How K-dramas are made

The process generally runs from planning and script development to financing and securing a broadcast slot, then casting, filming, editing and post-production, and finally broadcast. Writers and production companies develop a proposal and sign with a broadcaster or streaming service. Larger projects can take a year or two, or more, from concept to screen.

A production company actually makes the drama, while a broadcaster schedules and airs it. Broadcasters sometimes produce in-house, but most dramas today are made by independent production companies. Streaming services typically take part by funding production in exchange for distribution rights.

In Korean drama, PD usually refers to the director, who leads filming on set, shapes each scene and guides the actors' performances. Depending on the project, the PD may also act as a producer overseeing the whole production. Many people in Korea simply call this person the director, or gamdok.

A script reading is a session before filming where the cast and crew read through the script together. It helps actors find their characters' voices, build chemistry and share the overall tone of the drama. Footage of the first script reading is often released as promotional content for fans.

Jjokdaebon refers to script pages handed out just a few at a time, right before filming. It was common when dramas were shot while already airing, and it put heavy pressure on actors and crew. With pre-production becoming more widespread, it is generally considered less common than it used to be.

A pre-produced drama finishes most or all filming before it airs. The relaxed schedule allows more polish and makes simultaneous international release easier. On the downside, writers cannot adjust the story based on viewer reactions during the broadcast, as was possible with live-shoot dramas.

For a 16-episode miniseries, filming often lasts several months to more than half a year. Historical dramas or productions with heavy visual effects can take longer. Timelines vary widely, and production announcements or interviews are the best source for a specific drama's schedule.

Location managers scout places that fit the script and obtain permission from owners and local authorities. Regional film commissions often help by recommending locations and handling paperwork. When a real place cannot be used, the production builds a set instead.

Sets recreate spaces like homes, offices and hospitals in studios or outdoors so scenes can be filmed repeatedly. They are less affected by weather and noise, making schedules easier to manage. Some outdoor sets, especially for historical dramas, open to tourists after or between shoots.

Funding comes from broadcasters or streaming services, overseas sales, product placement and sponsorships. As budgets have grown, international rights and streaming investment have become a bigger share. Exact figures are rarely made public, so reported numbers should be treated with caution.

All-night shoots were once common and widely criticised. As the 52-hour workweek was phased in, pressure grew to manage shooting hours, with more emphasis on standard contracts and rest time. However, conditions vary widely between productions, and long working hours have continued to be raised as a problem, so it is hard to generalise.

Footage is assembled and trimmed to length in the editing room. Pre-produced dramas get edited thoroughly after filming wraps, while dramas shot during broadcast may be edited right up until airtime. After editing, colour grading and sound work are added to finish each episode.

Post-production includes editing, colour grading, computer graphics, sound effects, adding music and subtitles. Fantasy and action titles need a lot of time for visual effects. Subtitles and dubbing for international release are also prepared at this stage, often in many languages at once.

The production team, in consultation with the writer and director, sends scripts to actors and offers them roles. Newcomers and supporting actors are often chosen through auditions. Actors' schedules and negotiations with their agencies have a big influence on final casting decisions.

Making-of videos show behind-the-scenes moments from the set, including rehearsals and actors relaxing between takes. They are released on official channels and are very popular with fans. They offer a glimpse of the cast's real chemistry, which often feels quite different from the drama itself.

Film sets usually restrict public access for safety and to keep shooting on schedule. If you happen to come across one, keep your distance, follow staff instructions and avoid taking photos. Sharing filming details online can spoil the story or disrupt production, so discretion is appreciated.

Writers first create a proposal and overall storyline, then write the script episode by episode. Assistant writers often help with research. Dramas about specialised professions usually bring in experts, such as doctors or lawyers, as consultants to keep details believable.

The art department sources furniture, props and costumes that suit the era and characters, and dresses the sets. Product placement items are sometimes used as props. For historical dramas, traditional crafts are often specially made or borrowed from collections and rental houses.

Most indoor sets are dismantled to free up studio space for the next project. Some outdoor sets remain as tourist attractions or are reused for other dramas. Whether a set still exists can change, so check local tourism information before planning a visit.

Many local governments and regional film commissions offer location scouting help, administrative support and sometimes partial funding. Appearing on screen can boost tourism, which is why regions compete to attract shoots. The terms and conditions differ from region to region.