Prime Video Increases K-Content Investment By Adding K-Drama ‘Island’

Prime Video, the streaming service provided by AmazonAMZN
, recently increased their investment in Korean content by offering two currently airing k-drama series May I Help You and Love in Contract. In December their catalogue of k-content will further expand to include the fantasy k-drama Island, which they have licensed for territories outside of Korea. It will be available on TVING in South Korea and Prime will release it exclusively in over 240 other countries.

Island stars Kim Nam-gil, Lee Da-hee, Sung Joon and Astro’s Cha Eun-woo. Set on Korea’s Jeju Island, the story taps into local legends and folklore, featuring characters who are forced to fight the supernatural forces of evil. Without their efforts evil will certainly destroy the world. Kim plays Ban, a man raised to protect the world and battle supernatural threats. Lee plays Won Mi-ho, a teacher, Cha plays John, a Catholic priest who performs exorcisms and Sung Joon plays Gungtan, who fights alongside Ban.

Produced by YLab Flex, Studio Dragon and Gilstory Ent, Island is based on the popular webtoon written by Yoon In-wan and Yang Kyung-il. First published in 1997, the webtoon Island became an immediate hit. In 2016, Island was uploaded to Naver Webtoon and gained instant popularity with another generation of comic fans. The story is adapted for the small screen by Oh Bo-hyin and directed by Bae Jong.

As k-dramas become increasingly popular on a global level, more streaming platforms are offering Korean content to more countries, either producing or licensing original Korean content or offering direct access to Korean content providers. Prime Video launched in Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines in August 2022, three countries in which k-content has long been popular.

“Southeast Asian audiences love Korean content, and we can’t wait to bring Island and many more Korean series and films to our customers in the region and worldwide,” said David Simonsen, director Prime Video, Southeast Asia. “Island will complement our growing selection of content tailored to the region, which consists of local series and movies, anime and Korean content, alongside our amazing global content on Prime Video.”

Prime Video already carries a selection of older k-dramas including The Crowned Clown, Saimdang, Her Private Life and Oh My Ghost, as well as several Korean films, including The Last Princess and The Handmaiden.