Returning to the 2023 Gwangju ACE Fair Sep.14th – 17th was a great opportunity to discover the latest trends in the Asian market.
When entering this trade fair, one is immediately struck by the richness and significant trend shifts compared to the pre-COVID era. Notably, what stands out is the diminishing prominence of international brands in the offerings to the numerous industry professionals. Furthermore, there is a plethora of competitive content that has yet to be introduced in Europe and the United States.
The “Gwangju ACE Fair,” was held under the theme “Content DIVE!” The event took place at the Kimdaejung Convention Center from September 14th to 17th and drew significant global interest from content companies.
The exhibition witnessed a total of 914 export consultations, resulting in a staggering business consultation amount of $232 million. It also saw an impressive turnout of over 35,000 visitors during its duration.
Gwangju ACE Fair 2023 featured 400 content companies from 33 countries, with 510 booths, showcasing a diverse range of content and new products. It presented a wide spectrum, including broadcasting, animation, characters, holograms, virtual reality (VR) experiences, and extended reality (XR) games, captivating the attention of both domestic and international buyers and attendees.
A multitude of domestic and international content-related companies, including renowned names such as CJ ENM, SK Broadband, LG HelloVision, Korea Occupational Broadcasting, Daekyo Children’s TV, Indonesia’s state-owned broadcaster RTV (Metropolitan Televisindo), China’s ‘Mango TV,’ Cuba’s ‘Canal Habana,’ Guatemala’s ‘Grupo Chapin TV,’ and Brazil’s ‘Globo TV,’ participated extensively, turning it into a bustling business hub for global content giants. Additionally, Taiwan’s international joint pavilion featured 14 booths organized by TMPA and TAITRA, while 7 booths from India also joined ACE Fair.
The 2023 Gwangju ACE Fair, themed “Content DIVE!“, introduced a diverse range of content, including Broadcasting, Animation/Characters, and Digital Content (games, VR·AR). It also featured programs for the content industry business, such as export consultation meetings and networking parties, the international conference CDC (Content Developer Conference), and local cultural infrastructure tours. Moreover, there was a game experience zone where one could try everything from retro games to VR games and board games. Alongside these offerings were colorful side events such as the Gwangju International ACE Illustration Fair, the 16th Youth Broadcasting Content Competition, and K-POP Random Play Dance.
In essence, the Korean market boasts a well-structured, mature, and thriving landscape, brimming with opportunities waiting to be explored.
Here, we present a vibrant photo gallery of the brands that graced the Korean ACE Fair 2023 in September. Licensing Magazine eagerly anticipates its return next year, with an even more substantial presence, and a special Korean edition of our magazine to further solidify the connections between European, American, and Asian brands. Stay tuned for an even more exciting and diverse program at the 2024 Gwangju ACE Fair, happening from September 26th to September 29th. See you there!
