SBS International Expands Its Korean Content Offering for the Spanish-Speaking Market

Korean distributor SBS International presented a robust offering focused on the Spanish-speaking market during LA Screenings. Led by Emily Nham, Executive Director of Business Development, and Julia Hur, the company’s coordinator, SBS International is standing out through its transition to direct distribution and a catalog that now includes more than 20 productions dubbed into Spanish.

“Our strategy began with a historic agreement by our CEO to distribute content across the Americas. Since then, we have dubbed one title per year, and we currently have 22 titles dubbed into Spanish, totaling more than 600 hours,” explained Hur. This offering is primarily aimed at Latin American buyers seeking finished content for free-to-air television.

LEGAL DRAMA AND SUPERNATURAL ELEMENTS

The company’s flagship title for this market is Phantom Lawyer. The 16-episode series blends multiple genres to offer viewers a fresh perspective.

“Phantom Lawyer mixes a very broad range of genres, but specifically focuses on legal drama combined with supernatural elements. It’s like an occult mystery with touches of romance and a sharp sense of comedy,” Hur detailed.

The story follows a timid lawyer who opens his office in the former home of a shaman in order to represent spirits with unfinished business. According to the executive, Korean creativity lies in combining traditional Eastern and spiritual values with proven genres such as legal procedurals.

“Adding that twist to an established legal genre brings a fresh perspective; that’s why this creativity resonates with audiences as something new,” she added.

PARTNERSHIPS AND FORMAT DISTRIBUTION

SBS International also presented its latest dubbed title, Anímate (known internationally as Cheer Up). In addition, the company reaffirmed its role as the U.S. representative for Arirang TV. This collaboration allows SBS to manage the government-backed Korean network’s programming and content sales in the United States.

“SBS International represents Arirang TV in the U.S. We are in charge of its programming and content sales in the country. That’s why we brought their titles, which we are primarily offering to AVOD platforms,” concluded Nham.

After ending its previous relationship with MGE, the company is now firmly committed to a direct distribution model aimed at strengthening ties with buyers throughout the region.