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Specialist Guide to the

Global Leaders in Media Law Practice

Known as Asia’s TV Capital, South Korea continues to produce world-leading content across film, TV and music segments as the “Korean wave” continues to dominate.

Over the past year, Netflix announced it will invest USD2.5 billion in Korean TV series, films and unscripted shows. The investment will be made over four years and is double the amount

invested in 2016.

In a statement, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos commented: "We were able to make this decision because we have great confidence that the Korean creative industry will continue to tell great stories. We were also inspired by the President’s love and strong support for the Korean entertainment industry and fuelling the Korean wave. I’d like to personally thank the President for his kind response letter."

According to Statista, South Korea’s TV and Video market in projected to reach a revenue total of USD10.53 billion by the end of 2024, and USD12.04 billion by 2029.

Other topics of importance over the past year include concerns about press freedom following a rise in court cases involving national media outlets. The country subsequently ranked four places lower in the 2023 World Press Freedom Index, moving to position 47 in the ranking.

SOUTH KOREA

TIER 1

The team at Bae, Kim & Lee has in-depth industry knowledge. The firm’s client base includes broadcast companies, advertising and event promotion firms, sports associations and individual performers such as actors and athletes. The practice represents several Korean cable television content providers, US networks and leading sports and animated programming channels. The team also advise on copyright, licensing and intellectual property transactions.

Media lawyers at Kim & Chang advise some of the country’s most prominent clients. The firm has an established TMT division with 20 years of sector specialisation. Lawyers act for foreign broadcasting companies, online game developers and e-commerce companies. In highlighted work, the team represented iHQ, a leading Korean entertainment company and CU Media, a broadcasting programme provider, in the largest domestic transaction involving an entertainment content producer and a broadcast channel programme provider.

TIER 2

Lee & Ko has two decades of industry specialisation coupled with in-depth coverage of cases connected with satellite broadcasting, online gaming and e-commerce. The team has exceptional experience assisting clients with online regulatory issues such as privacy and advertisement. Mr Park is also an experienced litigator assisting with cases of ground-wave re-transmission between cable television companies and ground-wave broadcasting companies.

With a broadcasting focus, Shin & Kim routinely assists with approvals, operations and mergers and acquisitions of cable, terrestrial and satellite broadcasters. In highlighted work, the team advised on a joint venture between SBS and CNBC and represented Next Entertainment World on investment by China’s Huace Film & TV. The team also advises on privacy and copyright matters.

Yulchon acts for local and international clients from media and communications sectors. Lawyers advise on regulation and disputes regarding multi-channel pay-television platforms such as IPTV and satellite broadcasting. Other work relates to disputes and litigation between media and telecommunication corporations. The team routinely advices on mergers and acquisitions, data privacy and cyber security.

TIER 3

Copyright specialist Barun Law handles management and licensing of copyrights and related disputes. Lawyers act for entertainment and sports companies on diverse intellectual property matters. The practice brings together a range of service areas to provide extensive coverage of cases that involve antitrust, litigation and product liability.

HMP Law’s entertainment, e-commerce and communications division assists with regulatory matters, corporate transactions and litigation. Lawyers advise on sponsorship contracts in the sports and entertainment industry and negotiate copyright agreements. The firm is also involved in legislative amendments of the broadcasting act.

The TMT division at Yoon & Yang provides cross-practice advisory and regulatory services, working closely with the entertainment and sports practice. Lawyers provide advice on antitrust laws and intellectual property to domestic and foreign companies investing in the local media market.