The talk “CODE Korea: Korea’s OTT Originals Showcase,” held in the Winter Garden Room of the Westin Excelsior Hotel, explored the creative and distribution strategies behind South Korean original content, with the aim of fostering new collaborations between Korea and Europe. The event was moderated by Ryou Jae Hyun, Press and Events Promotion Coordinator at the Korean Cultural Center in Italy.
The first part of the showcase focused on CJ ENM, a major South Korean company involved in the production and distribution of audiovisual content.
Diane Min, Head of European Content Sales, presented three titles showcasing the diversity of K-content. The Legend of Kitchen Soldier blends comedy, fantasy and cooking through the adventures of a young soldier tasked with culinary missions. Dear X, a psychological thriller, follows the rise of a successful actress who manipulates those around her to achieve her ambitions.
Originally released on TVING, the series has also reached international audiences through HBO Max. Finally, True Beauty, a romantic comedy set in a high school, explores themes such as self-esteem and self-acceptance through the story of a young woman who uses makeup to conceal her insecurities.
The second part featured Jihie Kim, Head of Global Sales & IP Development at NEXTKEY, who presented Betting on Fact, an original format launched on the Korean platform Wavve in March 2026. The show brings together eight contestants in a competition combining news, reality TV and game-show elements, challenging them to evaluate information without access to their mobile phones.
The showcase highlighted how Korean productions are increasingly built around stories and formats designed to reach audiences beyond national borders, opening up new opportunities for distribution and collaboration with the European market.
