Busan Story Market Selects 25 IPs, Including Hwang Bo-reum, Lee Geum-yi

The Busan Story Market (BSM) has announced its 25 official selections for 2026, a curated list of original intellectual property (IP) that will be presented to global content creators and investors. This year's selection includes works from prominent authors such as Hwang Bo-reum, known for her international bestseller, and Lee Geum-yi, a two-time finalist for the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award. The selected IPs originate from four distinct Asian countries, highlighting the diverse storytelling landscape across the continent. The Busan Story Market is an integral component of the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM), which itself serves as the official marketplace for the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). The BSM aims to foster the development and global distribution of original stories by connecting IP creators with potential producers, publishers, and investors in film, television, webtoons, and other media formats. The selection process for the 2026 BSM involved rigorous evaluation of submitted projects, focusing on their narrative strength, marketability, and potential for adaptation across various platforms. By bringing together a diverse range of genres and themes, the BSM seeks to identify the next wave of globally appealing content. The inclusion of established authors like Hwang Bo-reum and Lee Geum-yi underscores the market's commitment to showcasing high-quality literary works with strong adaptation potential. Hwang Bo-reum's previous success with her novel, which resonated with international audiences, suggests a strong appetite for her new IP. Similarly, Lee Geum-yi's multiple nominations for the Hans Christian Andersen Award indicate a proven track record of exceptional storytelling. The participation of IP from four Asian countries—which typically include South Korea, Japan, China, and Southeast Asian nations, though specific countries for 2026 were not detailed in the announcement—emphasizes the BSM's role in promoting cross-cultural content exchange and collaboration. The ACFM, as the broader market, facilitates business dealings and networking opportunities for professionals within the Asian film and television industries, with the BSM serving as a specialized platform for IP discovery. This initiative by BIFF and ACFM is crucial for nurturing new creative talent and ensuring that original stories find their way to global audiences through various media adaptations. The 25 selected IPs will be showcased through pitching sessions, exhibition booths, and networking events during the ACFM, providing creators with direct access to industry professionals seeking compelling new content. The market's focus on original IP is a strategic move to tap into the growing demand for fresh narratives in the global entertainment industry, which increasingly relies on unique source material for film, series, and other digital content. The BSM's continued growth and its ability to attract high-caliber participants like Hwang Bo-reum and Lee Geum-yi signal its increasing importance as a key platform for IP development and international co-production within Asia.