Turkish remakes of Korean TV dramas

Abstract

In the complex sphere of global television dramas, South Korea has emerged as a regional force in the last few decades, followed by Turkey in the 2000s. Turkish TV dramas are sold to over 140 countries throughout the world, demanding a constant supply of new content, met in part by remakes. While Korean productions receive limited distribution in Turkey, a significant number of these have been remade by Turkish companies. Since 2013, Korean dramas have replaced Hollywood series as the primary source of adaptations for Turkish dramas. There appear to be shared sensibilities that make the Korean stories palatable to Turkish audiences, but more significantly, certain production practices make Korean sources a more viable choice than Hollywood series for Turkish producers. This article explores these sensibilities from an industrial point of view, employing testimonies from leading industry informants who have been instrumental in introducing Korean source material to Turkish television.