A Study of Shifting Production Paradigms and Authorship in K-Dramas in the Era of AI and Global OTT

This study analyzes the impact of the artificial intelligence paradigm shift and the rise of global OTT platforms on the K-drama production environment, reexamining this transition from a new auteur theory perspective. The proliferation of global OTT platforms has dismantled the traditional terrestrial broadcaster-centered production structure, creating a new content ecosystem through the fusion of cinematic scale and drama narrative. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence technology has introduced innovative changes throughout the production process, presenting new possibilities for storytelling methods, audience analysis, and the creative process, while simultaneously promoting the redefinition of the roles of writers and directors. This research analyzes representative K-drama cases from 2014 to 2024, focusing on works released on global OTT platforms such as Netflix, and Disney+, as well as cases where artificial intelligence technology was utilized in production. The research methodology combines case analysis and content analysis based on media industry research methodology and digital-era auteur theory. The analysis results confirm that K-dramas in the era of AI transformation are establishing a hybrid form of auteurism that transcends the limitations of traditional media genres. Additionally, they are strengthening global competitiveness by presenting a new production model where technological innovation and artistic creativity complement each other. In particular, a new creative process has emerged where data-driven decision-making systems merge with the writer's creative intuition, accelerating the international expansion of K-dramas and various genre experiments. This study is expected to contribute to establishing a theoretical foundation for the future direction of K-dramas in a rapidly changing digital environment and the reconceptualization of media content creation and tech-art convergent auteurism in the age of artificial intelligence.