensation in more than just viewing figures – and a second season is coming
loss, without the outsized performance Hollywood often tends to revere. As well as captivating the hearts of fans across the globe for being well- written, emotionally enchanting and skilfully performed, Korean films and dramas are particularly aesthetically
“Two decades ago, the average drama series cost 36.5 million Korean won per episode. In 2021, that rose to a staggering 700 million Korean won”
SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME Just the latest in a line of premium Korean productions, Squid Game’s gorgeous set design came at a price – about 2.9 billion won per instalment
21. MARCH 2022
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