Chinese-Speaking Markets
Rakuten Viki Launches TVOD Service For Asian Films
The service is launching with the US debut of two Korean films: Josée, on an exclusive basis, and New Year Blues.
Festivals
FESTIVALS: 'Ito' Wins Grand Prix At Osaka Asian Film Festival
Japanese comedy drama Ito, directed by Satoko Yokohama, won the Grand Prix best picture award at this year’s Osaka Asian Film Festival (March 5-14).
Europe
FESTIVALS: 'Wheel Of Fortune And Fantasy' Wins Silver Bear In Berlin
Ryusuke Hamaguchi's Wheel Of Fortune And Fantasy was awarded the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at this year’s Berlin Film Festival, which was held online.
Korea & Japan
Apple TV+ Orders Korean Series 'Dr Brain' From Kim Jee-woon
Kim will write and direct sci-fi thriller Dr. Brain, adapted from a popular webtoon and starring Lee Sun-Kyun.
Korea & Japan
Netflix Announces Plans To Invest $500m In Korean Content In 2021
New original films include BDSM romance Moral Sense, directed by Park Hyun-jin, and action film Carter, directed by Jung Byung-gil (The Villainess).
Korea & Japan
Starzplay Pacts With TV Tokyo For Anime Content
Strategic partnership brings more than a thousand hours of anime, including the iconic Naruto franchise, to viewers in the Middle East.
Chinese-Speaking Markets
FESTIVALS: Osaka Asian Unveils Competition Including 'Elisa's Day' Premiere
Man Lim-chung’s Keep Rolling, about Hong Kong filmmaker Ann Hui, will open the festival, while Yuya Ishii’s The Asian Angel will play as the closing film.
Chinese-Speaking Markets
Viu To Launch Korean Original Drama 'River Where The Moon Rises'
Produced by Korean production house Victory Contents, the show stars Kim So Hyun (The Tale of Nokdu) and Ji Soo (Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo).
Korea & Japan
Korean Portal Naver To Acquire Wattpad In $600m Deal
Wattpad will be aligned with Naver’s digitial comics platform, Webtoon, which claims 72 million monthly active users.
Chinese-Speaking Markets
Asia Pacific SVOD Revenue Increased 34% To $16bn In 2020 - MPA Report
While AVOD revenue was down 3%, the region's online video sector as a whole grew by 14% to reach a combined $30.5bn, according to MPA report.
Korea & Japan
Sony Acquires Crunchyroll From AT&T For $1.2bn
Anime-focused streamer was part of AT&T's WarnerMedia and will now be combined with Sony's rival streaming service Funimation.
Chinese-Speaking Markets
iQiyi International Sets 'My Roommate Is A Gumiho' As First Korean Original
Jang Ki Yong and Hyeri star in romantic horror based on popular Korean webtoon Living Together and co-produced with Studio Dragon and JTBC Studio.