United Artists Agency (UAA) Korea is a boutique talent management firm headquartered in Seoul, distinguished by its elite roster and sophisticated approach to domestic and international representation. Unlike high-volume agencies, UAA prioritizes a “quality over quantity” model, managing a small group of top-tier actors who command significant influence in the global K-drama and film sectors.

The agency operates as a critical node in the Korean entertainment supply chain, bridging the gap between talent and major global platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV+. This strategic positioning allows UAA to navigate the complexities of international co-productions and “weaponized distribution,” where content is licensed across rivals to maximize ROI.

UAA Korea utilizes a sophisticated “career architecture” model that goes beyond standard talent representation. By treating each artist as a global brand, the agency focuses on identifying high-impact scripts and co-production opportunities that offer international exposure while maintaining cultural authenticity.

1. Precision Portfolio Engineering

Traditional agencies often focus on volume, but UAA engineering relies on identifying projects that align with “global sentiment data.” By tracking what themes resonate on international streamers, they position talent in stories that are “born global.” This approach ensures that even regional Korean hits have the DNA to become international phenomena like “Squid Game.”

For Acquisition Leads: Use project tracking to identify agencies with a high “strike rate” for global hits, signaling elite talent scouting capabilities.

The rise of Song Hye-kyo from a regional star to a global brand ambassador and Emmy-recognized talent illustrates the role of UAA in navigating the “authorized data” market and international IP protection.

Case Study: Globalizing Adult Animation IP

A Korean animation studio seeking to globalize its adult animation IP utilized Vitrina’s pairing engine to navigate the US market. By bypassing general submissions, they were connected directly to Netflix’s Adult Animation department within their first week of outreach. This move bypassed 12-18 months of traditional festival networking, securing a high-level development conversation systematically.

In an industry where global production is more connected yet operational data remains siloed, a “data deficit” can lead to missed opportunities. Supply chain intelligence transforms partner discovery from a manual art into a data-driven science.