Crash landing for K-dramas? Waning output threatens genre’s future

K-dramas have been hugely popular globally, but the number produced has fallen about 30 per cent from 141 titles in 2022, according to the Korea Drama Production Association.

Three domestic broadcast networks cut drama output from 91 titles in 2012 to 32 in 2023, and some channels had stopped airing weekday dramas altogether, the groups, which represent industry workers including television drama producers, directors, writers, actors, cinematographers and crew, said.