Busan Content Market, a Gateway for Asian Digital Media, Set to Open on May 31st

The 17th Busan Content Market (BCM), an annual event that has been bridging Asian nations via new media and fostering fresh channels of communication, is slated to kick off in Busan on May 31st.

Since its inception in 2007, the BCM has undergone significant growth, transforming into a comprehensive content bazaar where each year, transactions exceeding $100 million are conducted. The event has successfully drawn participation from over a thousand companies across 50 countries, underlining its global footprint. The BCM serves not just as a platform for traditional broadcasting, but also as a nexus for diverse content genres, including webtoons, animation, games, and creative arts. Backed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Busan Metropolitan City, the mayor of Busan chairs the organizing committee, further cementing its status.

Scheduled to run from May 31st to June 2nd, the BCM will be held at the first exhibition hall of BEXCO, attracting a global assembly of content buyers and sellers. Amid the rapidly evolving new media landscape, propelled by the surge of OTT platforms and diversification, the BCM has carved out a prominent role for itself.

The BCM is instrumental in showcasing South Korea's K-Content to the global audience and is a leading platform introducing the latest worldwide film industry trends to Asia. Annually, the BCM congregates over 2,000 buyers and sellers from around 50 countries, facilitating content trade worth more than $100 million. In 2023, the event is set to bounce back to its pre-pandemic scales, marking a significant recovery.

The BCM is renowned for its annual revelation of new OTT content. Last year, the ENA drama "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" created a wave of excitement and was initially unveiled at the BCM. This precedent sets the stage for another display of globally influential K-Content this year.

This year's BCM will be graced by the team behind the currently trending ENA drama, "Pale Moon". The series has been lauded for its engaging storyline, reflecting in its impressive viewership ratings. Its participation is expected to lend an additional layer of anticipation to the event.

In a bid to support local content producers, particularly in Busan, the BCM will also set up a dedicated support center for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This initiative aims to assist in the promotion and exhibition of high-quality content produced by domestic companies. The upcoming BCM will also debut OTT content produced exclusively in Busan.

The conference will host an array of discussions, with topics spanning artificial intelligence-related content and genre-fusion content ratings. This year, a novel conference session will be introduced, focusing on securing the bid for the 2030 Busan World Expo with a particular emphasis on Central and South America.

In the realm of business matching and funding, a panel constituted of representatives from approximately 30 venture capital firms specializing in content will participate in the BCM. These experts will engage in investment activities, targeting domestic and international content production companies demonstrating high potential.