How Korean Films Are Performing In Global Markets Since The Pandemic

This week, I’m sharing an article I wrote for KoBiz about how Korean films are being received internationally since the pandemic. Since I wrote this, a few mid-budget Korean films have been performing relatively well at the local box office, including Pilot, Handsome Guys and Escape, which is encouraging. But Korea continues to be a test case of what can happen to theatrical revenues when there is an over concentration of talent and investment in the streaming space.

KoBiz is a film industry online magazine run by the Korean Film Council. If you’re not familiar with it, I recommend you check it out because they have fantastic coverage of the Korean film industry, companies and talent, along with solid box office information. I only wish other territories in Asia had something similar..

There must be many film industries around the world who regard Korean cinema with envy. Following the success of Bong Joon Ho’s Oscar-winning film Parasite, and with the global popularity of K-pop and K-dramas, Korean films have a ‘brand awareness’, backed up by a reputation for quality and strong storytelling, that very few other countries can match.