Why experts say Korea needs ‘Next K’ strategy beyond global K-culture boom

From films and dramas to K-pop, literature, stage performances and animation, K-culture has secured a central place on the global stage. The question now is how long it can maintain its momentum. Alongside the Korean wave, or hallyu, narrative, concerns about saturation and decline persist. Experts argue that new strategies are needed to chart the course of the “Next K.” Analysts agree that Korean content has moved past relying solely on novelty. To become a global standard like Hollywood, K-culture must embrace localization. Song Jin, head of the Industrial Policy Research Center at the Korea Creative Content Agency, pointed to Netflix series “When Life Gives You Tangerines,” which adapted its title differently for each market. “From subtitles and dubbing to nuanced cultural adjustments, reducing barriers for global viewers requires meticulous effort,” he said. The series’ English title transformed the U.S. proverb “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade” by swapping lemons for tangerines. Song also emphasized co-production with local creators and casting diverse artWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times