The Taiwan Creative Content Fest forum “Stories in Motion: From IP to Investment to Global” took a deep dive into how Asian stories move through the modern value chain, from original IP to financing to global distribution.
Mr. Romance CEO Sean Se-yoon Shim and one of the most influential women in the international entertainment industry, Yong-sun Seo, senior vice president and MD of A+E Global Media in Korea, participated in a discussion moderated by DaMou Entertainment CEO Jade Lin.
The conversation began with South Korea’s webtoon ecosystem, a rich source of globally adaptable intellectual property. “Webtoons are pre-tested by viewers. Webtoons provide creators with a solid foundation to gauge demand,” Sim said. “But international viability is just as important. The key for South Korea and Taiwan is to pursue themes that feel original and sincere – stories that reach emotions across borders.”
Soh observed that despite the growing global focus on Asian content, the path from IP to screen is becoming more complex. “Streaming competition and rising production costs are creating new pressures, which makes it more important than ever to work with partners who share the same creative and strategic vision,” she noted.
Packaging remains a deciding factor in your investment. Mr Sim revealed that he relies on informal audience feedback before working with investors, but highlighted the second stage of the journey: “Once the show is on the platform, the big question is how do you break through the noise?”
Soh agrees, saying, “Everyone wants to stand out on global streamers. But Asian stories are resonating all over the world, from South Korea and increasingly across the region. Strong storytelling combined with strong marketing will help us find an audience.”
Sim pointed to Disney+ hit “The Moving,” which took seven years to shape its debut season, as an example of long-term IP development paying off.
Looking at the global market, he sees two important paths forward in a market where domestic demand is shrinking. One is international co-production to share risk and expand reach, and the other is to move development from B2B to B2C, including blockchain mechanisms that allow viewers to participate as micro-investors and influence casting. “This creates new communication channels between producers and viewers,” he said.
Mr Sim, CEO of Mr Romance, which signed a memorandum of understanding with TAICCA in March, acknowledged that working within a government-backed framework comes with both security and constraints. Still, both speakers were optimistic that the next wave of pan-Asian partnerships, one that firmly includes Taiwan, will further propel regional IP onto the global stage.
