South Korean television dramas are undergoing a dynamic transformation, embracing bold storytelling, shorter formats, and diverse genres, as traditional broadcasters and OTT platforms converge to reshape the landscape of entertainment.
Fresh storytelling is reshaping Korean television dramas, offering bold new genres like dark humor in SBS’s “The Fiery Priest 2,” space-themed office romance in tvN’s “When the Stars Gossip,” and a gripping psychological thriller in MBC’s “Doubt.” These dramas, marked by faster-paced narratives and shorter episode counts, reflect a growing convergence with content trends from over-the-top (OTT) platforms. Many of these series are also debuting on OTT platforms, climbing to the top of viewership charts.
When original OTT dramas first gained traction, their flexible formats, such as six, eight, or ten episodes, set them apart from traditional TV dramas, which adhered to the rigid 16-episode structure of mini-series.
This flexibility has since influenced television, leading to a surge in shorter dramas on traditional networks. Recent examples include “The Fiery Priest 2″ (12 episodes), “Doubt” (10 episodes), “When the Phone Rings” (MBC, 12 episodes), “Jung Nyeon” (tvN, 12 episodes), “Love Your Enemy” (tvN, 12 episodes), and “Serendipity’s Embrace” (tvN, 8 episodes). The trend will continue this year, according to Studio Dragon, a leading drama production company. A Studio Dragon official said, “More dramas with 12 or fewer episodes are planned for 2025, allowing stories to unfold more naturally and with greater impact.”
This shift in format has brought fresh themes and narratives, enabling some TV dramas to compete with or even outshine OTT originals. tvN’s “When the Stars Gossip,” S. Korea’s first space-themed drama, premiered on Jan. 4 and is also streaming on Netflix. By Jan. 8, it had overtaken the highly anticipated “Squid Game 2″ to claim the No. 1 spot in domestic rankings.
Other hits include JTBC’s historical fusion drama “The Tale of Lady Ok” and MBC’s “When the Phone Rings” based on a daring web novel. Both continue to hold top spots on Netflix’s charts. Meanwhile, SBS’s upcoming “The Fiery Priest 2″ and “Taxi Driver 3″ highlight the growing popularity of multi-season dramas, a signature feature of OTT programming.
As TV dramas gain momentum, OTT platforms have shifted focus from exclusive content to collaborations with traditional broadcasters. Last month, Netflix signed an agreement with SBS to co-release several new dramas, with the first examples set to air later this year.
Tving, a domestic streaming service, has already reaped the benefits of such partnerships; its subscriber base grew significantly after offering popular tvN dramas like “Lovely Runner.” Disney+ also recently broke ground by airing its hit series “Moving” (2023) on MBC, marking the first broadcast of a global OTT original on a traditional network. The move is expected to boost subscriptions ahead of “Moving 2″ and other forthcoming releases. Notably, TV broadcasts often adapt such content to comply with local broadcasting standards.
Collaboration between OTT platforms and traditional broadcasters holds promise for the South Korean drama industry. Global streaming platforms, which often provide subtitles and dubbing in multiple languages, are better positioned to promote and market these dramas internationally. At the same time, South Korean broadcasters, with their expertise and production know-how, are expected to develop well-rounded content in partnership with OTT services.
