The Busan Story Market unveiled 31 projects for this year’s edition, with IPs spanning South Korea, Taiwan and Japan.
Running as part of the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) from September 20 to 23 this year alongside the Busan International Film Festival, the Busan Story Market focuses on IP with strong potential for screen adaptation.
This year’s Busan Story Market will feature 19 original IPs from Korea, including 11 books, four webtoons, two web novels, and two stories, from a total of 184 submissions by 97 companies.
Organizers highlighted that this year’s Korean selection includes nine companies with projects selected for the first time, as well as several IPs exploring “artificial intelligence as a central narrative device.”
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Last year’s ACFM saw over 26,000 attendees over four days (20,586 visitors and 5,849 event participants), marking an increase 37.2% compared to the 2023 event. There were 1,031 companies at the market across 52 countries.
There are six projects from Japan this year, including a TV drama IP set for a film adaptation or remake — the first time a TV drama has been included in the country’s lineup at the Busan Story Market.
The TV drama project looking for adaptation is 2024 crime drama 30,000,000 Yen from local broadcaster NHK.
Japanese companies with IPs selected for the market include Kadokawa, Kodansha and Tokuma Shoten Publishing.
Japan’s lineup at the Busan Story Market is supported through the country’s Visual Industry Promotion Organization (VIPO).
The market will also have six Taiwanese IPs, supported by the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA). The selection includes three books, two web novels, and one comic.