The Walt Disney Company's head of content production for the Asia-Pacific region revealed the achievements of Korean content on Disney+.
Disney+ held a Creators Talk for the new original series "North Star" (written by Jeong Seok-kyung, directed by Kim Hee-won and Heo Myeong-haeng) on the evening of the 20th at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall in Yongsan, Seoul. In attendance were the writer Jeong Seok-kyung, directors Kim Hee-won and Heo Myeong-haeng, as well as art director Kim Byeong-han and visual effects supervisor Hong Jeong-ho, who discussed "North Star" under the guidance of actress Baek Eun-ha.
Before the official introduction of the work, Carol Choi, head of original content production for the Asia-Pacific region at The Walt Disney Company, attended and graced the occasion. Carol Choi said, "Korea is always a joy to visit. It's our key content market and the birthplace of the most appreciated content. We will continue to showcase great works on Disney+, so please keep an eye out for us." She added, "I would like to highlight Disney+'s tentpole series, 'North Star.' A few weeks ago, I visited L.A. and saw the main trailer for 'North Star' with our global marketing team, and many colleagues from various countries could hardly contain their excitement. That shows how immense the allure of this work is."
Moreover, she emphasized, "Today, it is an honor to gather the creators who birthed 'North Star' in one place. I also thank the Korean journalists who joined us. At Disney, we have a strong commitment to investing in original works globally and in Korea's creative industry. As our CEO Bob Iger said, great stories can emerge from anywhere, and it is our role to deliver them to the audience. This is our principle and philosophy. Our role, the role of our team, is to support the artistic vision of creators and the bright visions of storytellers and to create an environment for that. We will continue to collaborate for an overall better creative environment."
She noted, "Sometimes, a sparkling story can be hidden like a diamond in the mud. We must develop it with the right sensibility to complete it as a unique and high-level story. Thanks to this collaborative creation method of The Walt Disney Company, we have continued to receive audience love with unparalleled storytelling over the past 100 years."
She expressed surprise, stating, "Since we began supplying original content from the Asia-Pacific region on Disney+ at the end of 2021, Korean stories have received great love. Among the top 15 works we presented last year, a remarkable 10 were Korean contents. This highlighted the allure of Korean original works and their world-class quality. This year, 'Hyper Knife,' 'Nine Puzzle,' and 'Low Life' are receiving a hot response and continuing their success."
Carol Choi also mentioned, "The recently released original works have ranked high on charts not only in Korea but throughout the Asia-Pacific region right after their release. We will continue with not only our anticipated work, 'North Star,' but also the remaining projects." She added, "There have been many changes and tectonic shifts in the streaming industry over the past few years. Our content strategy remains strong. By carefully selecting the best original content from each region and consistently showcasing works with excellent quality, we will strengthen the competitiveness that Disney+ has honed."
Furthermore, she stated, "Local original content can shine even brighter when combined with the variety of global franchise series we offer on Disney+. We are showcasing a diverse range of films and series including Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars, and National Geographic, and I believe that when local characteristics are added to cross-border series, we can present a stronger immersion and high-level content." She added, "Moving forward, Disney+ will work more closely with Korea's best storytellers and strive to uncover new worldviews and stories."
Above all, regarding why 'North Star' is such an attractive work and why she is filled with anticipation, she introduced, "Firstly, 'North Star' is a piece that creates an unparalleled story through an intense storyline that keeps you on edge and a world-class cast and production team. It is also an exhilarating spy romance. It smoothly weaves together espionage, romance, and action. You will enjoy political intrigue, romantic excitement, and thrilling action all in one place. And like our other global hits, while the story itself is specific, it ultimately touches upon universal themes of power and ambition, truth and trust."
'North Star' will premiere on Disney+ on Sept. 10.
[Photo] OSEN reporter Ji Hyung-jun.
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