Television Archives - Susan von Seggern

Experience IZZY’s Rich Catalog for Free February 1 to 8 to Celebrate the Global Premiere of “The Chef” From the Creator of Worldwide Hits “Shtisel” and “Fauda”

02/20/2024 by adminbolhuis

Publicity photo from Izzy the Chef Tel Aviv – February 1, 2024 – In a groundbreaking move, IZZY, the innovative streaming platform known for bringing the best of Israeli entertainment to the global stage, is thrilled to announce a one-week free viewing event. This exclusive offer from February 1 to 8 coincides with the worldwide premiere of “The Chef,” the latest addition to IZZY’s impressive content lineup.

This one-week free FULL-ACCESS is the perfect opportunity for new viewers to experience the depth and variety of IZZY’s catalog. It’s an invitation to explore the rich tapestry of Israeli storytelling, ranging from gripping dramas such as “The Women’s Balcony” and “Allenby” to insightful documentaries like “Under the Iron Dome,” “Golda,” and more.

The award-winning drama “The Chef” was produced by Yes Studios, the production house behind international hits like “Fauda,” “Shtisel,” and “The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem.” Its launch is expected to captivate audiences worldwide, showcasing the distinctive narrative and production quality that Israeli content is celebrated for.

Nati Dinnar, IZZY’s CEO & co-founder, expresses his excitement, “We are proud to open our doors to the world, offering full access to all that IZZY and the acclaimed entertainment Israel has to offer, available in all 190 countries worldwide. We believe that once audiences taste the unique and compelling content produced in Israel, such as “The Chef,” they will be eager to stay and watch more.”

“The Chef” centers around Nimrod (Guri Alfi), an unemployed high-tech worker who starts working in the kitchen of a prestigious restaurant run by a brilliant chef, Dori (Gal Toren). Dori is struggling to stay relevant and keep his place at the top of the ultra-competitive gastronomic world. The series explores toxic masculinity typical in both the technology and restaurant businesses and the fragility of the male ego through the juxtaposition of the two male characters. The new cook is a family man collapsing under the weight of his responsibilities and humdrum experience. At the same time, the chef is single, indulgent, and self-absorbed, seemingly at the top of his game.

This show has won numerous awards internationally, including Gal Toren as best actor at the Berlin festival, and is very aligned with the trend of high-stress restaurant kitchen shows such as “The Bear,” “Kitchen Confidential,” “Mammals,” and “Sweetbitter.” The trailer and long list of awards for “The Chef” are available here.

Viewers around the globe are encouraged to seize this opportunity to explore IZZY’s diverse content without any commitment. There is something for everyone, from edge-of-your-seat thrillers to heartwarming comedies to intense documentaries.
Detailed information on accessing IZZY’s free viewing week is available on the IZZY website at https://www.izzy.streamisrael.tv/ and on the streamer’s social media pages.

By offering a glimpse into its extensive library of content, IZZY aims to attract a wider audience, showcasing the cultural richness and storytelling prowess of Israeli cinema and television.

About IZZY:
IZZY, founded (in 2020) and managed by longtime Israeli media executive Nati Dinnar, is an Israel lover’s dream, offering unlimited Israeli movies, TV shows, and documentaries subscribers can view worldwide with English translation. The future of Israeli entertainment has never been more inspiring. Creativity is flourishing, and new technology empowers the discovery of more Israeli filmmakers and entertainers.

KOCOWA+ Leverages Advanced Natural Language Search Technology To Become A Game-Changer In Streaming Entertainment Discovery

10/13/2023 by Susan von Seggern

Los Angeles, CA – KOCOWA+, the premier destination for Korean entertainment in the Americas, is launching a groundbreaking AI-driven search feature designed to revolutionize how users engage with their content. KOCOWA+’s game-changing use of KeyTalk AI technology promises to reshape the entertainment landscape by giving viewers unprecedented intuitive, personalized, and engaging content recommendations.

KOCOWA+ – A Trailblazer in AI-Driven Entertainment Discovery

KOCOWA+ has always been committed to maintaining its status as the ultimate destination for Korean entertainment. In a bold move, KOCOWA+ has embraced AI technology to optimize its metadata and broaden its reach, making it more efficient in delivering search results that deliver precisely what consumers desire across multiple languages and platforms. This leap into AI aims to help audiences across the globe find the Korean content they crave based on thousands of intuitive, multi-language, and context-aware metadata touchpoints.

“KOCOWA+ is taking a giant step forward in providing our audience with a deeply personalized entertainment experience. We’re moving beyond basic recommendations and are excited to offer our users a level of engagement and discovery that goes far beyond the ordinary,” said KunHee Park, CEO at KOCOWA+.

KOCOWA+’s AI-Driven Data Transformation

KOCOWA+ leads the industry as the first platform with AI-driven data transformation, enhancing viewer experiences across multiple touchpoints and languages. This move strengthens KOCOWA+’s strong technology backbone, which already enables KOCOWA+ to translate new K-Dramas, K-Pop performances, and other shows into three (soon to be five) languages within hours of their original airings in Seoul and make them available across the globe for consumption.

Setting KOCOWA+ Apart

This new feature marks a significant milestone in all content streaming and K-pop, Drama, Variety, and Movies, opening a realm of exploration and discovery for fans. KOCOWA+ has partnered with KeyTalk AI’s, innovators at the forefront of prompt engineering and AI transformation solutions, like the Mycelebs Star App, Maimovie, and Glamai.

Unlocking the Power of AI

Leveraging KeyTalkAI’s platform, Mycelebs Star, a deep entertainment search source, users can now search differently. Instead of seeking “shows like Running Man,” they can describe their preferences in natural language, leading to more delightful discoveries. This innovative approach enhances the user experience, allowing for more meaningful content exploration.

KOCOWA+ is poised to reshape the entertainment discovery landscape, making it more personalized, engaging, and accessible than ever before, just in time for viewers to discover their new fall lineup and visit some of their new classic horror movies like Train to Busan and The Wailing just in time for Halloween!

For more information about KOCOWA+ and their KeyTalk AI’s Mycelebs Star app integration, please visit hhttps://www.kocowa.com/.

About wA and KOCOWA+:
wA is a global joint company between wavve, SK Square Americas, and the top Korean broadcasters KBS, MBC, & SBS. wA launched KOCOWA+, a subscription video streaming platform in the Americas, in 2017, with primary audiences in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil. KOCOWA+ provides a robust lineup of over 25,000 hours of Korean Dramas, Movies, Reality, and K-Pop content in multiple languages on its direct platform. For more information, please visit www.kocowa.com.

KOCOWA+ Launches Fall Season

09/22/2023 by Susan von Seggern

With New Reality, SitCom, K-Drama, and True Crime Series, Along with Additional Classic Films, including Zombie Favorite Train to Busan

Los Angeles, CA – September 7, 2023 – With the ongoing labor disputes casting shadows on Hollywood, audiences are turning to alternative streaming platforms for their entertainment fix. Leading the charge in offering a captivating alternative is KOCOWA+, the premier Korean content streamer, stepping up to deliver an impressive 40,000-hour library and an exciting lineup of five new shows this month. KOCOWA+ is also expanding its collection with more timeless Korean films, including the internationally acclaimed zombie blockbuster, “Train to Busan.”

KOCOWA+ CEO KunHee Park expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming fall season, stating, “We’re thrilled to kick off our autumn lineup with a diverse array of new shows and films. Our film collection, in particular, showcases some of the most iconic and culturally significant Korean cinema, now accessible to a wider audience.”

K-Drama lovers can anticipate the “Live Your Own Life” premiere on September 16. This heartwarming show narrates the journey of Lee Hyo Shim, a benevolent soul breaking free from her overbearing family to pursue her own happiness. Starring the renowned singer and actress Uee, celebrated for her involvement with the popular South Korean girl group After School, as well as her remarkable roles in television dramas including “Queen Seon Deok,” “High Society,” “Marriage Contract,” “My Contracted Husband Mr. Oh,” and “My Only One.”

Continuing the streak is the debut of the romantic family dramedy “The Unpredictable Family,” set to captivate audiences starting September 18. The show delves into the story of a divorced couple, separated by bitterness three decades ago, who reunite as in-laws through their shared post-divorce offspring. The series navigates the path of rekindling relationships, overcoming long-standing conflicts, and healing old wounds. Starring the talented Nam Sang Ji, known for her captivating performances in K-Dramas like “Sisters-in-Law” and “Bravo, My Life,” as well as her roles in movies such as “Lucid Dream” and “Ashfall.”

KOCOWA+ boasts a staggering collection of over 12,000 hours of content for K-Pop enthusiasts, ensuring fans will need over a year of round-the-clock viewing to cover it all. Adding to this treasure trove is “Holiday Staff: iKON’s The DreamPing,” featuring the ever-popular boy band iKON. The show chronicles the members’ unexpected venture into running a glamping business in the scenic city of Yangyang, Gangwon-do. What they believe to be a vacation soon transforms into a bustling endeavor, brimming with laughter, challenges, and heartfelt moments as they strive to create the ultimate experience for their customers.

True Crime aficionados will be captivated by the gripping narrative of “NFS: National Forensic Service 2,” which premiered on September 3. The show offers an exclusive peek into Korea’s federal crime lab as they unravel the enigmatic circumstances surrounding suspicious deaths.

Adding to the excitement, K-Reality show “After Signal” made its debut on September 1. This follow-up to the beloved dating series “Heart Signal 4” (also available on KOCOWA+) provides a salacious yet intimate look into the lives of the show’s popular contestants as they navigate their relationships, offering viewers valuable and sometimes scathing insights into their personal journeys.

The cinematic front is not to be overlooked, with KOCOWA+’s film library continually expanding. Most notably, the instant classic zombie thriller “Train to Busan” joins the lineup. The film’s gripping tale of survival aboard a train journey from Seoul to Busan during a zombie outbreak garnered international acclaim after its Cannes premiere. The film, boasting a remarkable 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, smashed box office records worldwide.

Film enthusiasts can also indulge in the intriguing 2018 South Korean musical drama Swing Kids, featuring idol DO from EXO. The story is set against the backdrop of the Korean War and revolves around a North Korean soldier who discovers his passion for tap dancing after an encounter with an American officer and former Broadway star.

Moreover, the critically acclaimed fantasy action film “Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days” invites viewers to accompany the three grim reapers on their journey guiding souls through underworld trials. A journey of memories unfolds as the God of the House recovers the grim reapers’ forgotten past.

Adding to the rich assortment is the chilling horror sensation “The Wailing,” a 2016 film that follows a determined police officer’s investigation into a series of baffling killings and illnesses plaguing a secluded village.

Enter the gripping world of the neo-noir thriller “The Man From Nowhere,” the highest-grossing Korean film of 2010. This captivating story revolves around a mysterious man’s violent mission to rescue the only person who truly understands him.

KOCOWA+, a collaborative venture between wavve Americas (wA), and top Korean broadcasters, including KBS, MBC, SBS, and SK Square Americas, has firmly established itself as the leading destination for diverse Korean content since its inception in 2017. Offering real-time programming straight after its Korean broadcast, KOCOWA+ stands as the ultimate platform for fans to indulge in the latest series, acclaimed library titles, and newfound gems that can only be discovered on KOCOWA+.

About wA and KOCOWA+:
wA is a global joint company between wavve, SK Square Americas, and the top Korean broadcasters KBS, MBC, & SBS. wA launched KOCOWA+, a subscription video streaming platform in the Americas, in 2017, with primary audiences in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil. KOCOWA+ provides a robust lineup of over 40,000 hours of Korean Dramas, Movies, Reality, and K-Pop content in multiple languages on its direct platform. For more information, please visit www.kocowa.com.

Korean Content Streamer KOCOWA+ Expands Their Footprint at KCON LA 2023 with a Booth with KOCCA, and as Part of an Activation in KIIS FM’s K-POP VILLAGE at KCON

08/10/2023 by Susan von Seggern

Los Angeles – Korean content streamer KOCOWA+ is teaming up with LA’s #1 hit music station KIIS-FM as part of the first-ever K-POP Village at KCON, on Saturday, August 19. KOCOWA+ and KOCCA – the Korea Creative Content Agency, a South Korean governmental agency that oversees and promotes the advancement of the Korean content industry, will also host a booth at the KCON LA 2023 event at the Crypto.com Arena and Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) from August 18-20, 2023.

Fans can come by the booth to test their K-knowledge of their favorite shows and idols with a game show-like experience to win an assortment of prizes! Afterward, they can grab some popcorn and check out the highly anticipated new show from the “NCT Universe: LASTART” the latest season of “EXO’s Travel The World On A Ladder,” and hot new K-Dramas like “My Dearest” and “My Lovely Boxer.”

The KIIS FM K-POP VILLAGE will occur outside the LACC at the Gilbert Lindsay Plaza, on the corner of Figueroa and 12th Streets. The village is bringing together the worlds of LA’S #1 Hit Music Station, KIIS-FM, and the mega-craze of Korean culture! KOCOWA+ will host a private backstage interview lounge on site. KOCOWA+ and other sponsors will be there, engaging with attendees and handing out exclusive prizes and concert tickets to a few very special winners!

“With Korean content’s mainstream wave in the Western Hemisphere continuing to expand, we are excited to be the only streamer 100% dedicated to Korea’s fresh storytelling and diverse programming,” said wA CEO KunHee Park. “As a niche streaming service with broad reach, KOCOWA+ is competitive in the battle among streaming services by super-serving fans of Korean-produced content. We look forward to meeting our viewers in person, expanding our audience as part of the KIIS-FM activation, and providing all attendees with some fun at KCON LA 2023.”

“Korean content is finding an ever-greater place in the global market and in the hearts of many fans worldwide. We are excited to be back at this year’s KCON with KOCOWA+ to meet and engage with these diehard K-content fans. We will continue to support the Korean content industry so that more audiences worldwide will have a chance to be introduced to and fall in love with the Korean culture and content.” says Sungho Ju, the Director of KOCCA USA.

KCON LA is the world’s No.1 K-Culture festival celebrating Korean culture and music. The event launched in Los Angeles in 2012. It features an entire convention center to explore K-Pop, K-Drama, K-Beauty, K-Food, and beyond through engaging panels, an expo overflowing with innovative products and idol appearances, KCON LA-exclusive programs, and artist engagements giving fans a chance to meet their favorite K-Pop stars—along with star-studded concerts featuring K-Pop legends alongside the hottest rookies in the industry.

KOCOWA+ is a joint company between wavve Americas (wA) and the top three Korean broadcasters, KBS, MBC, SBS, wavve, and SK Square Americas. KOCOWA+’s international service allows customers to access new authentic content from Korea daily via their mix of K-Dramas, K-Pop, K- Reality, and K-Variety, in addition to thousands of hit and highly rated library titles and films.

As the service provider in the Americas with the most extensive library of Korean content, KOCOWA+ has quickly risen as an international platform since 2017. Programming is available in real-time after broadcast airtime in Korea, making KOCOWA+ the preferred destination for fans to watch new series and award-winning library titles or to discover new and exciting Korean content only available on KOCOWA+.

About wA and KOCOWA+:
wA is a global joint company between wavve, SK Square Americas, and the top Korean broadcasters KBS, MBC, & SBS. wA launched KOCOWA+, a subscription video streaming platform in the Americas, in 2017, with primary audiences in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil. KOCOWA+ provides a robust lineup of over 25,000 hours of Korean Dramas, Movies, Reality, and K-Pop content in multi-languages on its direct platform. For more information, please visit www.kocowa.com.

About KOCCA
As the umbrella government agency for South Korea’s content industry, the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) supports creating and maintaining the content industry ecosystem in Korea. KOCCA supports a wide range of creative industries, including game, animation, character licensing, K-pop, fashion, and broadcasting. KOCCA actively supports these industries via production support, marketing, global expansion, talent development, funding support, cultural technology development, and policy research. For more information, please visit: www.kocca.kr/en

PARAPOD FESTIVAL BRINGS CELEBRATION OF ALL THINGS PARANORMAL TO SANTA CLARITA MARCH 31 AND APRIL 1

02/13/2023 by Susan von Seggern

The Weekend’s Events Include Paranormal Podcast Awards, Expert Lectures, Metaphysical Workshops, Native American Dance, Ghost Town Tour, Film Screenings, Stargazing

(February 7, 2023 – Santa Clarita, CA) What is paranormal? According to the Oxford dictionary, the paranormal is defined as events or phenomena beyond the scope of common scientific understanding. It is a broad genre encompassing everything from UFOs and aliens to ghosts and hauntings, Bigfoot and other cryptids to psychics, and spiritual studies to ancient mysteries. Paranormal topics lack a definite demographic, as men and women of all ages across all socioeconomic grids show interest in these strange and unusual subjects.

Parapod Festival is excited to bring a two-day celebration of the paranormal to Santa Clarita on March 31 and April 1, with events at Santa Clarita’s Mentryville Park and the Hyatt Regency Valencia.

A surprisingly vast number of YouTube channels, TikTok and Instagram accounts, and websites are devoted to the paranormal genre. The amount of content available is astounding, from documentaries to web series to podcasts. No one knows this more than festival director Tony Sweet, whose paranormal video podcast Truth Be Told Paranormal has been in the top 5% of podcasts worldwide for the past decade.

“Although paranormal content is abundant with hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of views, we never really see these creators –podcasters, investigators, filmmakers– being honored,” states Sweet. “That is why I wanted to develop a platform where all forms of paranormal content could be celebrated.”

Tony Sweet’s Parapod Festival will take place Friday, March 31, and Saturday, April 1, 2023, in the Santa Clarita Valley, just North of Los Angeles, featuring the one-of-a-kind ParaPod Awards Ceremony to honor podcasters and other paranormal content creators as well as the FilmFreeway Gold film festival for paranormal documentaries.

On Friday the festivities will begin with the daytime film festival screenings of paranormal documentary feature finalists in the Mentryville School House, sponsored by WriterDuet; evening activities include a tour of the haunted Mentryville Mansion with white witch and medium Patti Negri (Ghost Adventures) and spirit circle and star gazing led by Ben Hansen (Fact or Faked Paranormal Files) .

Saturday will be a full day at the Hyatt Regency Valencia in Santa Clarita, featuring expert lectures, workshops, and activities, including Native American ceremonial dance, a seance, meditation, sound bath, breathwork, and shamanism. The vendor marketplace, with crystals, books, tarot cards and other collectibles, is also available for shopping on Saturday. The festival’s ParaPod Awards, celebrating all genres of paranormal podcasts and pioneers in the field of paranormal studies, will close out the event on Saturday evening.

Former Santa Clarita mayor and city council member Marsha McLean will officiate the ribbon-cutting for the grand opening of ParaPod Fest, presenting certificates from the city to all event speakers.

The master of ceremonies for the ParaPod Festival will be Jimmy Church, host of the popular Fade to Black podcast. Best-selling author, research scientist, producer, and entrepreneurial impresario Billy Carson (4biddenknowledge with Billy Carson) will receive the festival’s Pioneer Award, and Emmy and Peabody Award-winning investigative journalist Linda Moulton Howe (Ancient Aliens, Truth Hunter) will be receiving the festival’s Media Legend Award.

Sweet has drawn a roster of internationally recognized paranormal experts for the conference, including ancient Egypt theorist and geologist Dr. Robert M. Schoch (Ancient Aliens), white witch Patti Negri (Ghost Adventures), Ben Hansen (Fact or Faked Paranormal Files), author and great-great-grandson of Hunkpapa Lakota Chief Sitting Bull Ernie Lapointe, celebrity psychic Char Margolis (RuPaul’s Drag Race), Ronny LeBlanc (Expedition Bigfoot), psychic crime solvers Colby Rebel and Jennifer Shaffer, numerologist Glynis McCants, vampire impresario Father Sebastian, documentarian Caroline Corey, author Craig Campobasso, radio host and spiritualist Sheena Metal, breathwork specialist Bryant Wood (The Circle), social media influencers Jason Horton and Rebecca Leib (Ghost Town podcast), and host of Heart Starts Pounding podcast Kaelyn Moore. More details at https://parapodfestival.com/schedule

“My goal is to spotlight the content creators working in the non-fiction paranormal genre,” says Sweet. “It is a dream come true to give awards to podcasters, filmmakers and investigators who continue to move the paranormal genre closer to the mainstream.”

Tickets to ParaPod Festival start at $25 for individual events at Mentryville; Saturday’s General Admission is $35, and the VIP Weekend Pass includes all events on both days for $175. Parking at both locations is free. For more information about the festival and to purchase tickets, please visit www.parapodfestival.com.

Documentary and short films for the film festival awards can be submitted online via FilmFreeway through February 24, 2023. Podcasts can be submitted for the podcast awards via the secure link on the festival website.

Sponsors and Vendor spots are available; contact info@parapodfestival.com

KOCOWA Brings New K-Pop Reality Show from SM STUDIOS “welcome to NCT Universe” Exclusively To The Americas

12/12/2022 by Susan von Seggern

Los Angeles – November 16, 2022 – With the increasing popularity of K-Pop, along with K-Pop fans who are always hungry for new content, the number 1 all-Korean content streamer KOCOWA is excited to announce that, as part of a new content deal, it will be the exclusive provider of SM STUDIOS’ first global show “welcome to the NCT Universe,” in the Americas, with many more to come.

“welcome to NCT Universe” is a 10-episode reality show that debuts globally on November 16. NCT stands for “Neo Culture Technology” and is a worldwide group that recruits members freely, and…there is no limit on the number of members in the group! Currently, there are 23 active members in the NCT main group and its subunits, which include: the Billboard top 10 and platinum-selling NCT 127, teen-oriented and Billboard 21 under 21 named NCT DREAM, and Chinese boy band WayV.

A reality show, the “welcome to NCT Universe” story unfolds when SMROOKIES receive a mysterious invitation that opens the door to a special NEO CITY tour. Starting their NEO CITY exploration with professional guides SHOTARO and SUNGCHAN, viewers can follow SMROOKIES as they embark on their SMTOWN concert journey with NCT and travel with special friends.

Fans who can’t get enough of NCT can watch over eight other shows from SM C&C’s library featuring the group, including newcomers to the platform “NCT LIFE in Gapyeong” (filmed in 2021) that starts streaming on KOCOWA on November 24 and “WayVision 2” on December 28.

In addition to being the premier destination for many K-Pop stars, KOCOWA will be exclusively adding SM C&C-produced library titles and new shows with SM Entertainment artists in the upcoming months.

Yea Jee Lee, the Executive Producer and SM C&C Contents Business Unit Division Director note, “We are very pleased to partner with KOCOWA on the distribution of these shows across North, Central, and South America, as their audience of millions of K-Pop and Korean entertainment lovers truly hits our sweet spot of NCT fans. They’ve already had success with all seasons of NCT LIFE, so we’re excited to see their audience’s response to these new shows.”

KOCOWA CEO KunHee Park added, “As KOCOWA becomes more and more established as the top destination for Korean programming in the Americas, it’s exciting to work with SM Entertainment and SM C&C, such important leaders, to bring the latest in K-Pop TV to our audience. With these new shows, and our large library of K-Pop idols’ reality, behind-the-scenes, and concert shows, we are thrilled to be the streamer with the most content for dedicated K-Pop fans.”

Since its inception in 2017, KOCOWA has provided thousands of hours of fresh and classic K-Pop performances and reality shows featuring all the favorite idols to satisfy every type of fan. Some of the content includes:

Live Performances – KOCOWA streams three weekly live performance events and concert series that showcase the top shows, songs, and bands of that week. The latest K-Pop debuts and highly anticipated comebacks appear on “Music Bank K-Chart,” “Music Bank World Tour,” “Inkigayo,” and “Show! Music Core.” While these shows are new each week, KOCOWA also has a huge catalog of performances and interviews with favorite K-Pop bands for fans to explore.

Behind the Scenes Shows – KOCOWA has shows that take fans behind the scenes with the top K-Pop idols on tour, shows that feature idols as career coaches, plus auditioning, traveling, and more! Now that BTS has committed to serving in the military, their fans might love to enjoy shows like “Rookie King” where BTS offers a deeper dive into the band’s beginnings, interviews, rehearsals, and more in their absence. Other reality titles include EXO’s “Travel the World on a Ladder,” JYP and Psy’s “LOUD,” and more.

Reality Shows – Many of KOCOWA’s shows feature K-Pop fan favorite idols in everyday life, or as guest stars who play games and compete in challenges with a regular cast. Shows like the long-running, international hit “Running Man,” “Home Alone,” “The Manager,” “Idol Sports Athletic Challenge,” and others feature top music celebrities from South Korea like BTS, BlackPink, aespa, and many others.

KOCOWA’s popularity in Latin America is driven by this K-Pop programming, along with K-Dramas subtitled in Spanish. In the US, KOCOWA’s audience is 27% Latino, which is significantly overrepresented than their 19% of the US population.

About SM C&C (SM Culture & Contents)
SM C&C is a media production company that produces a variety of headline-grabbing, profitable high-quality content for local and overseas TV channels and OTT platforms by collaborating with top-tier local celebrities and artists, and strives to be No.1 in the global content business.

About wA and KOCOWA
wA is a joint company between the top three Korean broadcasters – KBS, MBC, SBS, plus SK Telecom. wA launched KOCOWA, a subscription video streaming platform in the Americas, in 2017 with primary audiences in the United States, Canada, Latin America, and Brazil. KOCOWA provides a robust lineup of over 20,000 hours of Korean Dramas, Reality, and K-Pop content in multi-languages on its direct platform. For more information please visit: www.kocowa.com

KOCOWA Announces New Content for December

12/12/2022 by Susan von Seggern

Eagerly Awaited “The Forbidden Marriage,” Beloved Annual Music Festival “Gayo Daejeon,” “aespa’s Synk Road” and Much More!

Los Angeles, CA – KOCOWA, the top all-Korean content streamer, is excited to announce several shows coming to the platform in December. Since KOCOWA is a joint company between Korea’s top three broadcast networks, it airs the shows just hours after they appear in Korea, a must for dedicated K-Drama and K-Pop fans!

The highly anticipated K-Drama “The Forbidden Marriage” will debut on KOCOWA on December 9. The period romance drama is based on screenwriter Chun Ji Hye’s own popular novel and webtoon of the same title. Set in the historical Joseon period, the show follows the story of King Lee Heon, who issued a marriage ban while grief-stricken after the death of his crown princess seven years earlier. Park Ju Hyun, who audiences may recognize from “Extracurricular” and “Zombie Detective,” plays a fearless con artist who claims that she can be possessed by the late crown princess’ spirit. This epic drama will air on Fridays and Saturdays and stars Kim Young Dae, who appeared in fan favorites like “Extraordinary You,” “The Penthouse,” and most recently, “Shooting Stars” and Kim Woo-Seok from “Rookie Cop” and “Voice” seasons 2-4.

On December 24th SBS’s Gayo Daejeon will stream just in time to help celebrate a K-POP Christmas! SHINee’s Key, ASTRO’s Cha Eun Woo, and IVE’s An Yu Jin will host this Idol-studded show. The confirmed lineup for performances includes KOCOWA K-POP reality show stars like aespa, NCT 127, NCT Dream and other fan favorites like Stray Kids, (G)I-DLE, ATEEZ, ITZY, TXT, aespa, ENHYPEN, IVE, NMIXX, LE SSERAFIM, and NewJeans. This show is sure to get every K-POP fan’s holiday off to an exciting start!

Debuting on December 28, “aespa’s Synk Road” adds even more K-POP content to the over 9,100 hours currently available on KOCOWA. aespa, a fourth-generation K-POP girl group, stars in their first reality travel show. Their first destinations on the Synk Road are Gangwon’s East Sea, a popular beach destination, and the mountainous site of the 2018 Winter Olympics, Pyeongchang. Throughout the trip, the band members go on various missions where they must earn or find hidden ae-key cards to complete the Synk Road as they enjoy their trip. Can aespa successfully complete the first Synk Road and open the door to the next Synk Road?

aespa consists of four members: Karina, Giselle, Winter, and Ningning. They debuted on November 17, 2020, with the hit single “Black Mamba.” The group has really blown up this year, including a performance at Coachella, inclusions in Time magazine’s Next Generation Leaders list, and on Forbes’ 30 Under 30. They also signed with Warner Records, and they spoke and performed at the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2022.

Other new shows launching in December include two new K-Dramas, and new reality shows featuring K-POP Idols, and six awards shows celebrating the best entertainment of 2022:

More K-Dramas:
“Recipe for Farewell,” launched December 1st, is about a family whose sweet working mom finds herself unable to eat while suffering from cancer. Her husband, who has never cooked before, begins cooking to take care of her health and the family’s meals. He handpicks the ingredients and tries to develop healthy recipes to make each meal precious and healing. Although he may be clumsy, he begins to realize how he treasures the time spent cooking and having meals together with his family.

“Red Balloon,” premieres on December 17th. Seo Ji Hye from the hit “Crash Landing On You,” stars alongside Lee Sung Jae, Hong Soo Hyun, and Lee Sang Woo in a story about four people trying to quench their desires and apprise their heartbreaks in this slice-of-life dramedy.

More Reality Shows featuring K-Pop Idols:
On the 11th, “Adventure By Accident,” a reality show, features Kian84 and Lee Si Eon from the popular reality series “Home Alone” as they travel around South America. This has been called “a travel show like never seen before!”

“K-Idol Goods Tour Paradaro” debuts December 22nd. This show features WEi and fromis_9, two of the most popular idol groups in Korea, as they go on a trip for two days and a night to sell specific goods. In each episode, they play hilarious games or are forced to barter with the production crew to get items essential for survival, selling, and enjoying this exciting and fun-filled trip.

More Year-end/Awards Shows:
“KBS Song Festival” kicks off the year-end award shows on December 16th. This show will be hosted by comedian Kim Shin Young, “Music Bank MC” host Jang Won Yeong, and “2 Days and One Night” star Na In Woo. The show celebrates the musical hits of the year and features favorite songs, performances, and pop-culture moments, and it is known to consistently deliver an experience that is beyond fans’ wildest imaginations!

“SBS Entertainment Awards” streams December 17th, and will be hosted by the 2021’s winner of “Variety Entertainer of the Year” Tak Jae Hoon. This awards show celebrates and recognizes the stars and the variety shows they are on. Always entertaining with lots of appearances from fan favorites from the year’s top shows!

“MBC Entertainment Awards” debuts December 29th – A recap of all of the trending moments in entertainment that defined the year featuring fans’ favorite moments, idol appearances, and lots of fun! It will be hosted by Jeon Hyun Moo from “Home Alone,” and “Idol Track and Field Championships,” Lee Yi Kyung, who has become popular on “How Do You Play?” and singer, actress, and entrepreneur Kang Min Kyung.

“MBC Music Festival” debuts December 31 – This will be hosted again by three popular hosts – Lee Jun Ho (singer, songwriter, dancer, and actor,) Yoona (part of the hit band Girl’s Generation and an actress considered as one of the top Idol-actresses today,) and Jang Seong Gyu (a popular host and personality). This show is a celebration of all things K-POP.

Finally, the “MBC Drama Awards” debut on December 30thst – Top South Korean TV host Kim Seong Joo will be the sole MC for the third consecutive year. From dramas with various genres and characters, such as “Tracer,” “Witch’s Game,” and “FanLetter, Please,” which were greatly loved on MBC in 2022, to “The Forbidden Marriage,” the most anticipated show at the end of the year, all the dramas that made viewers stop everything they were doing to watch in 2022 will be celebrated and awarded. Who will be the main character to take the glory in 2022?

About wA and KOCOWA
wA is a joint company between the top three Korean broadcasters – KBS, MBC, SBS, plus SK Telecom. wA launched KOCOWA, a subscription video streaming platform in the Americas in 2017, with primary audiences in the United States, Canada, and Brazil. KOCOWA provides a robust lineup of over 25,000 hours of Korean Dramas, Reality, and K-POP content in multi-languages on its direct platform. For more information, please visit: www.kocowa.com

Korean Content Streamer KOCOWA Celebrates Their 5th Anniversary by Releasing Five of the Top Korean TV Shows Available Exclusively on KOCOWA

08/09/2022 by Susan von Seggern

Los Angeles, CA – The number one 100% Korean content streamer KOCOWA is excited to celebrate its 5th Anniversary this summer by offering its dedicated audience of K-culture fans five popular Korean TV shows exclusively on the KOCOWA app and on their channel on select partners such as Prime Video, Roku and Comcast.

In addition to KOCOWA Exclusives hits like It’s Beautiful Now and Tracer, the five new exclusive shows are Merry Queer, the very first Korean LGBTQ+ reality dating show; Boar Hunt, a new drama about all of the secrets brought to light as a mountain village searches for a missing child; No, Thank You, a show about a new wife learning to deal with her traditional in-laws; High Kick!, a beloved ensemble sitcom in a vein similar to Modern Family; and Dopojarak: Story of Homme the K-Wanderer, that features huge stars like Kim Jong Kook from Running Man, Noh Sang Hyun from Pachinko, Ji Hyun Woo from the recent hit Young Lady and Gentleman, Joo Woo Jae from Love Naggers, and Olympian Hwang Dae Heon, as they travel around the world introducing people to all things Korean.

KOCOWA has been on a fantastic trajectory since its 2017 launch with 40% YOY growth. In addition to the app and device partners Apple, Google, Roku, Samsung, LG Smart TVs, etc., KOCOWA has also set up B2B deals with a number of partners including MVPDs Comcast Xfinity X1, Flex + Cox Communications, The Roku Channel, Amazon Prime Video, OnDemandKorea, among others, with more to come.

In addition to having a solid presence in North America with English and Spanish subtitled content KOCOWA is also available in Central and South America, and in Brazil with Portuguese subtitles. KOCOWA is also responding to its large Spanish-speaking fan base by doubling the amount of its hit shows now available with Spanish subtitled content.

CEO of waave Americas, the parent company of KOCOWA, KunHee Park notes, “leading the wave of Korean content going global has been exceptionally gratifying these past five years. Being able to bring a diverse array of content to our audiences is very important to us. Seeing the ever-increasing subscriber base for KOCOWA, along with other Korean global hits, and pop stars like BTS, show the world is very interested in Korean content. We are excited to bring some of the best and most diverse Korean TV to a global audience as we continue to expand to new territories and offer programming subtitled in more languages.”

Truly the ultimate destination for Korean entertainment, on KOCOWA customers can watch select shows on the same day they air in Korea, like their favorite idols on music chart shows, and dig into thousands of high-quality library titles. Discovery is easy, as audiences can immerse themselves in award-winning relatable comedies and dramas, and hilarious reality competitions. For fans of K-pop, there are more than enough idols’ moments to binge on.

KOCOWA makes Korean TV accessible to new viewers by showcasing the Top 10 current series, featuring an impressive lineup of addictive hits, including It’s Beautiful Now, Weightlifting Fairy, Kim Bok-joo, The Penthouse, Hwrang: Warrior Poet Youth, and long-time fan favorites like Running Man and Home Alone. BTS recently performed their latest single live on the popular Korean show Music Bank K-Chart, and fans worldwide were able to see it via the KOCOWA app.

As the service provider in the Americas with the largest library of Korean content, KOCOWA has quickly risen as an international platform since 2017. KOCOWA’s millions of viewers are diverse, with 90% of viewers of non-Korean ancestry, in the prime under 44 age demographic, and female. Programming is available in real-time after broadcast airtime in Korea, making KOCOWA the preferred destination for fans to watch new series, and award-winning library titles, or to discover new and exciting Korean content available only on KOCOWA.

About wA and KOCOWA
wA is a joint company between the top three Korean broadcasters – KBS, MBC, SBS, plus SK Telecom. wA launched KOCOWA, a subscription video streaming platform in the Americas in 2017, with primary audiences in the United States, Canada, and Brazil. KOCOWA provides a robust lineup of over 25,000 hours of Korean Dramas, Reality, and K-Pop content in multi-languages on its direct platform. For more information please visit: www.kocowa.com.

Korean Content Streamer KOCOWA and The Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) to Host an immersive K-Drama and Running Man Booth at KCON Los Angeles on August 19-21, 2022

08/09/2022 by Susan von Seggern

KCon Collage of images Los Angeles – Korean content streamer KOCOWA and The Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), a South Korean governmental agency that oversees and promotes the advancement of the Korean content industry, are teaming up to host a booth themed around fan favorite K-Dramas and the top-rated and long-running Korean TV show, Running Man, at the 10th Anniversary KCON LA 2022 event taking place at the Los Angeles Convention Center from August 19-21, 2022.

KOCOWA is a joint company between wavve Americas (wA), and the top three Korean broadcasters KBS, MBC, and SBS, along with SK Telecom. KOCOWA’s international service allows customers to access new authentic content from Korea daily via their mix of K-Dramas, K-Pop, K- Reality, and K-Variety, in addition to thousands of hit and highly rated library titles.

“With Korean content’s mainstream wave in the Western Hemisphere breaking recently, we are excited to be the only streamer 100% dedicated to Korea’s fresh storytelling and diverse programming,” said wA CEO KunHee Park. “As a niche streaming service with broad reach, KOCOWA is well-positioned to be competitive in the battle among streaming services by super-serving fans of Korean-produced content. We are looking forward to meeting our viewers in person and providing them some fun at KCON LA 2022.”

“The love and demand for Korean content is by no means secret but has become a global sensation with record-breaking content and K-Pop artists such as Squid Game and Parasite, to BTS and Blackpink,” says Sung Ho Ju, the director of KOCCA USA. “KOCCA is excited to be part of this year’s KCON LA 2022. We look forward to meeting and celebrating all things Korean with Hallyu fans at the event. We will continue to support the Korean content industry so that more audiences around the world will have a chance to fall in love and to engage with Korean culture and content.”

KCON LA 2022 is the world’s largest fan celebration of Korean culture and music. The event launched in Los Angeles in 2012. It features an entire convention center to explore K-Pop, K-Drama, K-Beauty, K-Food, and beyond through engaging panels, an expo overflowing with innovative products and idol appearances, KCON LA 2022-exclusive programs, and artist engagements giving fans a chance to meet their favorite K-Pop stars—along with star-studded “M COUNTDOWN” concerts featuring K-Pop legends alongside the hottest rookies in the industry.

Running Man is a reality-variety show that stars Yu Jae Seok, Kim Jong Kook, Haha, Jee Seok Jin, Song Ji Hyo, Lee Kwang Soo, Jeon So Min, and Yang Se Chan. In each episode, they must complete missions at various places to win the race. Each mission is action-packed and hilarious as each member tries to beat the others using their wits and skills. Each week is filled with fun that includes trust and betrayal, knowledge and skills, physical strength and outrageous penalties. Sometimes, they work as a team and cooperate for one common goal. Other times, they betray each other throughout the race in order to win all the honor and glory for themselves. Viewers can be brought to tears each week from laughing at their silly antics!

With its global success, Running Man has welcomed appearances from Hollywood actors like Jackie Chan (episode 135), Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Henry Cavill (episode 410), Ryan Reynolds (episode 482), and K-pop stars, including BTS. All seasons of Running Man are available to view on KOCOWA. The show has also made its stars Yoo Jae Suk, Haha, Jee Seok Jin, Kim Jong Kook, Song Ji Hyo, Jeon So Min, and Yang Se Chan into globally recognized stars as well.

At the KOCOWA x KOCCA booth, fans will be able to play games from the show and insert themselves into their favorite K-Dramas and pose with beloved characters selected by the fans themselves. They will also be giving away collectible dolls and items from their hottest shows signed by the stars. Between KOCCA and KOCOWA, stars and idols have been known to stop by the booth for photos, so KCON LA 2022 attendees should check the booth often to see who they might meet!

As the service provider in the Americas with the largest library of Korean content, KOCOWA has quickly risen as an international platform since 2017. Programming is available in real-time after broadcast airtime in Korean, making KOCOWA the preferred destination for fans to watch new series and award-winning library titles or to discover new and exciting Korean content only available on KOCOWA.

About wA and KOCOWA
wA is a joint company between the top three Korean broadcasters – KBS, MBC, SBS, plus SK Telecom. wA launched KOCOWA, a subscription video streaming platform in the Americas, in 2017, with primary audiences in the United States, Canada, and Brazil. KOCOWA provides a robust lineup of over 17,000 hours of Korean Dramas, Reality, and K-Pop content in several languages on its direct platform. For more information, please visit: www.kocowa.com

About KOCCA
As the umbrella government agency for South Korea’s content industry, the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) supports creating and maintaining the content industry ecosystem in Korea. KOCCA supports a wide range of creative industries, including game, animation, character licensing, K-Pop, fashion, and broadcasting. KOCCA actively supports these industries via production support, marketing, global expansion, talent development, funding support, cultural technology development, and policy research. For more information, please visit: www.kocca.kr/en.