Omdia: South Korea Emerges as Asia’s Next FAST Powerhouse, Driven by Global K-Content Boom

Speaking at the International Streaming Festival in
Market Momentum in
Since the launch of Samsung TV Plus in 2015, South Korea’s FAST market has developed at pace. Today:
- Wavve leads the sector, followed by Samsung TV Plus and LG Channels.
- LG U+ and Diva (formerly D’Live) are also gaining ground.
-
FAST has become mainstream: Samsung TV Plus ranks as the 5th most-watched video service on connected TVs in
Korea , with LG Channels in 10th place.
This growth positions
Netflix: A Global Catalyst for K-Content
Netflix has been instrumental in elevating Korean programming worldwide:
-
It offers over 8,000 Korean titles in
South Korea - more than Amazon, Apple TV+, and Disney+ combined. - Squid Game remains Netflix’s most-watched show ever, with 1.65 billion hours viewed.
- K-pop-inspired productions like K-Pop Demon Hunters are breaking records as top-performing films globally.
- K-pop continues to dominate platforms such as Spotify and TikTok, extending cultural reach to younger audiences.
“Netflix is the global ambassador for K-content,� added Rua Aguete. “As we saw with Spain’s Money Heist, when one streamer leads, others follow. This rising global demand directly benefits FAST, where Korean series and formats are gaining ground on ad-supported platforms worldwide.�
Government Backing the Next Korean Wave
The Korean government has pledged �1 trillion (
Additionally, the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Association for ICT Promotion have launched the Global K-FAST Alliance to expand Korean FAST channels internationally.
“The government sees FAST as the next chapter of the Korean Wave,� Rua Aguete noted. “Korea now has the perfect storm: a thriving presence in both pay and free TV markets, supported by global demand and local investment.�
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Fasiha Khan: [email protected]
Source: Omdia