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Filipino stars Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino opened up about their first big-screen collaboration, “My Love Will Make You Disappear,” revealing the journey that brought together the dynamic pair whose combined social media following tops 40 million.

The romantic comedy, produced by Abs-cbn’s Star Cinema — one of the exhibitors at Hong Kong FilMart — will be released globally March 28.

“I think this movie — romance and comedy — it’s a Filipino thing that our culture really loves, about two people falling in love with each other,” Chiu tells Variety. “It’s the best time for people to watch this in cinemas because there’s a lot of things happening around us, a lot of problems people are dealing with.”

Directed by Chad Vidanes and written by Patrick Valencia and Isabella Policarpio, the film follows Sari (Chiu), a woman convinced she’s cursed because every man she loves vanishes. When she meets Jolo...

With appearances by Bobby Deol (Aashram 3), Suniel Shetty & Jackie Shroff (Hunter 2), Remo D’Souza & Malaika Arora (Hip Hop India 2), Ashneer Grover (Rise and Fall) and more, Amazon Mx Player showcased its remarkable slate of over 100 new shows for 2025 at the first edition of Amazon Mx Player’s – StreamNext event.

Amazon Mx Player is India’s leading free, premium, ad-supported entertainment services. It offers a diverse range of award-winning web series, reality shows, popular international shows and a massive movie library across multiple genres.

With a strong focus on original content, reality shows, and Mx Vdesi content that includes K-dramas, Mandarin, Turkish shows and more, Amazon Mx Player is one of India’s largest entertainment destinations. “There is no other streaming service in India that offers such a massive selection of content for free,” said Karan Bedi, Head of Amazon Mx Player.

Amazon Mx Player has launched some of the largest shows in India,...

Marry My Husband is the perfect show to watch for anyone missing Park Min-young and Park Seo-joon's romance K-drama, What's Wrong With Secretary Kim. After taking a two-year break from Korean dramas, Park Min Young returned to the small screen as Kang Ji-won in Marry My Husband. The romantic K-drama follows Ji-won, a woman who is down on her luck and is stuck in a loveless and abusive marriage. Ji-won dies and wakes up 10 years before the events that lead to her death and is given a second chance at life.

Marry My Husband is more than just a romance K-drama given that it combines other elements such as revenge and time travel. Like in What's Wrong With Secretary Kim, Park Min-young's character is one of the best things about Marry My Husband. Although she has starred in several other K-dramas, she is mostly recognized for her role as Kim Mi-so,...

Marry My Husband may not have made as much noise as other hit 2024 shows, but it was one of the best K-dramas of the year. With an impressive career that includes some of the best K-dramas of all time, Park Min-young is a fan-favorite actress whose new projects are always exciting by default. As soon as it was announced that Park Min-young was going to play the female lead in a brand-new K-drama based on a webtoon, Marry My Husband became one of the most anticipated K-dramas of 2024.

Park Min-young has played a lot of great characters in her career, although Kim Min-so in What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim is arguably her most iconic. The actress is known for playing characters that display vulnerability but are actually very strong, which perfectly describes the lead in Marry My Husband. While Marry My Husband received good reviews, it was arguably...

K-dramas have captivated an international audience in recent years with their compelling stories, entertaining characters, and talented cast. While well-written storylines, characterizations, and conflicts are major factors in making a masterpiece K-drama, skilled actors are essential for bringing the words and emotions to life. From dark crime thrillers to heartwarming romantic comedies, K-dramas are elevated by the cast's portrayal of their characters and the chemistry between them.

The performances of the best K-drama stars can either make or break the show. Several iconic K-dramas boast remarkable and compelling characters that are only brought to life when perfectly cast, making it impossible to imagine any other actor in the role. Outstanding performances from actors can make the emotional and dramatic scenes especially unforgettable. K-dramas with perfect casting ensure that audiences can best enjoy tremendous portrayals of beloved characters.

What's Wrong with Secretary Kim (2018) Park Min-young As Kim Mi-so

What's Wrong with Secretary Kim...

Southeast Asia content makers have had it tough in recent times. Not only was the streamer money that briefly flooded the region reduced as global cuts bit, but they’ve seen demand for Japanese and Korean content reach new heights, while the rise of streaming in India has become a major narrative across the continent. Netflix, Disney+ and Prime Video have all committed large funding pots to Asia, but the question is, how much can Southeast Asia specifically score?

Those we have spoken to in the likes of Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia talk of the difficult economic climate and belt-tightening over production budgets. Streaming originals have been ditched and free-to-air networks are seeing TV advertising spend move to social media.

Mark Francis, Chief Content and Strategy Officer at Indonesia’s largest streamer, Vidio, says multiple global streaming services spending big on productions was unlikely to last. “As it turns out,...

No Gain No Love is a South Korean romantic comedy-drama series written by Kim Hye-young. The tvN series follows the story of Son Hae-yeong, an ambitious young woman trying to convince her neighborhood convenience store employee, Kim Ji Uk to marry her so that she doesn’t miss out on a promotion. No Gain No Love stars Shin Min-a (Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha) and Kim Young-dae (Shooting Stars) in the lead roles with Han Ji-hyun, Lee Sang-yi, Jeon Hye-won, and Lee Yoo-jin starring in supporting roles. So, if you loved the cute romance, hilarious comedy, and likable characters in No Gain No Love here are some similar South Korean shows you should check out next.

Marriage Contract Credit – Mbc TV

Marriage Contract is a South Korean romantic drama series written by Jung Yoo-kyung. The Mbc TV series follows the story of Kang Hye-soo, a single mother who agrees to marry a Chaebol...

Exclusive: Korean animated film Yumi’s Cells: The Movie will be released on streaming platform Rakuten Viki on July 19, after a theatrical run at the domestic box office in April.

The Asian-content focused Rakuten Viki has unveiled a collaboration with Chinese video site Bilibili to bring Chinese animated series Mom, I’m Sorry and Rakshasa Street seasons 1-3 to its platform.

Yumi’s Cells: The Movie was adapted from the eponymous webtoon, which originally received an enormous 3.5 billion views. The webtoon also spawned two live action drama series titled Yumi’s Cells in 2021 and 2022, which are available on Rakuten Viki. Broadcast rights to the show were sold to more than 160 territories.

According to the Korean Film Council’s data, Yumi’s Cells: The Movie grossed around $445,000 from 76,500 admissions at the Korean box office in April.

Yumi’s Cells tells the story of an office worker Yumi and the different kinds of cells in her brain,...

What's Wrong with Secretary Kim is a staple of K-dramas due to its sweet workplace romance storyline. The besr follow-ups to What's Wrong with Secretary Kim are K-dramas that also focus on co-workers falling in love. Her Private Life, Business Proposal, and Suspicious Partner are all strong series that have similar themes to What's Wrong with Secretary Kim.

In the world of K-dramas, What's Wrong with Secretary Kim has become a beloved classic, and luckily, there are several more romance K-drama series that are just like it. Released in 2018, What's Wrong with Secretary Kim centers on a narcissistic CEO, Lee Young-joon, and his hardworking secretary, Kim Mi-so. After nine years of loyal work, Mi-so unexpectedly quits, turning Young-joon's world upside down. As a result, he will do anything to get Mi-so to return, causing their relationship to grow more intimate than it ever had before.

The best K-dramas to watch...

The casting of Park Seo-joon and Park Min-young made "What's Wrong With Secretary Kim?" a hit, elevating the characters with their chemistry and reputation. Lack of conflict weakened the storyline, with romantic moments favored over solid plotlines, hindering the development of the series. "What's Wrong With Secretary Kim?" would have benefited from a shorter series to maintain energy and address pacing issues, as the climax came too soon.

What's Wrong With Secretary Kim? may still be an iconic K-drama six years later, but it is not without its issues. What's What Wrong With Secretary Kim? is an essential K-drama to watch for all K-drama fans as its fun premise sees CEO Lee Young-joon (Park Seo-joon) question why his secretary Kim Mi-so (Park Min-young) would want to quit working for him. Though What's Wrong With Secretary Kim?'s premise is relatively simple, it's still considered one of the best K-dramas of all time.

Disney+ Announces Korean Espionage Series ‘Tempest’: Cast, Plot, & Release Date Explored ( Photo Credit – IMDb )

Disney+ is adding an exciting title to its slate of Korean dramas. The streaming giant has announced a new espionage thriller series titled Tempest. The show is about a diplomat and a special agent who team up for a dangerous mission.

The series’ lead cast has been confirmed, including two famous A-listers. Disney+ has also unveiled the release window for the spy series. Here are all the updates we have so far about Tempest.

Disney+’s Tempest Plot: A Diplomat and an International Agent Collaborate to Stop a Deadly Attack

Tempest, earlier titled North Star, revolves around an accomplished diplomat who served as an ambassador to the US. The other protagonist is a former mercenary and an international special agent whose identity and nationality remain mysterious. The two take up a mission to uncover the...

BTS Leader Rm Opens Up About The Difficulties He Faced Being The Leader Of The Boy Band. (Photo Credit – Instagram)

BTS is a hugely popular South Korean boy band with seven members. On May 24, its leader, Kim Namjoon, aka Rm, released the title track to his solo album, Right Place Wrong Person. The track is titled Lost, and in a recently released video, Namjoon opened up about feeling the burden of being the boy band’s leader. Scroll below for more.

He is professionally known as Rm, formerly Rap Monster. He released his first mixtape, Rm, in 2015. Namjoon collaborated with renowned artists like Lil Nas X, Wale, Younha, and others. For the uninitiated, the K-pop boy band was created in 2010.

BTS’ Rm and Jimin discussed various topics in the recently released video on Bangtan TV’s YouTube channel via Hindustan Times. Kim Namjoon revealed feeling burdened by the band’s leadership.

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Park Seo-joon recently starred in Gyeongseong Creature season 1, whereas Park Min-young recently led the series Marry My Husband. Park Seo-joon and Park Min-young once worked together on a critically-acclaimed K-drama released in 2018. Those who liked Gyeongseong Creature and/or Marry My Husband will want to check out this 2018 drama starring Park Seo-joon and Park Min-young.

Park Seo-joon and Park Min-young have recently led Gyeongseong Creature and Marry My Husband, respectively, two successful shows that serve as a reminder to watch a critically acclaimed K-drama from 2018 in which they starred together. The careers of Park Seo-joon and Park Min-young include some of the most influential K-dramas of the last few years, ranging from rom-coms to supernatural stories. Park Seo-joon’s latest hit, Gyeongseong Creature, takes place at the end of World War II and adds a sci-fi element to the true, horrific story of Unite 731. Interestingly, Gyeongseong Creature season 2 will...

Chemistry between leads is vital for a successful K-drama romance, along with a strong plot to keep the audience engaged. Adding elements like mysteries, crime, or the fantastical makes a love story more exciting and creates compelling characters. Well-developed characters outside of the romance enhance the depth of a couple's relationship in a K-drama series.

Romantic couples are a vital part of many television shows, and K-Drama series often have couples with the best onscreen chemistry. No matter what genre a K-drama falls under, there is almost always a central romantic couple who must overcome adversity and differences to be together. However, these couples are only compelling if the actors have enough chemistry to make their attraction believable, leaving the audience breathless. A K-drama will rarely find success if the lead couple isn’t a good match.

Implementing mysteries, fantastical elements, and even crime gives the protagonists something to investigate or accomplish together.

Marry My Husband was a compelling webtoon adaptation with a mix of revenge, comedy, and love story. The cast, led by Park Min-young, brought their characters to life in this story of revenge and second chances. The series made changes from the original webtoon to tell Ji-won's transformation story uniquely.

Marry My Husband’s cast included established Korean stars and up-and-coming actors who brought Ji-won’s story to life in this K-drama adaptation of a webtoon. Prime Video’s time travel K-drama aired from January to February 2024, with each episode following a new chapter in Ji-won’s journey to give her tragic destiny to someone else. Marry My Husband combined drama, comedy, and a love story into a compelling 16-episode series that will likely be included in the list of best K-dramas of 2024. Most of the show took place in 2013, although the story began in the present day.

Similar...

K-dramas offer a variety of genres, making it easy for beginners to find a series they will enjoy. Standalone seasons and long episodes are common in K-dramas, providing captivating storylines that keep audiences engaged. These recommended series are perfect for K-drama beginners, as they introduce the structure of K-dramas and provide compelling narratives.

There are plenty of K-dramas to choose from and this can be overwhelming for those just starting on their K-drama journey. Luckily, a few series perfectly ease new audiences into the world of K-dramas. These shows are known for their standalone seasons, long episodes, and a variety of genres to choose from.

K-dramas offer a wide range of genres, such as dramas or thrillers like The Glory, or romantic comedies such as What's Wrong with Secretary Kim. There's sure to be a fitting series, no matter what genre or storyline audiences are looking for. This is useful for beginners,...

What's Wrong with Secretary Kim? is one of the most popular K-Dramas out there, but before it turned into one of the highest-rated Korean dramas in cable television history, it was a novel by Jung Kyung-yoon and then later a best-selling manhwa. The manhwa features a love story between the perfectionist boss Lee Young-joon and his secretary, Kim Mi-so, who quits after nine years.

Although this romantic comedy isn't the newest manhwa on the block, it is one of the most popular and a strong example of unusual boss-and-employee relationships. A lot of manhwa are cut from the same cloth, and those who have binged What's Wrong with Secretary Kim? have plenty of options when it comes to comparable reading material.

Updated January 9th, 2024 by Chelsea Steele: In recent years, manhwa have become more popular than ever before. This South Korea-based medium covers a wide range of genres and subgenres,...

Abs-cbn Entertainment and regional streamer Viu are teaming on a Philippines remake of Cj Enm’s hit romcom series What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim.

Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino will head the cast of the remake, taking on the lead roles of Secretary Kim and Mr. Vice-Chairman, originally played by Park Min-young and Park Seo-joon in the Cj Enm series.

Dreamscape Entertainment is producing the show, which starts production today. The story revolves around a handsome, narcissistic vice-chairman of a major corporation whose world turns upside down when his highly competent secretary of many years announces her resignation. He then does everything it takes to keep her by his side.

Based on a popular webtoon, Cj Enm’s What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim topped Korean ratings when it aired in 2018 and also gained widespread popularity globally.

The show marks the third adaptation of a top-rating international format between Viu and Abs-cbn,...

East Asian cinema and television have been garnering global interest and critical acclaim in the past few decades, especially now that streaming services and platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Viki have been producing or acquiring the rights to many successful South Korean, Japanese, and Chinese dramas. While some fans may have a predilection for K-drama, K-pop music, and Korean lifestyle and cuisine in particular, others prefer Japanese productions because they’re more raw and fast-paced, or fantasy C-dramas for their epic action and artistic aesthetics.

This branched enthusiasm translates well into numbers: the Netflix survival series Squid Game was streamed by more than 142 million households in its first month; the revenge drama The Glory received 8 nominations at the Baeksang Awards and won three; the fantasy and adventure series Secret of the Three Kingdoms secured 14 billion views in 50 days and won Best Television Series at the Tencent Video Star Awards; and...

“On a romantic evening date with the young, rich, and unbelievably handsome Taemu, Hari is the envy of all women…but little do they know—it's all fake! She has been trapped into playing the part of his girlfriend to appease his meddlesome grandfather, all the while desperately trying to hide the fact that she is actually an employee at his company! How long can she keep up this nerve-wracking double life?” (Ize Press)

on Amazon by clicking on the image below

The first volume of “A Business Proposal” has all the keynotes one would desire in a Korean rom-com: adorable characters, a sharp comedic wit, and an endearing love story of opposites. The second volume in the series not only keeps to these standards but excels in them as the manhwa starts to hit its stride both in story and visuals.

The inaugural release acted to...

Toronto International Film Festival has announced the participants for this year’s “In Conversation With…” series, including headliners Pedro Almodóvar, Andy Lau and Lee Byung-hun and Park Seo-jun.

“TIFF’s 2023 In Conversation With… series exemplifies our belief that film can ignite perspectives and fuel transformation,” said TIFF Chief Programming Officer Anita Lee. “We are delighted to welcome a powerhouse lineup of international iconoclasts from Spain, South Korea, and Hong Kong for film lovers of all genres.”

The 2023 lineup represents a global and diverse gathering which will weave together unique perspectives that contribute to shaping the global entertainment landscape.

Almodóvar will receive this year’s Jeff Skoll Award in Impact Media at the TIFF Tribute Awards. The Oscar-winning director of “All About My Mother,” “Talk to Her” and “Pain and Glory” will present the North American premiere of his short feature “Strange Way of Life.” The western romance, starring Ethan Hawke and Pedro Pascal,...

TIFF has begun announcing their Conversation With… (Icw) series for this year’s fest with Oscar winner Pedro Almodóvar, Hong Kong actor Andy Lau and Concrete Utopia Korean stars Lee Byung-hun and Park

Seo-jun set to sit down for chats.

“TIFF’s 2023 In Conversation With… series exemplifies our belief that film can ignite perspectives and fuel

transformation,” said Anita Lee, TIFF Chief Programming Officer. “We are delighted to welcome a powerhouse lineup of international iconoclasts from Spain, South Korea, and Hong Kong for film lovers of all genres.”

Almodóvar is already set to receive TIFF’s Jeff Skoll Award in Impact Media this year at the fest’s Tribute Awards. His short, Strange Way of Life, which played at Cannes, will also make its North American premiere at TIFF. Short follows the relationship between a sheriff (Ethan Hawke) and a rancher

(Pedro Pascal) and their shared past.

Concrete Utopia stars...

The best zombie stories center relatable every-people to root for in the ongoing apocalypse. Zombieverse, a new Korean unscripted TV series featuring people trying to survive a fictional zombie outbreak in Seoul, has an eclectic, mostly relatable cast of characters going for it (in addition to the truly remarkable stunt team).

Heading into this show, a Korean audience would be familiar with most if not all of these celebrity cast members, tipping the average viewer off to the fact that this is a reality show almost immediately. However, if you’re not part of the Korean audience—and you don’t regularly watch Korean variety shows—then you are probably, at least initially, at a loss.

The series begins with five celebrity hosts sitting on a couch, commenting on a fictional dating reality show mere feet away. Without warning, one of the dating show contestants starts mauling the neck of their potential love interest,...

Dream is a South Korean sports comedy-drama film written and directed by Lee Byeong-heon, starring Park Seo-jun and Lee Ji-eun (Iu).

‘Deurim’ (드림) means ‘dream’ in Korean and it was inspired by the real-life Homeless World Cup, which is an annual international football tournament for homeless people.

Dream

Would you like a fun movie, just like that? “Dream” has the perfect formula for the occasion, with a humor that is as special as it is absurd and charming.

And also a love story to sweeten the most sensitive spirits.

Synopsis

It revolves around Yoon Hong-dae, a football player, who receives disciplinary provision and is given the challenging job of coaching the national football team of homeless people for the Homeless World Cup.

About the movie

Two Korean film stars for this movie that, with the flag of insignificance and fleetingness, will give us an afternoon to enjoy this charming and different story,...

Park Seo-joon is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his leading roles in the television series Kill Me, Heal Me (2015), She Was Pretty (2015), Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth (2016–2017), Fight for My Way (2017), What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim (2018), and Itaewon Class (2020). He has also appeared in films such as The Chronicles of Evil (2015), Midnight Runners (2017), and The Divine Fury (2019).

What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim (2018)

Park Seo-joon was born in Seoul, South Korea. He attended Kyungpook National University, where he studied theater and film. After graduating from college, Park Seo-joon began his acting career in 2011. He made his debut in the music video for Bang Yong-guk’s single “I Remember”. He then appeared in supporting roles in television dramas such as Dream High 2 (2012) and Pots of Gold (2013).

Park Seo-joon’s breakthrough role came in 2015, when he starred in the television series Kill Me, Heal Me. He played the dual...

“After being worked to the bone at her office job, getting introduced to her longtime crush's new girlfriend, and dealing with her family's debt hanging over her head, Hari Shin's life seems to have hit rock bottom. Luckily, her friend Youngseo has a business proposal for her: go to an arranged date in her stead and Hari will receive a hefty compensation. Things grow complicated, however, when it turns out that the other party is Hari's new CEO—and he's dead-set on marrying whoever shows up to the date!” (Ize Press)

on Amazon by clicking on the image below

A dedicated fanbase has long revered the Korean rom-com for its sharp comedic wit combined with its ability to pack an emotional punch. Though most dominant in TV and film, this sentiment also extends to Manhwa, which has been steadily rising in popularity with the continued growth of...

“Vice Chairman Youngjun Lee and Secretary Miso Kim have been the star duo of their company for nine years…until Miso suddenly decides to quit! But Youngjun is smart, rich, and used to getting what he wants—and he wants Miso to stay. So when he discovers she's leaving in order to find a husband, the only logical way to keep her at his side is…offering to marry her?! Too bad she's just not that into him!” (Ize Press)

on Amazon by clicking on the image below

A modern romance tale taking place in the fast-paced world of the corporate elite, “What's Wrong with Secretary Kim?” certainly is not aiming for a story that will be massively relatable to its readership. Yet, the sharp writing and witty humor, combined with strong personas, make the modern romance tale quite an engaging piece of escapism.

Secretary Kim, in particular,...

Netflix has unveiled 34 new titles debuting on the platform in 2023, ranging from K-dramas and films to unscripted TV shows.

According to the platform, 60 of its users consumed Korean content last year and the demand continues to grow. Don Kang, VP of content for Korea, said: “The global popularity of K-content has continued apace over 2022, with Netflix bringing a wider variety of stories and genres to fans around the world. Over the last year, Korean series and films have regularly featured in our Global Top 10 list in more than 90 countries, and three of Netflix’s most-watched shows ever are from Korea.”

K-drama fans can expect new survival-themed series alongside the return of their favorites. Park Seo Joon partners with Han So Hee for the first time in “Gyeongsang Creature” (pictured), a monster thriller set in 1945, the darkest days of Korean history.

Elsewhere, sci-fi series “Black Knight” joins the lineup as we...

Korean actor Park Seo-joon will star in the upcoming superhero movie “The Marvels” to be released in July 2023.

He joins a growing roster of Korean talent that is joining Disney-backed content and was one of many Korean names dropped Wednesday at a Disney content showcase in Singapore.

Park is known for roles in TV series “What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim” and the 2020 drama “Itaewon Class.” He follows fellow Korean Claudia Kim in 2015’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron” and Korean American Ma Dong-seok (aka Don Lee) in 2021’s “Eternals” in Marvel-branded content. Earlier this month, “Squid Games” star Lee Jung-jae was announced as joining Star Wars series “The Acolyte,” for Disney +.

Korean stars Jung Haein, Ko Kyungpyo, Kim Hyejun attended the Singapore event in person. Stars Lee Donghwi and Heo Sungtae and director Kang Yunsung, all with upcoming Disney+ show “Big Bet,” put in an appearance. So too did Japanese director Miike Takashi,...

During the Yen Press Industry Panel at New York Comic Con 2022, Yen Press, LLC announced the acquisition of ten highly anticipated releases—a list that includes What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim?, the print edition of the 2015 webtoon of the same title, which was later adapted into a South Korean television series in 2018. This slate of Yen Press announcements includes new manga, novels (Sasaki and Miyano: First-Years; Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop; Spy Classroom Short Story Collection), manhwa (What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim?), and a fan book (Horimiya Memorial Book Page. 100).

Horimiya Memorial Book Page. 100

Story by Hero

Art by Daisuke Hagiwara

A snapshot of the sweet, “aww”-inspiring tale of school life!

Celebrating the first hundred chapters of Horimiya, collected in this memorial book are a treasure trove of original illustrations posted in commemoration of new chapter releases, a sneak peek at a few of the storyboards before they went to print…...

Korean media conglomerate, Cj Enm Tuesday announced the launch of a new production arm. It is expected to focus on producing content for exclusively streaming platforms in Korea and overseas.

The unit, named Cj Enm Studios, will be the group’s third TV production hub after drama production powerhouse Studio Dragon and U.S.-based premium global content firm, Endeavor Content, acquired earlier this year.

Cj Enm also controls the Tving streaming platform that sees itself as a challenger to Netflix within Korea and which also has ambitions to ride the Korean wave and build a significant overseas presence. Tving is seeking exclusive content rights. It recently increased its target for original shows to between 40 and 50 titles for 2022.

Cj Enm Studios will recruit talent and creators, and expand its presence through mergers and acquisition opportunities of top tier production companies, the group said. Its slate is expected to cover a...

South Korean indie studio More In Group is using Hong Kong FilMart to launch its new feature film project “19 39.”

Director Park Jae-ho is setting a quick turnaround for the comedy-drama movie which has not yet been filmed, but which he plans to release in summer this year.

The story, written by Kim Min-Jung transports five 39-year-old women back to their childhoods, to experience high school and first love. Their happy memories contrast with present day reality as women on the cusp of middle age. The clash forces them to reflect on the true meaning of love and friendship.

(A similar theme is explored in current Jtbc-Netflix series “Thirty Nine” with three women all age 39 who juggle work, life and relationships. It was also previously explored in 2011 hit film “Sunny”.)

Park has set Lee So-yeon (the lead of TV series “Ms. Montecristo”), Son Yeo-eun (“Crazy Romance”), Jeon Hye-bin, Jung Soo-young...

Although Asian Ott players have seen a big increase in viewership, speakers also discussed the challenging economics of streaming.

Coming right at the end of the year, this week’s Asia TV Forum & Market, which took place virtually from Singapore, reiterated may of the themes that we’ve been hearing globally throughout this Covid-hit year.

Speakers at the event’s ‘Mornings with Industry Leaders’ sessions agreed that the pandemic has just accelerated the trends that were already there, truncating into months the changes in consumer habits and business practices that were otherwise going to take a few years.

“We’re...

Romantic horror is co-produced with Korea’s Studio Dragon and Jtbc Studio.

iQiyi International, the Singapore-based international division of Chinese streamer iQiyi, has unveiled its first Korean original production, My Roommate Is A Gumiho (working title).

Co-produced with leading Korean TV producers Studio Dragon and Jtbc Studio, the romantic horror is based on popular Korean webtoon Living Together and written by Baek Sun-woo and Choi Bo-rim (What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim).

Directed by Nam Sung-woo (Kkondae Intern), the series will star Jang Ki Yong and Hyeri.

The story revolves around a fox spirit or ‘gumiho’ who has spent centuries trying...