The Busan Story Market (BSM) is ‘straight up’ making waves in 2026, unveiling a seriously impressive lineup of 25 official selections. According to the report, this year’s roster includes internationally acclaimed authors like Hwang Bo-reum, known for ‘Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop,’ and Lee Geum-yi, a two-time Hans Christian Andersen Award finalist with a stacked bibliography of over 50 published books. These selections pull from original intellectual property (IP) across four key Asian countries, setting the stage for some major content adaptation buzz. It’s safe to say, the Busan Story Market is looking pretty lit!
As an integral part of the larger Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM), which itself is the official market of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), BSM acts as a crucial hub. Its core mission is to bridge the gap between original IP, ranging from books and webtoons to web novels and video games, and global content platforms. These selected titles are geared for pitching sessions and one-on-one business meetings, all aimed at brokering secondary rights deals and fostering adaptation collaborations for film and audiovisual formats. Talk about a golden opportunity for creators to get their stories out there, no cap.
The Korean selections, a whopping 15 titles from 13 companies, represent a dynamic blend of formats and narratives. The BSM received 138 submissions for these spots, ultimately choosing nine books, two webtoons, two web novels, and two original stories. Genres are all over the map, from crowd-pleasing romance, mystery, fantasy, and family dramas to more unconventional hooks like parallel worlds, out-of-body experiences, and sci-fi. Themes range from deep dives into generational communication and family bonds to individual journeys set against their times, even touching on AI-inflected fantasy and genre-blending historical romance. It’s highkey diverse and truly represents the breadth of Korean storytelling.
Moving eastward, the Taiwanese IP selection, a consistent collaboration with the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA), features four standout titles, each from a different company. These selections include a book, a webtoon, a web novel, and a comic. The report highlights that each title boasts a high concept, strong enough to convey its identity in a single line, which is legit for grabbing attention. They use fantasy settings not just for spectacle but to explore deep emotional terrain, including bereavement, remorse, early romance, and coming-of-age stories, making them ripe for adaptation across various formats, like drama series and films.
Japan also brings the heat with four compelling IPs, sourced through the Visual Industry Promotion Organization (VIPO). This contingent includes one book and three comics, all from separate companies. The Japanese selections, as the article states, really lean into layered characters and complex relationships, often built around secrets and compelling obsessions. The narratives are known for shifting in unpredictable directions as hidden truths surface or unlikely individuals form bonds across different boundaries. This emphasis on intricate plotting and character development definitely hits different for fans of nuanced storytelling.
Last but not least, Indonesia makes its mark with two selected comics, both from different companies. These titles earned their spot at BSM after being shortlisted from 10 Indonesian original IPs at the 2025 JAFF Content Market, an initiative run by the Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival Market (JAFF Market). Following successful pitches and meetings focused on film and audiovisual adaptations, these two properties clinched the JAFF Content Market Award, securing their place in the BSM lineup. This strong connection highlights a two-way exchange, as one of BSM’s selected Korean IPs will be invited to JAFF IP Connection, the evolved 2026 program in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, later this year.
The entire ACFM, including BSM, is set to take over Exhibition Center 2 at BEXCO in Busan for four action-packed days, kicking off on October 10th. The 25 selected IPs will connect with industry professionals through dedicated BSM Pitch & Match sessions and further business meetings, all geared toward exploring expansion and adaptation opportunities. With the 31st Busan International Film Festival running from October 6-15, and ACFM (its 21st edition) from October 10-13, Busan is going to be the epicenter for Asian content, for real. The previous year’s ACFM drew over 3,000 industry professionals from 55 countries, generating an estimated $71.1 million in transactions, so the stakes are high and the potential is massive.
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Livia Dorne covers film, television, music, and pop culture with a keen editorial perspective. She delivers engaging commentary, reviews, and behind-the-scenes insights that keep readers connected to the entertainment world. Her style blends critique with storytelling.
