South Korea’s media industry is shifting faster than many headlines suggest, with 2025 figures showing how streaming growth is reshaping what audiences pay for and platforms prioritize. At the same time, traditional broadcasting and advertising are facing a noticeably different pressure point, reflected in the latest spending and viewership stats. The gap between those two realities is big enough to raise a practical question for anyone tracking Korea’s content economy.
Key Takeaways
- Advertising market total spend in South Korea was 8.7 trillion KRW in 2023, with digital overtaking TV at 52% share
- In 2023, South Korea's broadcasting industry revenue reached 15.8 trillion KRW, marking a 4.2% year-on-year growth driven by advertising recovery post-COVID
- Digital Media and Streaming market size in South Korea was 7.5 trillion KRW in 2023, growing 12% YoY
- South Korea film industry box office revenue hit 1.48 trillion KRW in 2023, recovering 96% from pre-pandemic levels
- Music industry revenue in South Korea totaled 9.1 trillion KRW in 2023, up 10.5% driven by streaming and K-pop exports
South Korea’s media industry is expanding rapidly as viewership and digital revenue continue to rise.
Related reading
01 · Category
Advertising & Publishing24 stats
01
Advertising market total spend in South Korea was 8.7 trillion KRW in 2023, with digital overtaking TV at 52% share
02
Newspaper circulation totaled 18.5 million copies daily in 2023, down 3.2% YoY
03
Magazine publishing revenue fell to 0.28 trillion KRW in 2023 amid digital shift
04
Digital ad spend on search engines like Naver was 2.8 trillion KRW 2023
05
OOH advertising grew 7% to 0.65 trillion KRW with digital billboards
06
Chosun Ilbo daily print run averaged 1.2 million copies in 2023
07
Programmatic ad buying share reached 45% of digital ads in 2023
08
Book publishing market valued at 4.6 trillion KRW in 2023, e-books 25%
09
Social media ad spend hit 1.9 trillion KRW led by Instagram/KakaoTalk 2023
10
JoongAng Ilbo circulation 0.85 million daily 2023
11
CTV connected TV ad impressions 120 billion in 2023
12
Comic book (manhwa) publishing revenue 1.1 trillion KRW digital dominant 2023
13
Influencer marketing spend 0.42 trillion KRW in 2023
14
DongA Ilbo subscribers 0.72 million print+digital 2023
15
Native advertising revenue grew 18% to 0.35 trillion KRW 2023
16
Audiobook market expanded to 0.15 trillion KRW sales 2023
17
Retail media networks ad spend 0.55 trillion KRW via Coupang/Naver 2023
18
Hankyoreh newspaper digital subs 0.4 million 2023
19
Print ad revenue declined 12% to 1.2 trillion KRW industry-wide 2023
20
DOOH screens numbered 28,000 nationwide end-2023
21
Webtoon platform ad revenue 0.68 trillion KRW in 2023 Naver/Webtoon
22
Kyunghyang Shinmun circulation 0.35 million 2023
23
Affiliate marketing deals totaled 50,000 campaigns worth 0.18 trillion KRW 2023
24
E-paper adoption 15% of newspaper readers daily 2023
Interpretation
Advertising & Publishing Interpretation
While digital ad spend now cheerfully dominates the screen with a 52% share, the newspaper industry is quietly folding its print editions like a slowly closing paper fan, and even books are getting a digital makeover as e-books carve out a quarter of the market, proving that in South Korea’s media landscape, the future is being streamed, scrolled, and programmatically bought, not turned like a page.
02 · Category
Broadcasting30 stats
01
In 2023, South Korea's broadcasting industry revenue reached 15.8 trillion KRW, marking a 4.2% year-on-year growth driven by advertising recovery post-COVID
02
Terrestrial TV households in South Korea numbered 19.2 million in 2022, representing 85.7% penetration rate among total households
03
KBS recorded 12.5% audience share in prime time slots during 2023, leading public broadcasters with flagship dramas like 'Moving'
04
Cable TV subscribers in South Korea stood at 14.3 million in Q4 2023, down 2.1% YoY due to cord-cutting trends
05
IPTV market share reached 62% of pay TV subscribers in 2023, with KT's IPTV service leading at 8.9 million users
06
Radio listenership in South Korea averaged 78 minutes per day per listener in 2022, with MBC dominating FM bands
07
Public broadcaster budget for KBS in 2023 was 6.1 trillion KRW, funded 85% by license fees
08
Digital terrestrial TV transition completed in 2013 covered 99.9% of population by 2023 standards
09
SBS median prime time rating hit 9.8% in 2023, boosted by reality shows like 'Running Man'
10
Pay TV ARPU in South Korea averaged 28,500 KRW monthly in 2023, up 3.5% from prior year
11
MBC audience share for news programs reached 22.4% in 2023 evenings
12
Number of broadcast channels in South Korea totaled 1,247 in 2022, including 48 terrestrial
13
TV advertising spend in broadcasting sector was 4.2 trillion KRW in 2023, 72% of total ad market
14
JTBC news viewership grew 15% YoY to average 5.2% rating in 2023
15
Radio advertising revenue declined 5.3% to 0.45 trillion KRW in 2023 amid digital shift
16
EBS educational broadcasting reached 95% school penetration with 12 million monthly viewers in 2023
17
OTT integration in IPTV bundles covered 45% of subscribers by end-2023
18
Prime time drama ratings peaked at 18.7% for 'Queen of Tears' on tvN in 2024 Q1
19
Local broadcast exports via platforms hit 1.2 trillion KRW in 2023
20
TV content production costs averaged 2.5 billion KRW per drama episode in 2023 big 3 networks
21
Number of variety shows broadcast weekly exceeded 150 in 2023 across major networks
22
Digital radio adoption rate was 12% among listeners in urban areas by 2023
23
MBC FM4U listenership averaged 1.2 million daily in 2023 Seoul metro
24
TV news production hours totaled 45,000 annually across networks in 2023
25
Pay broadcast channel growth was 1.8% to 518 channels in 2023
26
Household TV ownership rate was 98.2% in South Korea 2023 survey
27
Late-night comedy shows averaged 4.1% ratings on KBS in 2023
28
Regional broadcasting stations numbered 10 nationwide with 85% coverage in 2023
29
Interactive TV features adopted by 22% IPTV users for voting in shows 2023
30
Annual TV drama production reached 420 episodes across networks in 2023
Interpretation
Broadcasting Interpretation
Despite cord-cutters' best efforts, South Korea's broadcasting industry remains stubbornly healthy, proving that whether you watch via terrestrial, cable, IPTV, or a bundled OTT service, the nation's love for a good drama, a reliable news bulletin, and the endless chatter of FM radio is a multi-trillion won habit that refuses to be kicked.
03 · Category
Digital Media27 stats
01
Digital Media and Streaming market size in South Korea was 7.5 trillion KRW in 2023, growing 12% YoY
02
Netflix paid subscribers in South Korea reached 4.2 million in Q4 2023
03
Disney+ launched with 1.9 million subscribers within first year by end-2023
04
Wavve platform users averaged 8.5 million MAU in 2023, owned by terrestrial nets
05
Online video ad spend surged 22% to 2.1 trillion KRW in 2023
06
Tving SVOD subscribers hit 6.3 million in 2023 merger with Seezn
07
Short-form video app usage averaged 95 minutes daily per user in 2023
08
Kakao TV content views totaled 15 billion in 2023
09
Gaming streaming via Twitch and AfreecaTV averaged 2.5 million concurrent viewers peak 2023
10
Podcast listeners numbered 12 million monthly in South Korea 2023
11
Naver TV series uploads reached 5,200 titles by 2023
12
Social media video consumption 75% of total internet traffic in 2023
13
YouTube premium subscribers in Korea 2.8 million end-2023
14
AVOD revenue from ads on platforms like Coupang Play 0.45 trillion KRW 2023
15
User-generated content platforms had 45 million registered creators in 2023
16
5G video streaming adoption 68% among smartphone users 2023
17
Watcha OTT ARPU averaged 12,500 KRW monthly in 2023
18
Live commerce video sales hit 40 trillion KRW platform-wide 2023
19
Esports streaming viewership averaged 1.2 million per major tournament 2023
20
VR/AR media content investments totaled 150 billion KRW in 2023
21
TikTok (Shake) users in Korea 18 million MAU end-2023
22
IP-based content streaming exports 0.9 trillion KRW 2023
23
Mobile video data usage per capita 18 GB monthly 2023
24
Multi-channel networks (MCNs) numbered 1,200 with 50 million subs 2023
25
8K video streaming pilots covered 15% households by 2023
26
News portal video clips views 30 billion annually 2023
27
Adult SVOD platforms revenue 0.22 trillion KRW niche market 2023
Interpretation
Digital Media Interpretation
South Korea’s media ecosystem has become a fiercely competitive digital coliseum where streaming giants, local platforms, and a legion of creators are all furiously vying for the eyes, ears, and wallets of a population that now breathes in gigabytes and exhales content.
More related reading
04 · Category
Film28 stats
01
South Korea film industry box office revenue hit 1.48 trillion KRW in 2023, recovering 96% from pre-pandemic levels
02
Number of Korean films released commercially was 1,120 in 2023, up 18% YoY
03
'Exhuma' became highest-grossing Korean film with 14.6 million admissions in 2024 Q1
04
Film export value reached 124.5 billion USD in 2023, led by 'Parasite' legacy deals
05
Average production budget for big-budget Korean films was 12.3 billion KRW in 2023
06
Cinema screen count in South Korea totaled 2,232 in 2023, with multiplexes at 95%
07
Market share of Korean films at domestic box office was 56.3% in 2023
08
CJ ENM's film division revenue was 0.8 trillion KRW in 2023 from hits like 'Hunt'
09
Festival awards: Korean films won 42 international prizes in 2023, including Cannes
10
4DX screen installations reached 102 in South Korea by 2023, global leader per capita
11
Independent film funding from KOFIC totaled 45 billion KRW grants in 2023
12
Average ticket price for cinema was 13,200 KRW in 2023, up 4.8% YoY
13
Hollywood film imports earned 0.72 trillion KRW at Korean box office 2023
14
Film VOD revenue share grew to 28% of total film income in 2023
15
Number of film production companies registered 1,450 in 2023
16
Women directors helmed 22% of Korean feature films released in 2023
17
IMAX screens numbered 58 in South Korea end-2023
18
Documentary films saw 15% audience growth to 2.1 million admissions 2023
19
Overseas shooting locations for Korean films increased 25% to 180 sites in 2023
20
Film theater attendance per capita was 1.92 visits in 2023
21
LOTTE Cinema chain operated 120 branches with 1,100 screens in 2023
22
Animation films contributed 8.4% box office share with 'SEO Bok' series
23
Government subsidy for film industry was 320 billion KRW in 2023 budget
24
3D film releases accounted for 12% of total Korean films in 2023
25
Film distribution companies numbered 320 active in 2023 market
26
Horror genre films grossed 180 billion KRW in 2023 domestically
27
Overseas Korean film festivals hosted by KOFIC reached 25 events in 2023
28
Average film runtime for Korean releases was 112 minutes in 2023
Interpretation
Film Interpretation
While Korean cinema, having almost fully recovered its box office swagger and continuing to bleed into global consciousness (with even documentaries finding their crowd), is now a highly-exportable, popcorn-fuelled industrial complex where multiplexes rule and budgets balloon, it still thoughtfully reserves a grant-funded corner for independents and, albeit slowly, more seats at the director's chair.
05 · Category
Music25 stats
01
Music industry revenue in South Korea totaled 9.1 trillion KRW in 2023, up 10.5% driven by streaming and K-pop exports
02
Streaming accounted for 82.4% of total music revenue in South Korea 2023
03
Melon platform had 15.2 million paid subscribers in Q4 2023
04
K-pop album sales reached 47.8 million units in 2023 globally, led by BTS and NewJeans
05
Physical sales revenue grew 28% to 1.15 trillion KRW in 2023 due to collector editions
06
Number of K-pop groups debuting annually was 52 in 2023
07
HYBE Corporation revenue from music was 2.2 trillion KRW in 2023
08
Spotify monthly active users in South Korea hit 12.5 million in 2023
09
Concert ticket sales generated 0.95 trillion KRW in 2023 post-pandemic boom
10
Export value of Korean music content was 0.28 trillion KRW in 2023
11
YouTube music video views from Korea totaled 120 billion in 2023
12
Number of music labels active was 450 in 2023, with SM Entertainment leading
13
Sync licensing deals for K-pop in ads/TV reached 150 in 2023, revenue 50 billion KRW
14
Genie Music subscribers numbered 6.8 million in 2023
15
Classical music segment grew 5% to 0.12 trillion KRW revenue 2023
16
K-pop idol average monthly streaming royalties per artist topped 100 million KRW for top 10
17
Vinyl record sales surged 45% to 20,000 units monthly average 2023
18
Music publishing revenue was 0.32 trillion KRW in 2023, up 8%
19
Overseas K-pop concert tours by top acts grossed 1.1 billion USD in 2023
20
Flo music app users reached 7.1 million MAU in 2023
21
Indie music market share hit 15% of streaming charts in 2023
22
Performance rights royalties collected 180 billion KRW by KOMCA in 2023
23
Number of music awards shows was 12 major events in 2023
24
Trot music revival added 0.15 trillion KRW to revenue in 2023
25
Blockchain NFT music sales experimental revenue 5 billion KRW in 2023
Interpretation
Music Interpretation
South Korea's music industry, now a global economic engine, has masterfully pirouetted from physical album collectors and packed stadiums to a dominant streaming realm, proving that while the world listens online, it still passionately buys, watches, and celebrates in person.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Diana Reeves. (2026, February 13). South Korea Media Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/south-korea-media-industry-statistics
MLA
Diana Reeves. "South Korea Media Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/south-korea-media-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Diana Reeves. 2026. "South Korea Media Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/south-korea-media-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
55 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level