Two South Korean production companies, Barunson E&A and Studio N, have signed a deal to create films and TV series for audiences in Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. The agreement, called a memorandum of understanding, lets them work together on projects based on popular webtoons and web novels. Barunson E&A made the Oscar-winning film Parasite, while Studio N comes from Naver Webtoon, a big name in digital comics. This partnership looks to adapt those stories to fit local cultures in Southeast Asia.
Background
Barunson E&A has a strong track record in South Korea's film world. The company produced Parasite in 2019, a movie that won four Academy Awards, including best picture. That success put South Korean cinema on the global map and opened doors for more international work. Since then, Barunson E&A has kept making films and exploring new markets. They have deals with partners in places like Japan for other projects.
Studio N is the production side of Naver Webtoon. Naver Webtoon runs one of the largest platforms for webcomics and web novels, with millions of readers around the world. These digital stories often turn into big hits when made into films or shows. Studio N has experience changing those comics into live-action content that keeps fans happy. Their library holds hundreds of titles ready for adaptation.
Southeast Asia has a huge appetite for Korean entertainment. Dramas, movies and webtoons from Korea draw massive crowds in Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. Local viewers like stories with family ties, romance and fantasy, which match many webtoon plots. But to succeed there, content needs local flavors, like customs, language and stars from those countries. This deal comes as streaming services grow fast in the region, with platforms hungry for fresh local shows.
South Korea's entertainment industry has pushed into Asia for years. Companies team up with local firms to cut risks and boost appeal. Webtoons work well for this because they have simple visuals and strong plots that travel easily. Past hits like Squid Game and All of Us Are Dead started from similar digital roots and found fans across borders.
Key Details
The memorandum of understanding sets up co-development of films and series. Both companies will share ideas, money and talent to build projects from start to finish. They plan to pick stories from Studio N's webtoon and web novel collection that suit Southeast Asian tastes.
Focus Markets
Indonesia tops the list with over 270 million people and a booming media scene. Thai audiences love romance and action, while Vietnam sees fast growth in streaming. The partners aim to shoot in these countries, hire local actors and add cultural touches. This could mean dubbing in local languages or remaking plots with regional twists.
Barunson E&A brings production know-how from big films. They handled Parasite's tight budget and high tension, skills useful for series too. Studio N knows how to stay true to source material while updating it. Together, they can handle everything from scripting to post-production.
"This partnership lets us take our stories to new places with partners who understand the local scene," said a Barunson E&A representative.
The deal covers both movies and TV shows. Films might hit theaters or festivals, while series go to streaming sites like Netflix or local platforms. No specific titles have been named yet, but expect announcements soon on first projects.
What This Means
This tie-up could spark more Korean content made just for Southeast Asia. It fills a gap where global hits often skip local details, leading to mixed results. By working together, these companies lower costs through shared resources and tap into ready fanbases for webtoons.
For Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, it means more jobs in film and TV. Local crews, writers and actors will get chances on international-level projects. This builds skills and grows the industry. Streaming giants stand to gain too, with exclusive content that keeps subscribers watching.
South Korea strengthens its hold on Asian entertainment. Exports already bring in billions, and this adds to that. Webtoons give endless material, so expect a pipeline of adaptations. Success here might lead to deals in other regions like the Philippines or Malaysia.
Fans get content that feels close to home. A webtoon romance set in Jakarta or a thriller in Bangkok could draw crowds. It also mixes Korean style with local stories, creating fresh takes.
Challenges lie ahead. Cultural fits take work, and markets differ. Regulations on foreign content vary by country. But with both sides experienced, they have a good shot.
The entertainment world watches closely. If these projects hit big, more partnerships will follow. It shows how digital stories cross borders and turn into shared successes. Southeast Asia's young viewers, glued to phones and screens, wait for what's next.
