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South Korean content company KT Studio Genie has partnered with cloud technology provider Amagi to expand its international FAST distribution and introduce Genie Shorts, a new channel dedicated to vertical Korean micro-dramas. The initiative combines the migration of 16 existing FAST channels with a new approach to delivering short-form entertainment on connected televisions.
KT Studio Genie, the content subsidiary of telecommunications group KT Corporation, has completed the migration of its linear FAST channel portfolio to Amagi’s cloud-based playout infrastructure. The transition was carried out without service interruptions, allowing the company to maintain its existing broadcasts while preparing for further international expansion.
The migration covers 16 FAST channels, including KT Studio Genie’s domestic Korean programming and international K-Movie and K-Drama feeds. Channels were transferred in stages from the company’s previous technology provider, ensuring uninterrupted viewing throughout the process.
A central development is the introduction of Genie Shorts, a dedicated linear channel featuring Korean micro-drama episodes lasting between 90 and 120 seconds. Unlike conventional television programming, the service is designed around the vertical 9:16 video format commonly associated with mobile-first entertainment.
Genie Shorts launched with 73 titles and made its debut on LG Channels in South Korea in August 2026. Distribution subsequently expanded to Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates, with further availability through Samsung TV Plus in Europe planned.
The channel uses Amagi’s technology to preserve the original vertical video format when displayed on standard 16:9 television screens. Rather than cropping or stretching the content, the system maintains the original picture while incorporating a dedicated graphics layer for channel branding and programme information.
The partnership also introduces new opportunities for advertising monetisation. Amagi’s technology supports advertising placements within the side margins surrounding vertical video, allowing commercial messages to appear without interrupting the main programme. This approach could create additional advertising inventory for short-form content distributed through FAST channels.
Wonrak Choi, Head of the Channel Business Team at KT Studio Genie, identified scalability as the principal reason for selecting Amagi. The company’s unified playout architecture allows KT Studio Genie to extend distribution to additional platforms without incurring separate playout costs for each new destination.
Choi also revealed that KT Studio Genie’s FAST revenue during the first quarter of 2026 had already surpassed its total revenue for the previous year, with the business generating an operating profit. The performance has strengthened the company’s commitment to expanding its FAST operations internationally.
Jay Ganesan, Senior Vice President for Asia-Pacific at Amagi, highlighted the significance of bringing vertical storytelling to connected television. He positioned the launch as an example of how cloud-based infrastructure can support new viewing formats while enabling content owners to scale their distribution and monetisation strategies.
Alongside the channel expansion, KT Studio Genie is experimenting with AI-powered subtitling and translation technologies to make Korean productions more accessible internationally. The company is participating in a government-supported initiative to localise short-form dramas into Spanish ahead of a planned expansion into Latin America.
The collaboration reflects the growing convergence between short-form video and traditional television distribution. As demand for Korean entertainment continues to develop internationally, KT Studio Genie is using FAST channels and connected TV platforms to reach audiences beyond conventional broadcasting and subscription streaming services.
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