"I will elevate the Korea Creative Content Agency (KCA) to a comprehensive K-Culture agency that encompasses not only content but also lifestyle," said Kim Yoon-ji, the head of KCA, during a press briefing marking her 100 days in office at the CKL Business Support Center in Seoul on September 17.
Kim emphasized the need to establish an IP (intellectual property)-centric business system, stating, "The core of our new strategy is to create an environment for content IP business that expands from fandom into other genres and industries. We need to rebuild long-term revenue models."
The government aims to grow the K-Culture market to 400 trillion won by 2030. Kim believes that merely improving existing content production support methods will not suffice to achieve this goal. She advocates for a strategy that also promotes the overseas expansion of related industries such as food, beauty, and fashion centered around K-content.
To this end, KCA will first promote a 'Korean-style Production Committee.' This initiative will connect creators, production companies, financial institutions, platforms, and manufacturers to discover competitive IPs and support them from planning and production to distribution, commercialization, and international expansion.
Kim stated, "While we have focused on creating new content until now, we need policies that grow content into larger IPs. We will work to link webtoons with fashion, toys, and more to help them grow into global brands."
However, rather than forming a large committee from the outset, the plan is to start by connecting IPs with companies. Kim noted, "I intend to begin by linking production companies or consumer goods firms that need IPs. If even one or two IPs are successfully expanded, similar attempts may follow in the private sector. This is also a characteristic of countries like the U.S. and Japan, where the content business is monetized. Enhancing the profitability of content through IP is the direction KCA aims for."
KCA will introduce the KIPS project, which combines private investment with policy initiatives, to support the entire export process of K-lifestyle industries, including food, beauty, and fashion, centered around content. Additionally, KCA is considering regularizing K-Expo in regions with significant K-Culture influence, such as North America, Europe, and Asia. The current 28 overseas bases will be restructured into overseas business centers to play a practical agency role in supporting local exports.
The organization will also be restructured to adapt to changes in the field and industry. A dedicated organization for artificial intelligence (AI) will be established, and a 'Content IP Strategy Council' will be created to connect various IP-related projects scattered across departments.
Furthermore, the evaluation system for support projects will be revised. Kim stated, "We will strengthen the expertise of the support project evaluation committee and will reconstitute the committee annually, enhancing the competency evaluation of the evaluators."
Plans are also underway to transition KCA from a government subsidy-focused institution to a grant-supported organization. Kim remarked, "I will continue to persuade the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to loosen the rigid structure. Becoming a grant-supported organization will allow us to respond more flexibly to the rapidly changing content industry environment."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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