Yesterday, during the opening day of MIP London, the «Highlighting Creativity IPs from Korea» showcase by KOCCA, offered international buyers and commissioners a front-row seat to the next evolution of K-Content, unveiling eight fresh, market-ready projects spanning from high-stakes military reality to A.I.-powered documentaries.
The curated session presented a powerful spectrum of intellectual property from four leading Korean studios. Blending strong narrative depth with export-ready structures, the showcase was designed to give global platforms a rare opportunity to discover the next generation of Korean formats before they officially hit the international market.
The presentation highlighted a strong push into premium factual and wellness programming. Chaiyoung Kim, Producer at ELTV, showcased two culturally rich projects centered around food and human connection. Monks in the Kitchen is a six-part reality series that follows master monks of Korean temple cuisine, exploring the culinary philosophy and spiritual practice behind plant-based, nature-rooted dishes. Similarly, A Nation of Tteok takes a documentary approach to explore the cultural significance of traditional white rice cakes, revealing how the iconic food marks life milestones and carries the memories of the nation.
Pushing the boundaries of the factual genre, Jayoung Goo, Executive Producer at J Wonder, presented a deeply emotional slate. Granny Goes Global offers a heartwarming two-way reality format where grandmothers from Korea and abroad travel across the world to reunite with their grandchildren, capturing culture-clashing, tear-jerking family adventures. On the other end of the emotional spectrum, J Wonder introduced I want to live, a chilling six-part disaster documentary. The series follows children living at the epicenter of climate collapse and uses A.I.-generated visualizations to show them a version of themselves 10 or 20 years in the future, offering a stark warning about environmental inequality.
Scripted formats also took a bold turn during the session. Joosoo Choi, PD at BoxMedia, presented Man in Hanbok, a highly inventive fusion historical drama. The plot traces a vanished 15th-century Korean genius, Jang Yeong-sil, who flees to Europe and crosses paths with a young Leonardo da Vinci in Florence. BoxMedia also tapped into the booming youth demographic with Love Class 3, a Boy’s Love (BL) romance and idol drama following four young men—including a jaded Thai musical prodigy and an aging trainee—navigating ambition and love in Seoul.
Rounding out the showcase was a look at high-impact studio and competitive reality formats, presented by Courtney Boyett, Senior Manager of Sales & Licensing at Something Special, South Korea’s first independent format agency. Boyett introduced Unforgettable Duet, a deeply moving studio music show where individuals living with Alzheimer’s sing a duet with a family member. Capitalizing on music as a ‘non-pharmaceutical solution’ to unlock memories, the format aims to create an unforgettable moment of connection for families affected by dementia.
Finally, Something Special highlighted the immense franchise potential of Korean reality TV with Iron Squad. As Korea’s number-one military competition for four straight years, the format pits elite reservists from the nation’s toughest special forces units against each other in extreme, expert-designed missions. The IP has already proven its scalability, expanding into female editions and exploration-driven spin-offs.
Ultimately, the showcase served as a clear indicator of where the Korean creative industry is headed: highly emotional, visually innovative, and deeply local stories built with universal mechanics designed to travel the globe.
