Ted Sarandos Calls Korean Content ‘Surprising and Unpredictable’ as Netflix Prepares to Double Investment in Shows, Industry Development
variety.comRebecca Souw There’s more to Korean TV than a greenlit second season of “Squid Game” and Ted Sarandos, Netflix co-CEO, shed new light on what’s making the “Korean wave” worthy of large-scale commitment.
After meeting with leading helmer Park Chan-wook (“Oldboy” and upcoming series “War and Revolt”) and 100 film students a day earlier, Sarandos on Wednesday held a public forum at Seoul’s Four Seasons Hotel on the future of Korean content.
The abundant glad-handing follows a public commitment made in April to spend $2.5 billion on original Korean content over the next four years. “[Korean content] is very often unpredictable and catches the American audience by surprise,” said Sarandos at the event. “I think what’s brilliant is to see film, unscripted and series all grow according to the interests of our Korean audience.” Over a few years, the company has expanded its role in the Korean industry from licensor and co-producer to commissioner and producer of a large slate of originals, including recent hits “The Glory” and “All of Us Are Dead.” While the lineup has chiefly focused on drama series and films, Netflix is increasingly making Korean unscripted shows.
It has recently enjoyed major success with reality-survival show “Physical 100” and is heading towards a third season of “Singles Inferno.” “We have a lot of licensed films, but going forward we want to invest in more original films,” Don Kang, VP of content for Korea, echoed. “You’ll see the investment in the ecosystem, in front and behind the camera, including training, to grow the industry,” said Sarandos.
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