Why Are K-Dramas Getting Shorter? Here's The Inside Scoop Straight From A Disney+ Exec

Some K-dramas these days run for less than 16 episodes already—and honestly, the Internet has mixed reactions about it. But as industry reports reveal, 12-episode K-dramas are quickly becoming the norm. As The Korea Times reported, it's the audience's desire for more fast-paced storytelling, plus the rise of streaming platforms, that drives show creators to adopt fewer episodes.

Enter: Disney+, which offers an explanation for this phenomenon. The global brand started producing K-dramas in 2021. Relatively, their shows run for an average of only 10 episodes. For them, the number of episodes comes after their target to focus on storytelling.

Cosmo had a quick conversation with The Walt Disney Company's Director of Original Content for Korea, Choi Yeonu, who explained to us how they decide on the number of episodes per K-drama.

"Great storytelling drives everything we do, and the format follows," Yeonu began telling Cosmopolitan Philippines. "We collaborate closely with creators to decide how best the story should be presented in each series—and how to keep audiences engaged every step of the way."

For the record, one of their huge titles that came out in 2023 was the award-winning 20-episode K-drama, Moving. From Yeonu's statement, it's understandable why and how Moving had 20 episodes instead of the usual 16 or fewer episodes. The show has a star-studded lineup and is packed with various stories from its variety of characters.

Their other star-studded titles, like Hyper Knife starring Park Eun Bin and Sol Kyun Gu, had only eight episodes. Meanwhile, Low Life, which stars Yang Sejong and Ryu Seung-ryong, ran for only seven episodes.

Beyond lessening the number of episodes, Disney+ is also leaning into a pilot-week strategy—hooking viewers with more than just a single episode. Take Nine Puzzles, for example: it dropped six episodes on the first day of the show's release, ensuring the audiences were instantly locked in.

The reason for it? Yeonu states, "Its release was carefully planned to maximize impact. We launched with six episodes to deliver an early plot climax, followed by three to build tension, and ended with two that revealed the final puzzle and killer. Every drop was timed to sustain momentum and keep viewers engaged."

Honestly, as a viewer, it’s an effective way to entice us into the show—not to mention the fact that some of their audience are used to binge-watching. So, six episodes in one night? That's definitely easy to binge! 😅 As of writing, Nine Puzzles stands as the most viewed Disney+ Korean title in 2025.

As we enter the second half of 2025, Disney+ is offering a packed lineup of K-dramas. Choi Yeonu discloses the four key pillars in their content strategy: top talent, franchise potential, smart curation, and new creative formats. You'll see these tactics in action in how they bring their upcoming series to life, which includes the highly anticipated Tempest.

ALSO READ: 10 Korean Dramas You Absolutely *Need To Watch* On Disney+

Tempest will bring together top-tier talent from both Korea and Hollywood—exactly what you'd expect from a "top talent" strategy. I mean, just look at the cast: Jun Ji Hyun, Gang Dongwon, John Cho, Michael Gaston, Spencer Garrett, Jacob Bertrand, Alicia Hannah Kim, and Christopher Gorham. That lineup alone is a major flex.

Although Tempest will be a nine-episode K-drama, the show offers a thrilling action plot about an international special agent and a career diplomat trying to prevent a life-threatening attack against Korea. If that's not enough to get your attention, we're here to tell you that Tempest is also directed by Kim Heewon (Queen of Tears, Vincenzo) and written by Chung Seokyung of the award-winning Korean film, Decision to Leave.

Premiering on September 10, 2025, the show will launch with three episodes on day one—a bold move to hook viewers right away. After that, two episodes will drop weekly until October 1. It's a fast, tight release schedule designed to keep you watching exclusively on Disney+.

Fewer episodes per K-drama may reflect shifting viewer habits, as audiences now reportedly prefer faster storytelling and tighter pacing. While Disney+ emphasizes that it all comes down to story, many believe the trend also signals a move toward multi-season formats, something Netflix has already done with Sweet Home, Squid Game, and other shows.

Shorter or multi-season K-dramas may divide fans, but one thing remains true: it's the story that keeps us watching. More than the cast or episode count, it's all about the compelling plots and perfect pacing that make viewers stay, whether the show has 12 or 20 episodes.