Seven Leading Korean FAST Channels to Explore Business Opportunities with Global Media and Advertising Industries
Korea’s leading FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) channel operators are coming together to accelerate their global market expansion. The K-FAST Global Showcase, hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) and organized by the Korea Association for ICT Promotion (KAIT), will be held on Thursday, November 13, at Convene 530 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, New York.
The showcase, running from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, will feature seven prominent Korean FAST channel operators: CJ ENM, Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, K20, NEW ID, SMR, Hudson AI, and Toast Eleven. These companies will present the excellence of Korean content and the business potential of FAST channels directly to global media companies, advertisers, and platform partners.
Global FAST Market to Reach $11 Billion by 2030, Korean Content as Key Driver
According to global media research firm Omdia, FAST channel advertising revenue is projected to grow approximately 14-fold over ten years, from $800 million in 2020 to $11 billion by 2030. While the United States accounts for 76% of the global market, Korea is expected to emerge as the world’s 12th largest FAST market with approximately $50 million by 2030.
At the heart of this growth is the global popularity of K-content. As the Korean Wave expands beyond dramas and films to variety shows, K-POP, food, and fashion-beauty content, demand for Korean content on free ad-supported streaming platforms is exploding.
From CJ ENM to AI-Powered Startups: Diverse Korean FAST Operators Unite
Participating companies bring differentiated content and technological capabilities to capture the global market.
CJ ENM operates six FAST channels on Samsung TV Plus and Roku platforms, including K-Stories by CJ ENM, K-Pop by CJ ENM, and K-Drama by CJ ENM, delivering premium Korean Wave content worldwide. The company attracts global audiences with proven hit content such as Transit Love, Hotel del Luna, and Street Woman Fighter.
SMR operates the Series K channel based on extensive libraries from major Korean broadcasters including KBS, MBC, and SBS. The company serves over 2 billion viewers across more than 10 countries worldwide with over 100 verified titles and more than 2,000 drama episodes available in multiple languages through AI dubbing technology. Representative content includes Stove League, Hwang Jini, and Pasta.
NEW ID, Asia’s leading mediatech company operating over 400 FAST channels, pioneers the first dubbed FAST service for Korean films through the NEW KMOVIES channel. The company breaks down language barriers by offering premium K-movies in local languages, including Ma Dong-seok and Lee Jung-jae’s Along with the Gods series and Song Kang-ho’s The Attorney.
K20 promotes Korean food culture globally through its FoodON channel. The company creates differentiated value with verified food content such as Baek Jong-won’s Les Misérables across various formats including cooking recipes, mukbang, documentaries, and variety shows, utilizing proprietary advertising sales and data-driven strategies.
1:1 Business Meetings and Networking for Practical Collaboration Opportunities
The event aims for tangible business outcomes beyond simple introductions. The afternoon schedule includes 1:1 business meetings between participating companies and global partners, along with a networking lunch for open exchange.
Beginning with a keynote by Omdia, presentations and showcases by Korean FAST channel operators will follow. Attendees can discuss in detail the global competitiveness of Korean content, FAST channel revenue models, and partnership opportunities.
K-Content Opens the Era of Free Streaming
An MSIT official stated, “As K-dramas and K-POP gain worldwide love, FAST channels serve as an effective platform to reach more global viewers through a free, ad-supported model. We expect this showcase to help Korean FAST operators secure competitiveness in the global market and establish a foundation for sustainable growth of the K-content industry.”
The event will be conducted for global media and advertising industry professionals who pre-register through RSVP. Detailed information is available on the Korea Association for ICT Promotion (KAIT) website.
I’ve extracted the text from the Excel file. Here’s the information about the 5 Korean companies participating in K-FAST Global Showcase:
K-FAST Global Showcase Companies
1. CJ ENM
Overview:
Since its founding in 1995, CJ ENM has led the Korean entertainment industry with original K-dramas, films, variety shows, and music. The company’s FAST strategy extends its global reach by delivering premium Korean content to viewers worldwide across multiple genres.
FAST Channels:
- K-Stories by CJ ENM
- K-Pop by CJ ENM
- K-Content by CJ ENM (Samsung TV Plus, etc.)
Channel Highlights:
Access global K-drama and entertainment content through CJ ENM’s curated FAST channels—available anytime, anywhere.
Key IPs:
- Transit Love
- Street Woman Fighter
- Hotel Del Luna
Content Focus:
A blend of romance dramas, survival shows, and high-impact reality entertainment showcasing the full spectrum of K-culture to international audiences.
2. SMR (Smart Media Rep)
Overview:
A content distribution and advertising powerhouse jointly established by MBC and SBS, SMR manages the digital rights of Korea’s top broadcasters and delivers proven titles to FAST and OTT platforms.
FAST Channels:
- Series K
Channel Highlights:
Home to over 100 verified drama titles and 2,000+ curated episodes from Korea’s legacy broadcasters.
Key IPs:
- Stove League
- Hwang Jin Yi
- Pasta
Content Focus:
Premium K-drama selections featuring stories of determination, artistry, and emotion—from sports triumphs to historical epics and culinary dramas.
3. NEW ID
Overview:
A leading FAST and AI media tech company enabling local content to go global. NEW ID provides FAST distribution, advertising, and AI-driven localization to accelerate the reach of Korean movies and entertainment worldwide.
FAST Channels:
- NEW KMOVIES
Channel Highlights:
The world’s first dubbed Korean movie FAST channel—bringing Korea’s top cinematic hits to global audiences in multiple languages.
Key IPs:
- Along With the Gods 1 & 2
- The Attorney
Content Focus:
Blockbuster Korean films that transcend language barriers through dubbing and cultural adaptation, delivering emotional storytelling to new audiences globally.
4. K20 (K2NT)
Overview:
K20 curates genre-based Korean content channels—from film and fashion to food and travel—targeting global FAST platforms with thematic lifestyle and entertainment offerings.
FAST Channels:
- FoodON
Channel Highlights:
A dynamic FAST channel dedicated to Korean culinary culture—featuring cooking shows, food documentaries, and lifestyle programs.
Key IPs:
- Baek Jong-won’s Les Miserables
Content Focus:
Reality and survival-style cooking programs where participants pursue their last chance to redefine their culinary careers.
5. Hudson AI
Overview:
An emerging AI-driven media startup specializing in data analytics and content recommendation systems tailored for the entertainment and FAST ecosystem.
FAST Channels:
- (TBD)
Channel Highlights:
To be unveiled—AI-based personalization and viewer data optimization tools in development.
Key IPs:
- (In preparation)
Content Focus:
Developing next-gen AI solutions to enhance content discovery and audience engagement across global platforms.
Event Overview
Event Name: K-FAST to the Global Stage
Date & Time: Thursday, November 13, 2025, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Venue: The South Hub (9F), Convene 530 Fifth Avenue, New York
Host: Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT)
Organizer: Korea Association for ICT Promotion (KAIT)
Participating Companies: CJ ENM, Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, K20, NEW ID, SMR, Hudson AI, Toast Eleven
Program:
- 1. Keynote by Omdia
- Pitches and Showcases by 7 Korean FAST Channels
- Networking Lunch and 1:1 Business Meetings
RSVP: https://forms.gle/RAcAWGnAMzzVUoTb9
Contact
Korea Association for ICT Promotion (KAIT) kfast@kait.or.kr
Jung Han existen75@kentertechhub.com
