A new cross-border alliance
Talent agency UTA and Asian Pacific advocacy organization Gold House have launched a partnership aimed at connecting Asian creatives, founders, and investors with Hollywood. The collaboration marks Gold House’s first official foray into Korea, expanding its formal regional footprint beyond previous presences in Singapore and Taiwan.
The partnership debuted with industry events at the Busan International Film Festival, including a joint industry night at the Park Hyatt and a panel titled “Hollywood & the Asian Diaspora” at the Asian Contents & Film Market. The organizations subsequently planned a speakeasy gathering in Seoul for cross-cultural creatives and funders.
David Park, a senior partner and agent at UTA, noted that while his agency has operated in Asian markets like Korea and Japan for years, adding Gold House provides an upgraded level of collaboration. Christine Yi, executive VP and president of Gold House Studios, described the expansion as overdue given the organization’s existing investments in Korean startups and local investor base.
Focus on authenticity and talent
Neither organization has established a formal, ongoing program yet, but both point to authenticity and specificity as key drivers for success. Yi emphasized that audiences easily detect content watered down for a global palate and stated that projects do not necessarily need to be in English as long as they resonate with English-speaking audiences.
Park and Yi highlighted the value of supporting first-time filmmakers and discussed how overseas talent is increasingly looking for guidance to navigate the U.S. market. Yi noted that unscripted producing partners and high-profile talent entering new mediums are among the areas the partnership aims to support.
Identifying gaps in the pipeline
According to Park, a primary gap in the current Asia-Hollywood pipeline is a shortage of crossover producers based in Asia with established relationships with Los Angeles buyers. Aside from Netflix and Disney, which maintain local teams, most buyers continue to rely on U.S. headquarters to evaluate local-language content.
Yi identified capital as another missing link, expressing interest in whether Asia-based private investors might support U.S. independent films. Looking ahead, the organizations intend to focus on network and ecosystem building, with Yi exploring potential cross-border talent development programs such as exchanges, shadowing schemes, or accelerators.
