[EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW] Carol Choi, Executive The Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific, Discusses 'TEMPEST'

Kapanlagi.com - The drama TEMPEST is currently a hot topic thanks to its intense storyline and the stunning performances of its cast. In this exclusive interview, Carol Choi, Executive Vice President, Original Content Strategy, The Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific invites us to explore the drama starring Jun Ji Hyun.

Carol Choi invites us to learn about the creative process, production decisions, and strategies behind the success of Tempest. They share how the initial vision for the project was formed, the challenges during development, and the values they want to convey to the audience.

1. Q: As a big-budget spy thriller film featuring a leading star from Korea and renowned supporting actors from America, how does Tempest reflect the range of international content and the identity of Disney+?

Carol Choi: Tempest is our flagship Original series this year, continuing the lineup of Korean titles on Disney+, including Hyper Knife, Nine Puzzles, and Low Life, all of which have achieved top positions in Korea and various countries in the Asia Pacific. This series represents our creative ambition to deliver a collection of high-quality premium content driven by talent from the Asia Pacific for a global audience, while affirming Disney+ as the home for a new world of entertainment that can be discovered and celebrated by fans.

2. Q: Why is Tempest so highly anticipated?

Carol Choi: There are several reasons why I am so excited about Tempest, and why this series is the most anticipated of the year. The series focuses on a thrilling narrative that presents a cross-genre espionage story with high stakes, skillfully blending action, political intrigue, and romantic drama. Like our other global offerings, Tempest showcases rich cultural uniqueness and explores the universal tension between power and ambition, truth and trust. We are bringing together a world-class international cast, top directors and writers, and the best production teams to deliver a story of exceptional quality.

3. Q: What role does the Korean market play in Disney's streaming strategy?

Carol Choi: Korea plays a very important role in Disney's streaming strategy as a key content development hub and a source of great stories that resonate with international audiences. Korean titles and talent consistently generate enthusiastic fans, as seen with our popular series Moving, Nine Puzzles, and A Shop for Killers. We believe Tempest will continue this momentum and captivate viewers around the world.

4. Q: Korean content now has universal appeal. What is unique about the Korean storytelling style, and why do you think it resonates so well with many audiences around the world?

Carol Choi: Stories and projects coming from Korea have reached world-class standards, with high production quality and top creative talent. Successful stories in Korea possess rich cultural uniqueness, yet are combined with universal values that resonate with global audiences. We are fortunate to collaborate with many talented storytellers from Korea, including directors Tempest Kim Heewon and Heo Myeonghaeng, as well as writer Chung Seokyung, who have a keen sensitivity to the cultural zeitgeist and are able to create characters and plots that touch the hearts and minds of viewers.

5. Q: How is Disney investing in and supporting the creative community in Korea?

Carol Choi: We believe in the long-term potential of Korean storytelling and have been an integral part of the local community and creative ecosystem for the past three decades. In addition to content investment, we adopt a long-term collaborative approach with creators. We connect Asia-Pacific creators with top Hollywood filmmakers and executives, and continue to seek ways to bridge and inspire creators from around the world.

6. Q: In evaluating content, what criteria determine whether a project will get the green light in the Asia Pacific?

Carol Choi: Ultimately, the main consideration is how strong and unique the story being offered is, as well as the quality of the creative team beyond the economic aspects of a project. Our role is to support the artistic vision of the creators, the unique perspectives of the storytellers, and to create an environment for them to produce their best work—while collaborating closely in the creative process, so they can achieve the greatest success possible.

7. Q: How has the Korean market evolved recently? Can the Korean audience be a benchmark for international success?

Carol Choi: As seen in other global markets, the creative industry in Korea has evolved and matured alongside changes in the demand and supply of local content. There is an abundance of Korean content available for viewers, which means achieving international success is not an easy path. Nevertheless, we are committed to finding the most unique and compelling stories that can resonate with audiences both in Korea and around the world.

8. Q: What recent storytelling trend has caught your attention the most?

Carol Choi: The Asia Pacific is at the forefront of innovative new trends that inspire global storytellers while simultaneously disrupting the entertainment landscape. At the same time, audiences are developing increasingly diverse tastes in entertainment, and it’s fascinating to see the evolution of micro-dramas and vertical storytelling, how mid-form lifestyle content without scripts is able to attract young audiences, as well as the ongoing interest in long-form storytelling and series with complex characters and intricate plotlines.

(kpl/jje)