The 2025 Busan Story Market, part of the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM), has officially announced its full lineup of 31 selected IPs from Korea, Taiwan, and Japan.
This year’s showcase features high-potential works across books, webtoons, web novels, and more, particularly spotlighting standout entries from Taiwan and Japan that are drawing strong interest from regional industry professionals.
Busan Story Market: A Regional Hub for Original IP Exchange
As a central platform for IP transactions in Asia, the Busan Story Market continues to connect global content creators and buyers. Through pitching events and curated business meetings, the market facilitates rights sales and collaborative opportunities, contributing to the expansion of the international content ecosystem.
Korean IP: Diversity in Format and Genre
Nineteen Korean IPs have been selected this year from 184 submissions, including 11 books, four webtoons, two web novels, and two story formats. While overall submissions decreased slightly, the selection includes nine companies presenting at BSM for the first time. Genres range from romance and fantasy to historical drama and animation. This year’s selections also reflect a growing interest in themes like AI, time loops, and the occult, with creators offering fresh perspectives on emotional and imaginative storytelling.
Taiwanese IP: Emotional Depth and Genre Innovation
The Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA), continuing its partnership with ACFM since 2020, introduces six IPs—three books, two web novels, and one comic. These works are noted for their strong character development, emotional nuance, and inventive genre blending. The lineup demonstrates Taiwan’s evolving narrative landscape and its readiness for global screen adaptation.
Japanese IP: Expanding Cross-Media Potential
Six Japanese IPs have been selected through the Visual Industry Promotion Organization (VIPO), comprising three books, two comics, and—for the first time—a television drama. The inclusion of a drama format reflects growing interest in Japan’s capacity for OSMU (One Source Multi Use) storytelling. Japan’s characteristic versatility and depth of narrative remain a draw for international adaptation.
The 2025 Busan Story Market will take place at BEXCO Exhibition Hall 2 in Busan from September 20 to 23, offering four days of programming that highlights Asia’s vibrant original content scene.
