Kpoppost and beSUCCESS recently hosted an insightful session on the growing intersection between Korea and Indonesia in the film and entertainment industry. The event brought together industry leaders to discuss the increasing influence of Korean content in Indonesia and explore strategies to strengthen cross-border collaborations.
Korean Content in Indonesia: Trends, Challenges, and Future Opportunities
In our last K-Wave Business Talk, we had the honor to host three key industry experts: Adhizeza Nandra from CBI Pictures, Gyusuk Cho from Toonimotion, and Han-Jong Lee, a serial entrepreneur, digital media strategist, and cross-border business expert. We talked about how digital content is changing, the importance of global collaboration in expanding intellectual properties (IPs), and how technology is shaping K-content distribution. Here’s a recap of our discussion.
The Evolution of Korean Content in Indonesia
Adhizeza Nandra from CBI Pictures Indonesia opened the discussion with an in-depth analysis of how Korean films and dramas have gained massive popularity in Indonesia over the years. From the early 2000s introduction of K-pop and dramas like Winter Sonata to the explosive popularity of “Parasite” and “Exhuma,” the Hallyu wave has deeply embedded itself in Indonesian pop culture.
“Korean content is not just entertainment here—it’s a cultural movement. From music to movies, K-content is everywhere, from billboards to product endorsements.”
Adhizeza Nandra, CBI Pictures Indonesia.
The numbers back this up: since 2012, over 221 Korean films have been released in Indonesia, with a total of 8 million ticket sales. While Hollywood and local films still dominate, Korean movies have solidified their position as a strong alternative for Indonesian audiences. Notably, action and music-based films become popular, reflecting local preferences.
Challenges in Distribution and Market Trends
Despite its success, distributing Korean films in Indonesia presents unique challenges. Nandra highlighted two key issues:
- Piracy: Unauthorized online leaks significantly impact box office performance. A recent Korean film, “Hear Me Our Summer,” was leaked online even before its official release, causing a sharp drop in ticket sales.
- Shifting Audience Priorities: While Korean concerts and movies were previously in high demand, the surge in K-pop concerts in Indonesia has led fans to prioritize live events over cinema experiences.
However, the demand for Korean content remains strong. More Korean producers are considering Indonesia a key market due to its surprising anomalies—some films that underperform in Korea find unexpected success in Indonesia, making it a viable expansion opportunity.
Transforming Webtoons into Global Animation: Toonimotion’s Innovation
Gyusuk Cho, CEO of Toonimotion, showcased his company’s groundbreaking approach to upcycling webcomics into animated short-form content. Toonimotion has pioneered cost-effective and efficient animation production by repurposing webtoon images, significantly reducing traditional animation costs and production times.
“By utilizing AI and digital cutout technology, we’ve reduced animation production steps by 80%, allowing us to create animated content eight times faster than conventional method.”
Gyusuk Cho, Founder and CEO of Toonimotion
Toonimotion’s work has already expanded beyond Korea, reaching audiences in China, Singapore, and soon, Indonesia. The company’s collaboration with OTT platforms positions it as a key player in the growing trend of short-form digital content.
The Future of IP Expansion: A Global Perspective
Han-Jong Lee, a digital IP strategist and cross-border business expert, shed light on the evolving business models for K-content. As a key figure in Luna X, Lee emphasized the importance of leveraging YouTube channels and digital platforms to develop scalable intellectual properties (IP) that can expand into global markets.
“The era of relying solely on traditional cinema and TV is over. Now, success comes from multi-platform scalability, starting from YouTube engagement and expanding into merchandise, live events, and AI-driven content creation.”
Han-Jong Lee
He cited examples like PLAVE, a virtual K-pop group, and QWER, a game-streaming idol group, as case studies of bottom-up IP growth strategies that blend entertainment and technology.
Key Takeaways & Future Opportunities
The event wrapped up with a call to strengthen collaboration between Korea and Indonesia in the entertainment sector. Notable takeaways include:
- Indonesia remains a highly receptive market for Korean content. Despite challenges, demand is growing, and Korean films and webtoon-based content have significant potential for expansion.
- Alternative content distribution methods, including digital streaming and short-form animations, will drive future growth.
- Piracy and changing consumer priorities must be addressed with innovative marketing and localization strategies.
- Investments in cross-border IP expansion can create new revenue streams for Korean and Indonesian creators alike.
With the continued rise of Korean content in Indonesia, events like K-Wave Business Talk provide a crucial platform for fostering dialogue, innovation, and business growth. The insights shared during this session reaffirm that the future of Korean-Indonesian entertainment collaborations is brighter than ever.
Stay tuned for more discussions from Kpoppost and beSUCCESS as we continue to bridge industries, cultures, and audiences worldwide.
Watch the recorded session of K-Wave Business Talk here:
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