Studio Dragon, the premium storyteller group, is officially venturing into Japanese drama production following its production of K-dramas and U.S. dramas.
Studio Dragon noted, "In June, we will release the Japanese drama 'Marry My Husband' (original title: 私の夫と結婚して) through Amazon's video streaming service Prime Video, and in July, we will unveil the Japan-Korea co-produced drama 'HAATZ' (original title: 愛DOGs) created in collaboration with Japanese broadcaster TBS. Furthermore, in August, the Netflix series 'Soul Mate' (original title: ソウルメイト) will be available globally," adding, "We plan to continuously introduce global intellectual properties that merge the strengths of K-dramas with local dramas, especially in the U.S. and Japan."
The Japanese version of 'Marry My Husband', which will be unveiled globally through Prime Video on June 27, is a drama that is not a remake of the Korean drama but is a new adaptation of the original web novel in line with Japanese sensibilities. Studio Dragon and CJ ENM JAPAN are planning it, while the film production company Jiyurol Pictures, known for the movie 'You Are the Apple of My Eye', and the prominent Japanese production company Shochiku are responsible for production. PD Son Ja-young of Studio Dragon, who oversaw the Korean version of 'Marry My Husband', and PD Lee Sang-hwa of CJ ENM's global content production team will serve as the executive producers for the Japanese version, showcasing the production capabilities of K-dramas.
Studio Dragon planned this project well in advance, beginning in the spring of 2023, before presenting the Korean version of 'Marry My Husband'. After the conclusion of the Korean version early last year, the production team began the actual production of the Japanese version, traveling between Korea and Japan, and starting in January of this year, the producers have been dispatched to Japan to focus on the final touches before the release.
The Japanese drama 'HAATZ', which is set to premiere on TBS in July, is a Japan-Korea co-production created in collaboration with one of Japan's five major terrestrial broadcasters, TBS. It is a healing romance drama that portrays the journey of a Korean conglomerate heir, a Japanese veterinarian, and a lawyer, who build friendships and heal wounds amidst conflicts surrounding a pet dog with a huge secret. Aiko Hanamura, who claims that love is an illusion while working as a divorce lawyer but deep down wishes to believe in love, is played by Kiyohara Kaya, while the kind but distant veterinarian Kai Shirosaki is portrayed by Narita Ryo, and Woo Seohak, a seemingly carefree third-generation conglomerate hiding immense capabilities and has moved from Korea to Japan, is played by Na In-woo. Producer Kim Kyore of Studio Dragon is participating as a collaborative producer and writer, alongside director Noh Young-seop, who directed tvN's 'It's No Use to Lie' and won a Silver Remi Award at the International Houston Film Festival for the tvN short drama 'Walk'.
In August, the Japanese drama 'Soul Mate', produced by Studio Dragon's subsidiary G-Tist, will be released globally through Netflix. The Netflix series 'Soul Mate' tells the story of Ryu, who left everything behind to escape to Japan, where he is saved by Johan at a foreign church, and explores the healing and comforting journey of two people, who struggled with an uncertain future, over the span of ten years set against the backdrop of Berlin, Seoul, and Tokyo. Acclaimed actor Isomura Hayato plays Ryu Narutaki, while Ok Taec-yeon, who gained immense popularity in Japan through the drama 'Vincenzo', takes on the role of Hwang Yo-han. The script and direction are handled by Hashizume ?��ki?, who is actively involved in various activities as a novelist, screenwriter, director, and creator in Japan.
With this, Studio Dragon has become a studio producing drama intellectual properties simultaneously in Korea, the U.S., and Japan. This is part of an effort to expand the reach of the K-drama industry by combining the strengths of K-dramas with capable overseas creators. In collaboration with the U.S. production company Skydance, Studio Dragon introduced the U.S. drama 'The Big Door Prize' in 2023 through Apple TV+, which received critical acclaim and is set to return for a second season in 2024.
A representative from Studio Dragon stated, "The U.S. drama 'The Big Door Prize', the Japanese dramas 'Marry My Husband', 'HAATZ', and 'Soul Mate', are all examples of how a Korean production company has directly created dramas in local languages to expand K-drama's global territory, rather than just investing in production costs or selling remake rights for overseas dramas. Japan has a large drama market, and the lifespan of hit intellectual properties can last decades, making it an attractive market. Studio Dragon plans to incorporate its global success experience into locally produced dramas in Japan."
[Photo] (Above) Poster of the Japanese version of 'Marry My Husband', (Below) Cast of 'HAATZ'.
[OSEN]