HEART OBSESSION
Netflix announced this week six new Korean romance titles scheduled for the rest of 2023. They are: “See You in my 19th Life”, “King the Land”, “Behind Your Touch”, “Destined With You”, ” A Time Called You,” and “Doona!”
The titles were revealed at a personal event called “K-Romance Obsession” in Seoul. Guests were mostly K-drama influencers from the Asia Pacific region and the event was decked out in red, pink and a host of heart decorations. Guests were offered snacks seen on past hit K-drama shows, including “Crash Landing on You,” “Extraordinary Attorney Woo,” “Business Proposal,” and “Alchemy of Souls.”
According to Netflix, the global viewership of the K-Romance titles has tripled between 2018 and 2022, with more than 90% of viewers coming from outside South Korea in 2022 alone. Don Kang, VP of content (Korea) said, “Our stories touch on the universal aspects of life – love, heartbreak and tenderness, while also providing a glimpse into the unique facets of Korean culture.”
Dubbing has played a vital role in the genre’s global expansion. Yang Wooyeondirector of content (Korea) said, “Listening to dialogues in their own language helps K-Romance resonate more deeply with viewers around the world.”
“See You in my 19th Life” and “King the Land” premiere June 17.
GAMES GIANT
into the video game market China generated $45.5 billion in revenue by 2022, including mobile, console and PC games, according to research firm Nico Partners. China remains the largest market globally with 32% of global mobile gaming revenues and 33% of global PC gaming revenues generated domestically. The market will exceed $57 billion by 2027 with an estimated 730 million gamers.
“Chinese game companies are also growing internationally, and they are making bold investments at higher rates than ever,” he said Lisa Hanson, CEO and founder of Niko Partners. “PC game revenue generated abroad by Chinese companies increased 22% in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13.8% through 2027. You have to get to know Chinese developers and publishers both domestically and abroad if you are serious about the global game industry.”
KIWI FEATURES
Nine films will have world premieres at the New Zealand International Film Festival, one of the biggest premieres the NZIFF has seen in years. Feature films with world premieres include Tom Sainsbury’s “Loop track“”Home kills”, directed by Haydn Butler, the film by Michael Duignan “The paragon” and New Zealand opera film “The strangest angels”, directed by Rebecca Tansley.
Five documentaries will have their world premieres: “Ms. Information”, directed by Gwen Isaacs; John Chrisstoffels’ ‘Building Bridges: Bill Youren’s Vision of Peace’, Robin Greenburg’s documentary ‘Grant Sheehan: Light, Ghosts and Dreams’; Annie Goldson’s movie “Red Mole: A Romance”; and music documentary “King Loser”, directed by Cushla Dillon and Andrew Moore.
Alice Englerts “Bad Behaviour,‘, which premiered at Sundance in January, a special 4K restoration of Gaylene Preston’s 1993 WWII drama ‘Bread and Roses’ and the filmed musical performance ‘Tiki Taane in Session with CSO’ round out the Aotearoa New Zealand films the NZIFF program. The touring festival kicks off in Auckland on July 19.