Projection For 2021: Korean Dramas Are The Prima Donna, Competition For Streaming Services Is Getting Tighter

Illustration (Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Previously, we discussed the Korean Drama Opium Phenomenon in 2020. The increasing number of viewers is inseparable from the currently mushrooming streaming services.

There are many benefits to using streaming services; economical costs, real time content, and high quality video. These three points are the reason why Korean drama viewers are willing to subscribe every month to get profit and not be left behind.

Seeing the increased viewing habits, a number of streaming service companies are devising strategies so that their users do not abandon their business. Netflix, for example.

As the largest streaming service in the world, Netflix is the winner among this business competition. They provide a collection of various Korean dramas from year to year and various television channels. Netflix is also preparing several new content to broadcast starting in 2021. Some of it is a move away from failing to open in theaters, but some of it is Netflix original content in South Korea.

Netflix and VIU, Pioneers of Korean Drama Streaming

According to the Korea Times, Netflix has invested 800 billion won over the past five years to produce 70 original series in South Korea. And it will continue for the following years.

In fact, Netflix is in the process of adapting the Money Heist / La Casa de Papel series into the South Korean version. Likewise, several adaptations of the webtoon that viewers will encounter after Sweet Home's success in the international arena. Hellbound and DP are two Netflix-confirmed webtoon titles.

Even though there is Netflix, the people of Southeast Asia are already familiar with VIU, a streaming service from Hong Kong which was founded in 2015. VIU presents various content from Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, and South Korea. VIU's content, which is always released a few hours after broadcast on television, has made this streaming service popular.

For those who like shows from South Korea, the content on VIU is a complete package. Its economical cost and good image quality make this application widely downloaded. VIU didn't want to lose to other competitors, so they started buying more broadcast rights. It can be seen from the schedule of new content that will be released on VIU starting in January.

Who can't wait for the new year? Many new shows that will accompany you starting January 2021 in Viu, you know😘 # Viu #Kdrama #Drakor #DramaKorea #Drachin #DramaThailand #FilmIndonesia #FilmKorea #Anime pic.twitter.com/bTt4z8bhqK

- Viu Indonesia (@Viu_ID) December 29, 2020

Hero from China, iQIYI

On the other hand, there is iQiYi, a streaming service from China which has 104.9 million active subscribers based on Variety claims.

They started producing their first Korean drama entitled My Roommate is a Gumiho, played by Jang Ki Yong and Hyeri. This drama is iQIYI's strategy to explore and add to their content which is currently only available in Southeast Asia.

iQIYI also got exclusive rights to Jirisan, one of the most awaited Korean dramas by its fans. Reportedly, Jirisan's Korean drama budget reaches 32 billion. Jirisan stars two well-known actors and actresses in South Korea, Jun Ji Hyun and Ju Ji Hoon. The Korean drama Jirisan has started the shooting process since the end of October in Namwon Jeolla province.

보기 만 해도 벅차 오르는 투숏 ⛰tvN 지리산 # 2021 커밍 순 # 전지현 # 주지훈 # 김은희 작가 # 이응복 감독 # 지리산 pic.twitter.com/ZDQCJ9yv79

- tvN 드라마 (@CJnDrama) December 10, 2020

However, production had to stop after COVID-19 cases increased in South Korea and one of the Jirisan staff confirmed positive for this deadly virus. The production team had to stop filming until December 31, 2020.

iQIYI is considered to have advantages over other streaming platforms. Korean dramas that air on iQIYI have the same broadcast time as television broadcasts. They also provide multi-language translations and the first few episodes can be watched for free.

Disney + Expansion into the Land of Ginseng

In 2021, the competition for Korean dramas will get hotter. Launching KoreaTimes, the Walt Disney Co. will expand to the Country of Ginseng. Through the Disney Investor Day event which was held last December 10, Disney announced that South Korea is one of the main markets that are being targeted by Disney +.

Disney + achieved a fantastic subscriber increase of 87 million subscribers. This is thanks to Disney + flagship content such as the Star Wars spinoff series, Hamilton musical films, and others. In the same event, Disney also announced a number of plans and new programs that will be implemented starting in 2021.

In all likelihood, Disney + will buy the broadcast rights to Korean dramas - one of the most accessible entertainment programs - in order to attract new subscribers. Meanwhile, Disney + competes with a number of local streaming services that are already present in South Korea, namely Netflix, iQIYI, WeTV, and Wavve.

Wavve is the largest OTT service from South Korea with a total of 14 million subscribers. The word Wavve was inspired by the hallyu wave phenomenon which combines the Korean wave and South Korean culture into entertainment.

Looking at the official website, Wavve provides various types of content ranging from Korean dramas, films, television shows, to foreign series that can be found here.

In terms of advantages, Wavve is a one stop entertainment for the people of South Korea. Moreover, they are working with three national television channels and the SK Telecom Co operator network which has 10 million active subscribers as of September.

Piracy Also Competes

Streaming services are the people's main entertainment choice during the COVID-19 pandemic. But at the same time, piracy has also increased.

Although there is no overall data that shows total piracy, according to TorrentFreak, Mulan's film data can be found illegally (outside of streaming services) and even Mulan's total movie downloads are much higher within a week. Telegram messaging services are also a bridge to the spread of Korean dramas illegally.

According to Ismail Fahmi as Cyber Observer, accessing this illegal content can harm both parties: industry players and society. Currently, there are still many people who are aware of the importance of supporting local content by paying the price accordingly, but on the other hand there are still many who choose to watch illegally.

"Even if they subscribe, they can get more. The price is also cheap. And it is also profitable for all parties, "Fahmi told VOI by telephone.

Now, operator networks in Indonesia are starting to compete to attract customers by cooperating with streaming services, for example Telkomsel with Disney + Hotstar, Indosat with VIU and Amazon Prime, and others.

It's a wrap, everyone! Thank you from us and @Telkomsel for your coming to join us and make Grandfest an unforgettable night. See you later! #DisneyPlusHotstarID pic.twitter.com/3uFDK5FYMJ

- Disney + Hotstar ID (@DisneyPlusID) August 10, 2020

If the public continues to watch illegally, this could affect the entertainment industry which is difficult to produce more works. "If the ecosystem is good. No piracy. Whoever makes works, puts them on streaming, surely he will get paid, right? At least close. You can watch his works and create new works, ”said Ismail further.

Illegal sites that are usually given away for free are not always profitable. Ads that are often inserted in illegal streaming sites contain viruses that can retrieve personal data or user device data.

Local Streaming Services Can Be As Successful As External Platforms

Not only in South Korea, Indonesia also has many local streaming services that offer similar content like other businesses such as GoPlay, Klik Films, Online Cinemas and Maxstream.

They come with a number of special strategies and special content, namely GoPlay, which produces content adapted from the South Korean series Tunnel and America, namely Gossip Girl. The results of this adaptation received a positive response from customers. Likewise, Klik Film provides old films and releases from the United States and South Korea.

According to the founder of Drone Emprit, a specific niche market or target market is needed for local streaming services to compete with outsiders. There will always be opportunities for success if business people are observant to see what is trending and in demand by society.

"This is the entertainment industry, not nationalism. If we want to prioritize 'Come on, this is the work of the nation's children', it will not be created. People don't buy because they are nationalists. People buy the service because they really like it so it must be seen that, "explained Ismail.

Competition for streaming services is predicted to increase in 2021. The opportunity for local platforms to succeed can also be achieved as long as they can find interests or content that the Indonesian people like. But all return to content creators and society, because they determine the movement of the development of a platform.