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When we talk about the economy, our minds often go to heavy industries, international trade, and natural resources. But in recent decades, a new phenomenon has emerged: the creative economy — where the primary capital is not oil, gas, gold, or land, but rather human creativity and ideas.
The creative economy is a concept in which creativity, innovative ideas, and content become the main sources of value and income generation. Unlike traditional economies that rely on natural resources or industrial production, the creative economy is based on human skill, knowledge, and imagination. By blending art, technology, design, media, and innovation, it not only creates new job opportunities but also plays a vital role in cultural and economic development.
The creative economy refers to sectors of the economy driven by ideas, innovation, knowledge, and creative talent. It encompasses visual and performing arts, design, fashion, music, cinema, digital media, gaming, advertising, architecture, and even emerging technologies such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence in creative industries.
In essence, it is where culture, art, and innovation are transformed into money and capital.
According to UNESCO and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), creative industries contributed more than $2.25 trillion to the global economy in 2022, generating nearly 50 million jobs worldwide.
The creative economy accounts for about 3% of global trade, but its growth outpaces many traditional industries. In some countries, such as South Korea and the UK, creative industries make up as much as 10% of GDP.
Iran, with its rich cultural heritage, traditional arts, handicrafts, music, cinema, and tourism potential, has significant opportunities in this field. According to domestic reports:
However, weak infrastructure, lack of strong copyright laws, and limited venture capital investment remain key obstacles to faster growth in this sector.
South Korea has become a global pioneer in the creative economy, investing heavily in cultural and creative industries. Its model successfully combines innovation, culture, and commerce, with industries spanning music and entertainment (K-Pop), cinema, animation, video games, fashion design, and cutting-edge technology.
The Role of K-Pop and Entertainment
K-Pop is one of the most successful examples of the creative economy. Beyond spreading Korean culture worldwide, it has generated an enormous economic impact. According to the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the music industry alone generated over $7 billion in 2023, creating millions of direct and indirect jobs. Groups like BTS and BLACKPINK, through global tours, online sales, and digital content, are prime examples of creativity turned into capital.
Cinema and Content Production
The Korean film industry is another success story. With films like Parasite, which won an Academy Award, the sector not only grew economically but also boosted tourism and cultural exports. According to the Korea Creative Content Agency, Korea’s film and TV industries generated more than $3 billion in 2023, significantly contributing to cultural exports.
Government Policies
South Korea’s government has played a crucial role through:
These measures have made the creative economy one of the main drivers of growth and employment in South Korea.
With emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain, and the metaverse, new opportunities are opening up for artists, designers, and cultural startups. NFTs, digital content platforms, and AI-driven advertising are just a few examples.
By 2030, the creative economy is projected to surpass $4 trillion globally, becoming a central force in shaping future societies and economies.