East Asian Serial Dramas in the Era of Global Streaming Services: Special Issue Editors’ Introduction

The story began in early 2022 when Tze-lan and Lina contacted Ying, the editor in chief of Global Storytelling, to propose a special issue. After brainstorming, we decided to have a three-way collaboration on the theme of East Asian serial dramas in the era of global streaming services and address the growing visibility and international circulation of East Asian cultural products. Global streaming platforms have emerged as major outlets for the worldwide circulation of transnational programs, including East Asian serial dramas. Despite their tremendous success, the global consumption of East Asian dramas and their impact on storytelling, representation, and national image remain understudied. Many questions remain. For instance, how have global streaming giants influenced local serial drama production, viewer experience, and digital labor? In the era of global streaming, what is the role of the nation?1 Do state policies—whether pertaining to the enforcement of