South Korean screen industry hit $17.1bn in 2025

South Korea ‘s film, TV, and streaming industry generated KRW 24T ($17.1B) in GDP in 2025, according to a Motion Picture Association (MPA) report.

The sector also provided 291,100 jobs, with the MPA mentioning that for every ₩1B earned within the industry, another KRW 2.1B was produced elsewhere.

Almost 80% of the jobs were in micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, which, according to the MPA, illustrates “a highly interconnected production ecosystem.”

The insights, crafted by Oxford Economics, were unveiled at the National Assembly in Seoul, Korea’s capital, in the presence of policymakers and industry leaders.

South Korea ‘s global influence continues to rise, with K-pop shaping youth music preferences and series like Squid Game achieving significant success for platforms like Netflix.

MPA’s studio members – Netflix, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, The Walt Disney Studios, Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios, and Warner Bros. Discovery – have made substantial investments in local productions.

Lim O‑Kyeong, a National Assembly member of the Republic of Korea and a pivotal figure in culture, content, and sports policy, remarked that “Korea’s video content sector has advanced beyond the worldwide popularity of Hallyu to become a significant force in the national economy.”

The report further demonstrated how South Korea’s film and TV industry has been expanding its international influence, with exports almost doubling since 2019 to attain KRW 1.8T in 2024.

MPA Chairman and CEO Charles Rivkin emphasized that the findings underscore Korea’s role as a leader in screen production and storytelling.

“South Korea’s audiovisual sector is now among the most impactful globally,” stated Rivkin.

“This report highlights an industry that generates considerable economic benefits domestically while sharing creativity, culture, and innovation globally.

MPA-affiliated studios are honored to collaborate with Korean creators to bring these narratives to global viewers.”

Mila Venugopalan, President and Managing Director for Asia-Pacific at MPA, highlighted Korea as a model for policymakers worldwide.

“Wherever we go, policymakers are eager to learn how Korea succeeded,” she stated.

“This report illustrates that Korea’s triumph is rooted in strong creative talent, data-driven policy, and global collaboration. It’s a blueprint many regions now aim to replicate.”