Disney put the global success of Korean content front and center at its fan event 'D23.'

The Walt Disney Company recently held 'D23' in Anaheim, California. During a session presenting Disney+'s global content strategy, Korea was cited as a key example.

■ "The Most-Watched Korean Original Worldwide"

On the first day of the event, with attendees from Asia-Pacific as well as international media, Korean original series, variety shows, and dramas — including 'The 21st Century Grand Royal Consort,' 'A Shop for Killers,' 'Polaris,' and 'Fate War 49' — were introduced one after another as success stories.

According to Disney, 'The 21st Century Grand Royal Consort' was tallied as the most-watched Korean original series on Disney+ worldwide.

Eric Schrier, president of DTC International Originals, Strategic Programming, and Emerging Media at Walt Disney, assessed that the shaman survival variety show 'Fate War 49' delivered unexpected results by staying true to a distinctly Korean style. President Schrier explained that the Korean-style direction, which devotes considerable time to introducing the contestants, was a good fit for local viewers, and also noted that the fact that Korean viewers favor detailed production choices such as contestant introductions was one of the factors behind its success.

■ 'Remarried Empress,' Starring Shin Min-a and Lee Jong-suk, Introduced as a Highly Anticipated Title

New projects tied to Korea continue as well. On Disney+, 'Remarried Empress,' starring Shin Min-a and Lee Jong-suk, was introduced as a highly anticipated title. The series is being adapted for the screen from the popular Naver webtoon of the same name. Cheers erupted when 'Remarried Empress' was mentioned during the session, and its trailer was also placed last in the lineup of trailer reveals.

■ A String of Co-Production and Remake Projects

Co-production and remake projects are also underway. 'Merry Berry Love,' co-produced by CJ ENM and Japan's Nippon TV, is set to premiere on Disney+. Work is also being pushed forward to adapt the Japanese bestseller 'The Miracles of the Namiya General Store' into a Korean series. 'Koreans' (starring Lee Byung-hun and Han Ji-min), a reimagining of the popular American series 'The Americans' set in 1990s Korea, is also in preparation.

■ Brisk Format Exports… Overseas Production to Triple

Exports of Korean content formats are also active. A British version of 'Fate War 49' is in production, with productions in Mexico and Spain also under consideration.

Disney said it is currently producing 60 to 70 titles per year outside the United States and plans to triple the scale of its overseas original content production over the next three years.