Revenue from content production and distribution by digital creators is increasing. Advertising, marketing and commerce businesses have grown sharply and have become the main segment of the digital creator industry.

The Broadcasting Media Communications Commission and the Korea Radio Promotion Association announced the findings of the 2025 Digital Creator Media Industry Survey on the 28th.

The digital creator media industry refers to businesses that create and share content on online video platforms. The survey is state‑approved statistics based on a sample of 1,000 firms to assess sales, management, workforce and business conditions.

The number of related businesses last year was 11,089, down 2,425 from a year earlier. By segment, advertising, marketing and commerce accounted for 6,346 firms, up 197.7 percent. Video production and production support totaled 4,154 firms, down 58.5 percent. Creator marketing agencies, including MCNs, numbered 491, down 60.1 percent. Online video sharing platforms totaled 98 firms, down 31.5 percent.

The commission said the total number of businesses fell, but advertising, marketing and commerce firms increased sharply and are becoming the main segment of the industry.

Total industry revenue was 5.55 trillion won, up 234.4 billion won or 4.4 percent from a year earlier. By segment, video production and production support generated 2.21 trillion won, up 6.5 percent. Advertising, marketing and commerce posted 1.99 trillion won, up 12.6 percent. Online video sharing platforms recorded 805.1 billion won, up 11.4 percent. Creator marketing agencies, including MCNs, generated 547.9 billion won, down 27.2 percent.

Average revenue per company was 500 million won, up 27.2 percent from a year earlier. Firms with less than 500 million won in revenue totaled 7,879, or 71.7 percent. Industry employment reached 43,717 people, up 1,339 or 3.2 percent, though 9,504 businesses, or 85.7 percent, had fewer than five employees. Workers aged 30 or under numbered 23,000, accounting for 52.3 percent.

Companies producing their own content made up 41.9 percent, or 4,651 firms, and created an average of 76.4 pieces a year. Information‑delivery content accounted for 39.5 percent and review content for 32.5 percent. Distribution platforms were YouTube at 65.9 percent, Instagram at 12.9 percent and Naver Clip at 7.9 percent.

Kang Do‑sung, director of the Broadcasting Media Promotion Bureau, said the industry is showing qualitative growth as it expands through convergence with areas such as advertising, marketing and commerce. He said various support measures will be prepared to help digital creators and businesses generate high value and expand globally.