Media | The Big Players Behind the Scenes – Korea’s Production Companies

The K-drama market is booming: South Korean productions have long since secured their place in the global series and film landscape – and the trend is showing no signs of slowing down. Since Squid Game, The Glory, or Crash Landing on You, one thing has become clear: K-dramas are no longer a niche, but in global demand – from Mexico to Morocco, from Berlin to Bangkok.

As international demand grows, so does the significance of the production companies behind these successes. They are the creative and strategic minds behind the scenes – and some are now operating on equal footing with Hollywood. Time to take a closer look at the big players in the K-drama world.

Studio Dragon (스튜디오드래곤)

• Founded: 2016 | Parent company: CJ ENM

• Most successful productions: Crash Landing on You (사랑의 불시착, 2019–2020), Goblin (도깨비, 2016–2017)

Studio Dragon is considered a powerhouse of the K-drama industry. As a subsidiary of media giant CJ ENM, the company produces numerous dramas each year, many of them international co-productions with Netflix.

What sets Studio Dragon apart: an impressive range of genres, high production standards, and a feel for emotional stories with global appeal. In addition to romantic series, the studio increasingly focuses on fantasy, thrillers, and cinematic formats – working closely with renowned screenwriters and directors.

Studio Dragon is far from a hidden gem internationally: it even operates an office in Los Angeles to further strengthen its position in the global series market.

SLL (에스엘엘, formerly JTBC Studios)

• Founded: 2019 (as JTBC Studios) | Parent company: JoongAng Media Group

• Most successful productions: The World of the Married (부부의 세계, 2020 - 2020), Reborn Rich (재벌집 막내아들, 2022 - 2022)

SLL stands for high-end prestige productions with a distinct signature style. As a subsidiary of JoongAng Media Group – one of Korea’s largest media companies – SLL quickly established itself as a heavyweight in the drama sector. What stands out: many of its series tackle socially relevant issues or retell classic themes in new and surprising ways.

SLL is also steadily expanding its international presence – with an increasing number of co-productions and strategic partnerships. Its hallmark remains unmistakable: tightly woven storytelling, visually sophisticated, and often with a fine sense for social nuances.

AStory (에이스토리)

• Founded: 2004

• Most successful productions: Extraordinary Attorney Woo (이상한 변호사 우영, 2022 - 2022), Kingdom (킹덤, 2019 - 2021)

AStory is a prime example of how smaller studios can achieve global success. The company has gained international recognition with emotionally layered content that resonates beyond Korea – particularly through the reach of global streaming platforms.

The studio focuses on character-driven stories with emotional depth and social relevance. AStory often works with emerging talents and doesn’t shy away from tackling original or sensitive topics.

Alongside the major studios, smaller production companies have also established themselves as serious players. Baram Pictures, KeyEast, and Blossom Entertainment are among the better-known names, as are Zium Content, Hwa&Dam Pictures, Studio&NEW, and Pan Entertainment. Content Wavve – a joint venture of Korea’s major TV broadcasters – is also investing more in original content, which is expected to gain more international traction in the medium term.

International streaming platforms have long recognized the potential of Korean dramas – led by Netflix. The platform now acts not only as a distributor but increasingly as a co-producer. Whether working with large studios like Studio Dragon or with independent firms such as Hwa&Dam Pictures for The Glory (더 글로리, 2022 - 2023) or Siren Pictures for Squid Game (오징어 게임, 2021 - 2025) – the latter being the production company of director Hwang Dong-hyuk – Netflix is betting on bold creative voices and helping bring Korean stories to audiences worldwide.

Conclusion: The K-drama world is growing rapidly – and anyone wanting to understand where it’s heading should take a closer look at the production companies and their strategies behind the scenes.