'O'PENing 2025' unveiled a diverse lineup that promises high immersion and fun, enough to make one forget the heat.
'O'PENing' is a short drama series on tvN created by CJ ENM and Studio Dragon that adapts the winning works of the O'PEN competition. CJ ENM's O'PEN program, which supports new creators, contains the meaning of 'open opportunity for creators' and is a comprehensive support project for discovering and nurturing new creators, encompassing all processes from content planning and development to production, scheduling, and business matching.
In particular, it has proven its competitiveness by being invited to prestigious international film festivals. Last year, five works including 'The Receiver', 'The Junkshop Mirani', 'Our Beautiful Summer', 'The Daughter of the Enthusiast', and 'My Son Died' received Platinum, Gold, and Silver awards at the 58th Houston International Film Festival, known as one of the three major film festivals in North America, establishing itself as a nurturing ground for new talent in the K-drama industry. Previously, in 2024, six works from 'O'PENing 2023', including 'Summer, Love Machine Blues', won a total of seven awards at domestic and international ceremonies, including a special jury award at the Houston International Film Festival.
Such projects, which have provided deep emotional resonance with their original and fresh settings and immersive stories every year, have generated warm interest and expectations from viewers for this year's 'O'PENing 2025', which marks its eighth anniversary. Accordingly, 'O'PENing 2025' is expected to deliver a profound emotional impact through five works by emerging writers, including 'Cat Custody War', 'The Speaker's Scarlet', 'My Daughter's Friend's Mother', 'The Lake of That Day', and 'Housekeeper'.
Firstly, 'Cat Custody War' (directed by Yoo Hak-chan / written by Ji Soo-hee), which will air on August 17 (Sunday) at 9:20 p.m., will mark the official start of 'O'PENing 2025'. The story portrays a couple on the verge of divorce who start a battle over the custody of their cat. Previously, Yoon Dujun and Kim Seul-ki teamed up in 'Pond Love', a story about transcendent love across time and space. Their reunion as a couple facing divorce after five years is drawing attention, focusing on the sweet yet intense romance of the two.
'My Daughter's Friend's Mother' (directed by Kim Na-kyung / written by Shin Yu-jung) is a human growth drama about a man who becomes a single, working dad due to sudden divorce, and unexpectedly meets his former subordinate Hee-jin again as 'my daughter's friend's mother' in front of a kindergarten. Jeon Seong-woo and Park Jin-joo had previously proven their perfect chemistry through the musical 'Ghost Bakery'. This time, they will showcase a unique acting transformation that has not been previously seen, portraying a realistic romance between a single working dad and a single working mom.
'The Speaker's Scarlet' (directed by Yoo Si-yeon / written by Kang Seul) tells the story of a daughter who had to be adopted to the United States immediately after birth, returning one day as a blonde named Scarlet. With veteran actors Oh Na-ra and Seo Young-hee at the center, the film 'Next So-hee', which swept the rookie award at domestic film festivals, is anticipated to have unique actors such as Kim Si-eun, who has been demonstrating her value as a scene-stealer in each work.
'The Lake of That Day' (directed by Lee Myung-jin / written by Seong Da-hye) tells the story of a teacher who investigates the truth behind an incident that occurred when a student died within 10 minutes while the teacher briefly left the classroom. Park Yu-rim, who has made a fresh impression on viewers through dramas such as 'Love Scout', 'Ballerina', and 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo', has been cast as the lead and is set to begin filming in early August.
Finally, 'Housekeeper' (directed by Jeong Woo-sik / written by Han Seol) is a story about unpredictable relationship changes caused by a mysterious housekeeper who enters the lives of two friends, who were once everything to each other. Recently, Yoon Sang-jeong has been gaining attention for her remarkable growth with outstanding acting skills and excellent character portrayal in the drama 'Study Group', and Kang Na-eun has been cast as an emerging youth star. Pre-production is currently underway, aiming to start filming in early September.
The production team of 'O'PENing 2025' noted, "We are delighted to present five fresh works from new O'PEN writers to viewers," and added, "The production team is doing its best to ensure that the diverse ideas and creative passion of the new writers, the directors' sensuous directing, and the actors' impressive performances shine even more, so we ask for your continued support and interest in 'O'PENing 2025' this year as well."
Meanwhile, 'O'PENing 2025' is scheduled to be released sequentially, beginning with 'Cat Custody War', which will air on August 17 (Sunday) at 9:20 p.m.
[Photo] Provided by CJ ENM
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