Asian Contents & Film Market

Entertainment Finance Forum Busan Ⅱ co-hosted by Winston Baker

Mon, 22 September, 15:30 - 17:00 | Day 3
Event Room C

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Winston Baker is thrilled to bring their Entertainment Finance Forum to Busan for the first time! Covering a range of timely and relevant topics such as attracting third-party investment back, saving Korean movie theatres, achievements in Asian animation, and a Fireside Chat with Simon Cornwell (The Night Manager) on IP development, international adaptations, and producing drama content in Asia. Join them as they blend local insight with their signature global and financial perspective.

Fireside Chat with Simon Cornwell
Simon Cornwell is the co-CEO, and co-founder, of The Ink Factory. Simon is also the chairman of John le Carré Ltd, the company charged with managing the le Carré estate, and The Ink Factory’s rights-holding partner for its le Carré adaptations. This session will cover topics including book to film/TV adaptations, building an IP company, drama formats and filming (locations and incentives) in Asia, as The Ink Factory shoots a third version of The Night Manager for China’s Youku streaming platform.

Moderator

Patrick FRATER (Consultant/Media Industry Journalist, F Media)

Based in Hong Kong and Bangkok, Patrick Frater has over 20 years of experience writing about and analysing the international entertainment industry. He has worked with publications including Screen International, The Hollywood Reporter and Film Business Asia. He was Asia editor of Variety between 2005 and 2009 and between 2013 and November 2024.

Panelists

Simon CORNWELL (Co-CEO/Founder, The Ink Factory)

Simon Cornwell is the co-CEO of The Ink Factory and chairs the John le Carré literary estate. The Ink Factory is currently producing the much-anticipated second season of The Night Manager for Amazon and the BBC, a follow-up to The Ink Factory’s multi-award-winning adaptation of le Carré’s novel. Beyond that The Ink Factory produces le Carré adaptations and other premium film and television around the world, including projects currently underway in Hong Kong, India, Japan and Korea. Simon came to The Ink Factory from top European venture capital firm Amadeus Capital Partners, where he was a senior partner.

The Asian Film Exhibition Industry: Crisis and Recovery Strategies
Korea’s cinemas have seen admissions and revenues collapse and fail to fully recover since the pandemic era. Cinemas have closed, a merger of the second and third chains is on the cards and re-releases, and alternate content are only partly plugging the gap left by strong Korean movies. This seminar will look at what caused the crisis, possible ways out and examples of good practise from elsewhere in Asia.

Panelists

HWANG Jaehyeon (Strategy Communication Director, CJ CGV)

Hwang Jaehyeon, who joined CJ CGV in 2017 as Head of Strategic communications in media relations, external affairs, and ESG management. He is confident that the cinema industry can rebound by technological strengths such as SCREENX and 4DX to enhance the unique experience that only theaters can provide. He actively communicates with the media, the National Assembly, government, and stakeholders in the film industry, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of movie-going in offline cultural life.

Karen MOON (Managing Director, Sony Pictures Entertainment Korea)

USA
- 2019 - 2023 President and Co-Founder, EntTree Content Group
- 2017 - 2019 Vice President/Head of Local Production Asia Pacific, Paramount Pictures, Hollywood
- 2014 - 2017 Executive Director, Digital Distribution APAC, Paramount Pictures, Hollywood
- 2011 - 2014 Media and Film Consultant

Korea
- 2007 - 2011 Head of Program Distribution, Disney ABC Int'l Television, Korea
- 2002 - 2006 Head of sales & acquisition, CJ Entertainment
- 2000 - 2001 Manager of film acquisition & production strategy, Taewon Entertainment

Education
- University of Southern California, M.S.
- University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate school
- Sung Kyun Kwan University, B.A.

Fireside Chat with Janet Yang and Eugene Yi
Join Janet Yang and Eugene Yi as they discuss their new documentary, The Rose: Come Back to Me, a powerful look at the band’s journey to international stardom. From busking sessions in the streets of Seoul to show-stopping performances at Coachella, the film highlights The Rose’s artistry, friendship, and their irresistible energy.

Speakers

Janet YANG (Emmy and Golden Globe-winning Producer/Former President, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences)

Janet Yang, Emmy and Golden Globe-winning producer, made history as the first Asian American to serve as President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, completing three terms in June 2025. In July 2025, she co-founded First Light StoryHouse with Miky Lee and Dominic Ng. Known for Empire of the Sun, The Joy Luck Club, and The People vs. Larry Flynt, her credits also include Over the Moon, Dark Matter, The Weight of Water, High Crimes, Zero Effect, and Shanghai Calling. A co-founder of GoldHouse, she has been named to THR’s “50 Most Powerful Women” and Forbes’ “50 Over 50.”

Eugene YI (Director, The Rose: Come Back to Me)

Eugene Yi is a filmmaker and journalist whose work includes The Rose: Come Back to Me (2025 TriBeCa Festival, winner of an audience award) and Free Chol Soo Lee (with Julie Ha; competition at 2022 Sundance Film Festival, PBS’s Independent Lens, News and Documentary EMMY® for Best Historical Documentary winner). His editing work includes Farewell Ferris Wheel (2018 News and Documentary EMMY®-nominated) and Out of My Hand (Berlinale, 2015 Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award nominee).

Winston Baker