Copyright Variety
The Taiwan Creative Content Fest forum, Stories in Motion: From IP to Investment to Global, drilled deep into how Asian stories move through the modern value chain – from original IP to financing to worldwide circulation. Mr. Romance CEO Sean Saeyoon Shim and Yungsun Soh, senior VP and MD of A+E Global Media, Korea, one of the most influential women in international entertainment, joined the discussion moderated by DaMou Entertainment CEO Jayde Lin. The conversation opened with Korea’s webtoon ecosystem, a prolific source of globally adaptable IP. “Webtoons come pre-tested by audiences. They give producers a solid foundation to gauge demand,” Shim said. “But international viability is just as crucial. For Korea or Taiwan, the key is pursuing themes that feel original and sincere – stories with emotional reach beyond borders.” Soh observed that despite surging global attention for Asian content, the path from IP to screen has become more complex. “Streaming competition and rising production costs introduce new pressures. That’s why aligning with partners who share the same creative and strategic vision is more important than ever,” she noted. Packaging remains a decisive factor in investment. Shim shared that he relies on informal audience feedback before aligning with financiers, but emphasized the second phase of the journey: “Once a show is on a platform, the big question is how it breaks through the noise.” Soh also agreed: “Everyone wants to stand out on global streamers. But Asian stories – from Korea and increasingly across the region – are resonating worldwide. Strong storytelling paired with strong marketing will find its audience.” Shim cited “Moving,” the Disney+ hit that took seven years to shape its debut season, as an example of long-arc IP development paying off. Looking ahead to the global market, he sees two critical pathways for markets with shrinking domestic demand: international co-production to share risk and expand reach, and shifting development from B2B to B2C, including blockchain mechanisms that allow audiences to participate as micro-investors or even influence casting. “It creates a new communication channel between producers and viewers,” he noted. Shim, CEO of Mr. Romance, who signed a memorandum of understanding with TAICCA in March, admitted that working within government-backed frameworks comes with both security and strings attached. Even so, both speakers were upbeat that the next wave of pan-Asian partnerships – Taiwan firmly in the mix – will push regional IP further onto the global stage.
