The serialised vertical drama boom has set off a race for facilities that can accommodate compact sets, lean budgets and accelerated schedules.    

Along with Korea, Japan is Asia’s co-production/co-development partner of the moment for two main reasons – money and will.

What's at the top of our watch list for MIPCOM 2025  

The first half of 2025 delivered at least 78 formats commissioned/on air across Asia, with the adaptations spotlight firmly on South and Southeast Asia, according to ContentAsia’s latest Formats Outlook research and analysis.  

Korea’s most prolific production studios have maintained hit rates and delivered impactful co-productions across Asia, even as domestic drama output contracts under rising production costs, according to new research from Media Partners Asia & ampd.

Global streamers have slashed Korean commissions by 43% and local production – crippled by rising production costs – fell by 20% in the two years between the first half of 2023 and the first half of 2025, a new report from Ampere Analysis shows.