The film industry in South Korea adopts artificial intelligence

The film industry in South Korea is facing significant financial challenges, with domestic box office sales dropping by 45% compared to pre-pandemic levels, partly due to the increasing popularity of streaming platforms. In 2022, only 20 films with budgets over 3 billion won (approximately 2.15 million dollars) were produced, compared to 40-50 annually before the pandemic, according to the Korean Film Council.

Hyun-jung Baek from CJ ENM, the largest production company in South Korea, emphasizes that production costs have risen significantly, and profits from K-content are not proportional to global expansion. Many companies, including CJ ENM, are turning to artificial intelligence to reduce costs and accelerate deliveries, which has sparked controversy regarding the impact on jobs and the authenticity of Korean cinema. AI technology is already being used in projects such as the short film 'It’s Me, Moon-hee' and the series 'Cat Biggie.'