Chorokbaem, known for popular dramas such as "My Mister," "All In" and "The Slave Hunters," said in a regulatory filing Tuesday that Q Capital agreed to purchase about 9.617 million shares for 180 billion won ($137 million).
Upon completion of the transaction, expected on Nov. 29, Q Capital will become the largest shareholder with a 39.33 percent stake.
The private equity fund has invested in cultural content, including popular films such as the Academy Award-winning "Parasite," "Ashfall" and "Exit."
Chorokbaem’s stock trading was suspended in June 2023 after then-chairman Won Young-sik was investigated in a stock manipulation case involving an affiliate of the cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb. Won is currently undergoing a court trial.
The Korea Exchange later decided to delist the company, but Chorokbaem appealed the decision.
Candice Kim
Candice Kim is a dedicated business and technology reporter specializing in the intersection of high-tech innovation and fast-paced consumer trends. Her core beats span the semiconductor, IT, cosmetics, and retail sectors, where she provides in-depth coverage of industry titans including Samsung Electronics, SK hynix, and LG Electronics, alongside leading consumer brands like Olive Young and Musinsa. Whether analyzing complex silicon supply chains or tracking the latest shifts in beauty and fashion retail, Candice is committed to delivering sharp, accurate reporting that keeps readers informed on the forces shaping today's most dynamic markets.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.
Related News
-
What to Watch This Chuseok: OTT Platforms Offer Diverse Lineup
As the Chuseok holiday approaches, major OTT platforms have prepared a rich lineup of content to entertain viewers, whether they are staying home or traveling. From relatable office dramas and variety shows to well-crafted films and audio content, there are plenty of options to choose from based on personal preferences and situations. Tving: From Lottery Winning Office Drama to New Works by Park Chan-wook Tving has curated a diverse lineup that balances healing and excitement for the holiday season. In the drama category, 'Lottery Winner Goes to Work,' starring Lee Jun-hyuk, tells the story of a junior team leader who wins 1.3 billion won, providing a satisfying escape for office workers. 'New Recruit 4: Sabotage,' featuring Kim Min-ho, depicts the realistic military life of a soldier who has risen in rank, while 'Four Hands,' starring Song Kang, Lee Jun-young, and Jang Gyu-ri, explores the youth and growth of musical geniuses at an arts high school. For holiday variety shows, 'King of Trot Show' features a competition among trot stars, while 'Cosmic Rice Cake Shop,' starring Lee Eun-ji, Mimi, Lee Young-ji, and Ahn Yu-jin, follows their chaotic attempts to run a rice cake shop. The dating show 'Enemies in the Outfield' combines baseball and matchmaking for a lighthearted viewing experience. In film and animation, audiences can look forward to the action-comedy 'Mayday' starring Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh, the heartwarming 'Snoopy's Camping,' and 'There’s No Way Out,' featuring Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin, and Park Hee-soon, directed by Park Chan-wook. Wavve: Immersive Survival Shows and 4K Historical Dramas for the Journey Wavve aims to stand out with its immersive original content and audio features optimized for travel. The survival show 'The Community 2: The Invisible Hand,' which involves a social experiment for survival and cash prizes, and the new investigative variety show 'Legendary Investigation,' premiering on the 23rd, are recommended for binge-watching during the long holiday. The 'Listen Form' service allows users to enjoy best-selling audiobooks and shows like 'Great Lessons, Great Minds' and 'Midnight Horror Stories' comfortably while on the road. For those seeking solo relaxation, Wavve offers the live-action series 'Strange: Junji Ito's Unsettling Stories,' the relatable romance 'Another Love Besides You' starring Seo Kang-joon and Ahn Eun-jin, and a special episode of 'Moonlight Drawn by Clouds' celebrating its 10th anniversary with Park Bo-gum and Kim Yoo-jung. For family viewing, the streaming of Lee Seung-chul's special performance celebrating his 40th anniversary and 4K upscaled versions of legendary historical dramas like 'Dae Jang Geum' and 'Immortal Admiral Yi Sun-sin' promise to deliver emotional experiences. Netflix: Joseon-era Scandal and Winter Fun in Daegwallyeong Netflix targets the Chuseok holiday with captivating historical dramas set in the Joseon era and a variety show that captures the winter romance of Daegwallyeong. The series 'Scandal,' released on the 18th, features the talented woman 'Lady Jo' (played by Son Ye-jin) and the top matchmaker 'Jo Won' (played by Ji Chang-wook) as they engage in a risky and audacious love bet over the widow 'Hee-yeon' (played by Nana). The show combines a classic storyline with Korean aesthetics and the hidden desires of its characters, creating a unique immersive experience. Launching on the 22nd, 'Daehwanjang: Season 2' moves the setting to Daegwallyeong, offering unpredictable variety show content. Veteran host Gi-an 84 is joined by new staff members Kim Yeon-kyung, Lee Junho, and Kazha as they create joyful and warm winter memories with young guests while sledding in the snow. Disney+: New Family Favorite 'Toy Story 5' and the Rise of Smart Tablets Disney+ is set to attract family audiences with its new animated classic. Scheduled for release on the 23rd, 'Toy Story 5' features the introduction of a smart tablet named 'Lillypad,' which brings challenges for Jessie, Woody, Buzz, and their toy friends as they embark on an unpredictable adventure. The film conveys messages of enduring friendship and growth in a changing digital age, promising heartwarming joy and inspiration for audiences of all ages during the Chuseok holiday. * This article has been translated by AI.
-
![[K-Drama] Streaming platforms reshape Korean drama landscape](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2025/08/04/20250804100616236090_278_163.jpg)
Streaming platforms reshape Korean drama landscape
Getty Images Bank SEOUL, August 4 (AJP) - As South Korean culture continues to captivate global audiences with breakout hits like Netflix’s animated "KPop Demon Hunters" and the thriller drama The Glory, a new academic study suggests that the country’s once romance-dominated television landscape is undergoing a profound transformation — one driven by the rise of streaming platforms and expanded cable programming. A study published July 30 in the Korean Journal of Broadcasting and Telecommunication Studies found that Korean dramas have experienced major shifts in genre composition during two pivotal moments: the early 2010s, marked by the launch of comprehensive programming channels, and the post-2016 boom of online video streaming platforms, or OTT services. While traditional television still leads in overall market share, its dominance is fading. According to data from PwC, a $295.8 billion gap between global TV broadcasting and OTT platforms in 2019 narrowed to $156.7 billion by 2024. The forecast suggests OTT will continue to gain ground, with the difference shrinking to just $100.1 billion by 2028. The consequences for Korean drama genres have been significant. Romance dramas, once the undisputed mainstay of the industry, have seen their share shrink dramatically — from 31.1 percent of all Korean dramas between 2005 and 2009 to 18.1 percent in the years spanning 2016 to 2023. In contrast, previously marginal genres — thriller, mystery, crime, period pieces, and fantasy — have surged. Each of these categories, which represented just 0.5 to 1.3 percent of the drama landscape before 2010, rose to account for between 3 and 6 percent after 2016. Thriller content in particular grew from 0.5 percent in the late 2000s to 5.6 percent in recent years, while fantasy genres expanded from 1.3 to 6.3 percent. “The proliferation of OTT platforms created an environment that reduced temporal and spatial constraints, thereby enhancing access to and consumption of diverse genres,” the study noted. It also emphasized that genre experimentation has spread across all broadcasting formats — not just cable or OTT, but also terrestrial networks. Major networks have embraced the trend. SBS broke genre boundaries with My Love from the Star in 2013, a fantasy romance featuring an alien protagonist, and later achieved success in the underrepresented sports drama genre with Hot Stove League in 2019. MBC ventured into darker thematic territory with the mystery thriller Black Out in 2023. Meanwhile, cable broadcasters have increasingly leveraged OTT platforms to amplify their reach. CJ ENM’s tvN saw global success with Queen of Tears, a Netflix-distributed original that drew millions of viewers worldwide. JTBC’s Heavenly Ever After, a fantasy romance, topped ratings among non-terrestrial programs at its peak. JTBC's fantasy romance drama "Heavenly Ever After" on Netflix/ Courtesy of Netflix
-
Controversy Over Historical Distortion in '21st Century Great Lady'
'21st Century Great Lady' Seok Kyung-deok, a professor at Sungshin Women's University, criticized the recently concluded MBC drama '21st Century Great Lady' for its historical inaccuracies, stating it has provided a basis for China's Northeast Project. On May 19, Yonhap News reported that Seok expressed on social media, "For historical content viewed by global audiences through OTT platforms, it is crucial to ensure accurate historical verification and to be aware of the historical distortions by neighboring countries. Missing this aspect is particularly regrettable." He added, "Following criticism from netizens, the production team belatedly issued an apology on the 16th," noting that the controversy is spreading across online communities and social media in the Chinese-speaking world. Seok emphasized, "We must learn from the controversies surrounding SBS's 'Joseon Exorcist' and MBC's '21st Century Great Lady' to prevent such issues from recurring in the future." Earlier, in the 11th episode aired on the 15th, the royal second son, Lee An-daegun, was depicted ascending to the throne after various challenges. However, during the coronation scene, some viewers raised concerns when subjects shouted 'cheonsae,' a term used by vassal states, instead of 'manse,' the symbol of a sovereign nation, and when the king wore a crown associated with Chinese vassals rather than the imperial crown of a sovereign state.* This article has been translated by AI.