Samhwa Networks
Samhwa Networks is a publicly listed Korean drama outsourcing production company that produces and licenses TV dramas to Korean broadcasters KBS, SBS, MBC, JTBC, and others, having produced over 120 dramas totaling 4,000+ hours since 1980.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1980
- HeadquartersSeoul, South Korea
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Samhwa Networks does
Samhwa Networks (삼화네트웍스) is a publicly listed Korean drama production company headquartered in Seoul (8 Maebongsan-ro 2an-gil, Mapo-gu), trading on KOSDAQ under ticker 046390 since March 2007. The company was originally founded in September 1980 as Samhwa Video Production and is recognized as Korea's first drama outsourcing production house, having produced more than 120 dramas totaling over 4,000 hours of content across genres including romance, thriller, mystery, medical, legal, and family dramas. The company operates through wholly-owned subsidiaries Home TV Broadcasting (acquired September 2006) and WS Entertainment (acquired August 2011), and is currently co-led by representative directors An Jae-hyun (안재현) and Shin Sang-yoon (신상윤).
The company's core product is end-to-end TV drama production services covering script development, casting, filming, and post-production, with output licensed to Korean broadcasting networks on a title-by-title basis. The catalog includes long-running franchises such as the Dr. Romantic medical series (three seasons on SBS, 2016–2023), Be Melodramatic (JTBC, 2019), The Fiery Priest (SBS, 2019), Now We Are Breaking Up (SBS, 2021–2022), Brain Works (KBS, 2023), Miss Night and Day (JTBC, 2024), and recent romantic comedies Would You Marry Me? and Dynamite Kiss (SBS, 2025). Distribution runs through direct licensing to major Korean broadcast networks (KBS, SBS, MBC) and cable/specialty channels (ENA, MBN/Drama MAX, JTBC, tvN), with content additionally distributed internationally beyond Korean borders.
The revenue model is one-time licensing of drama productions to broadcasters; pricing is not publicly disclosed and is negotiated directly with network buyers. Customer segments are entirely enterprise broadcasting buyers; end consumers are Korean general audiences and international viewers reached through licensed distribution. The company pursues international awards recognition (Tokyo Drama Awards, Seoul Drama Awards, Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union Awards, Houston International Film Festival) as a brand and distribution signal. In March 2026 the company approved a stock consolidation (par value change from 200 to 500 KRW per share) to stabilize trading price and enhance corporate value.
Samhwa Networks firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Samhwa Networks
- Legal name
- 주식회사 삼화네트웍스 (Samhwa Networks Co., Ltd.)
- Website
- https://shnetworks.co.kr
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1980
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Samhwa Networks is a publicly listed Korean drama outsourcing production company that produces and licenses TV dramas to Korean broadcasters KBS, SBS, MBC, JTBC, and others, having produced over 120 dramas totaling 4,000+ hours since 1980.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Samhwa Networks industry classification
Industry- Product category
- TV Drama Production
- NAICS
- Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621), Television Broadcasting Stations (51612)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Regional/Sub-National Broadcast Networks (MPABAAAM)
Keywords
Where Samhwa Networks is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Seoul
- HQ country
- South Korea
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Samhwa Networks business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Drama Production and Licensing: Samhwa Networks produces dramas and licenses them to Korean broadcasting networks including KBS, SBS, MBC, ENA, MBN, Drama MAX, JTBC, and tvN. Revenue is generated through production fees and licensing deals with broadcasters for drama content.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
Samhwa Networks product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Samhwa Networks is a Korean drama outsourcing (production-on-demand) company that produces TV dramas end-to-end — from script development and casting through filming and post-production — and licenses the finished programs to Korean broadcast networks (KBS, SBS, MBC) and cable/specialty platforms (ENA, MBN/Drama MAX, JTBC, tvN). Its portfolio spans romance, medical, thriller, mystery, legal, family, and fantasy genres, including franchises such as the Dr. Romantic series.
Product overview
Samhwa Networks (삼화네트웍스) is Korea's first and leading drama outsourcing production company, having produced over 120 dramas totaling more than 4,000 hours of content. The company operates as a single unified production offering (not a modular platform) with a portfolio of drama series organized by genre and format. Their products include ongoing drama franchises like the Dr. Romantic medical series (3 seasons), romantic comedies such as 'Would You Marry Me?' and 'Dynamite Kiss', mystery/thriller dramas including 'Longing for You' and 'Again My Life', daily/weekend dramas on major networks (KBS, MBC, SBS), and special genre productions featuring fantasy elements like 'Mystic Pop-up Bar' and 'Wonderful World'. The company produces content for all major Korean broadcast networks and streaming platforms.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Studio S: Studio production brand mentioned in news articles as co-producer of dramas alongside Samhwa Networks
Products and services
- TV Drama Production Services Full-service TV drama production covering script development, casting, filming, and post-production, delivered to Korean broadcast networks and cable/OTT platforms.
- Dr. Romantic Series Multi-season medical drama franchise produced for SBS, including Dr. Romantic 1 (2016-2017), Dr. Romantic 2 (2020), and Dr. Romantic 3 (2023).
- Brain Works (두뇌공조) KBS 2TV Monday-Tuesday 16-episode drama series (2023) combining brain science and detective investigation; aired on KBS.
- Be Melodramatic (멜로가 체질) JTBC Friday-Saturday romantic comedy drama (2019) following three women in their 30s; aired on JTBC.
- The Fiery Priest (열혈사제) SBS Friday-Saturday thriller drama (2019) about a priest who investigates crimes; aired on SBS.
- Now, We Are Breaking Up (지금, 헤어지는 중입니다) SBS drama (2021-2022) starring Song Hye-kyo, romantic drama set in the fashion industry; aired on SBS.
- The Graceful Family (우아한 가) MBN/DRAMAX Thursday-Friday drama (2019) following a legal team's investigations within conglomerates; aired on MBN/Drama MAX.
- Would You Marry Me? (우주메리미) SBS romantic comedy drama premiered October 10, 2025; co-produced with Studio S.
- Dynamite Kiss (키스는 괜히 해서!) SBS romantic comedy drama premiered November 12, 2025.
Quantifiable outcome
- 120+ drama productions produced
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Samhwa Networks
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Samhwa Networks technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Samhwa Networks partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Studio ScoreStudio S is a co-production partner with Samhwa Networks on multiple drama productions. Recent collaborations include 'Nine to Six' (2026), 'Would You Marry Me?' (2025), and other dramas.
- WS EntertainmentminorWS Entertainment was acquired by Samhwa Networks in August 2011, expanding the company's content production capabilities.
- Home TV BroadcastingminorHome TV Broadcasting was acquired by Samhwa Networks in September 2006.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Samhwa Networks competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Studio Dragon: Korea's largest dedicated drama production studio (subsidiary of CJ ENM), producing hit series across the same major broadcast networks that license Samhwa productions. Directly comparable as a Korean drama outsourcing production company competing for the same broadcaster commissions and global streaming rights.
- JS Pictures: Established Korean drama production company behind successful series for major Korean broadcasters. Directly comparable as a Korean drama outsourcing production house serving the same network customers and competing for similar genre commissions.
- IHQ: Korean entertainment company (formerly SidusHQ) active in drama production, talent management, and content distribution. Comparable as a Korean drama production company with overlapping activity in producing for major broadcast networks and managing creator/talent relationships.
- Chorokbaem Media: Established Korean drama production company (Green Snake Media) producing content for major Korean broadcast networks. Directly comparable as a long-running Korean drama outsourcing production house serving the same broadcast customers and competing for the same prime-time commission slots.
- Kim Jong-hak Production: Veteran Korean drama production house founded by director Kim Jong-hak, producing acclaimed drama series for Korean broadcast networks since the 1990s. Directly comparable as a long-established Korean drama outsourcing production studio with sustained relationships across the same network customer base.
Broad incumbents
- CJ ENM: Major Korean media conglomerate and parent of Studio Dragon and tvN, operating across content production, broadcasting, film, and entertainment. Comparable as a broader incumbent whose production and broadcast capabilities overlap with Samhwa's drama production and Home TV Broadcasting operations.
- KBS Media: Commercial production and content arm of KBS (Korea's national broadcaster), producing drama and non-drama content. Comparable as a vertically integrated broadcaster-production entity competing with Samhwa for in-house and externally commissioned drama slot assignments on Korea's largest broadcast network.
Emerging players
- Mega Monster: Relatively newer Korean production company behind several recent breakout K-drama successes (e.g., Extraordinary Attorney Woo). Comparable as an emerging Korean drama production company increasingly winning major commissions from networks and global streamers, partially overlapping with Samhwa's genre production footprint.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Samhwa Networks social profiles
Digital presenceSamhwa Networks financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Samhwa Networks leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Samhwa Networks subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Samhwa Networks funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Samhwa Networks M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Samhwa Networks
What does Samhwa Networks do?
Samhwa Networks is a Korean drama outsourcing (production-on-demand) company that produces TV dramas end-to-end — from script development and casting through filming and post-production — and licenses the finished programs to Korean broadcast networks (KBS, SBS, MBC) and cable/specialty platforms (ENA, MBN/Drama MAX, JTBC, tvN). Its portfolio spans romance, medical, thriller, mystery, legal, family, and fantasy genres, including franchises such as the Dr. Romantic series.
Is Samhwa Networks a public or private company?
Samhwa Networks is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Samhwa Networks founded?
Samhwa Networks was founded in 1980. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Samhwa Networks based?
Samhwa Networks is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, in the Asia region.
How does Samhwa Networks make money?
One revenue line is on record: drama Production and Licensing.
Who are Samhwa Networks's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Studio Dragon, JS Pictures, IHQ, Chorokbaem Media and Kim Jong-hak Production. Broad incumbents are CJ ENM and KBS Media. Mega Monster is listed as an emerging player.
Does Samhwa Networks have an API?
No public API is recorded for Samhwa Networks.
What industry is Samhwa Networks in?
Samhwa Networks's product category is TV Drama Production. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPABAAAM, Regional/Sub-National Broadcast Networks. Its NAICS code is 51621 and its SIC code is 7812.