South Korea's content industry posted record-breaking performance in 2024, with sales surpassing 157 trillion won and exports exceeding $14 billion. However, the year-over-year growth rate of just 2.1% has intensified calls for new growth engines.
According to the "2025 Content Industry Survey (2024 data)" released by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on the 27th, total domestic content industry sales reached 157.4 trillion won in 2024, up 2.1% from 154.2 trillion won in 2023.
Growth rates had surged to 7.2% in 2021 and 9.9% in 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic boom, before falling to 2.1% in 2023 as industry conditions normalized. The rate remained at similar levels in 2024.
By sector, broadcasting and video led with 24.99 trillion won (15.9% of total), followed by knowledge information (24.7 trillion won, 15.7%), publishing (24.22 trillion won, 15.4%), and gaming (23.85 trillion won, 15.2%).
Content exports reached a record $14.08 billion in 2024, up 5.5% year-over-year. Imports totaled just $915.6 million, resulting in a trade surplus of $13.16 billion. All 11 surveyed industry sectors recorded export surpluses, demonstrating K-content's broad international competitiveness.
The gaming industry drove export growth, accounting for 60.4% of total exports at $8.5 billion. Music followed with $1.8 billion (12.8%), and broadcasting and video contributed $1.26 billion.
The number of content businesses rose 2.4% to 120,875, while employment grew 3.4% to 688,121 workers, indicating stable job creation.
The survey covered 11 content industry sectors including publishing, comics, music, film, gaming, animation, broadcasting, advertising, characters, knowledge information, and content solutions.
"The growth in sales and exports despite difficult external economic conditions once again proves the strength and competitiveness of K-content," said Lim Sung-hwan, Director of Cultural Industry Policy at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.