Kakao Entertainment (hereinafter Kakao Enter) is continuing its popularity with new releases in the second half of the year, having gained global popularity in the first half with well-made works such as 'When Life Gives You Tangerines', 'Karma', and 'Nine Puzzles'.
Kakao Enter is solidifying its position as a global studio by strengthening its organic synergy and IP crossover competitiveness between its headquarters and production labels based on a stable studio system. Among the 11 Korean works that made it to the Netflix TOP 100 series based on viewership in the first half of this year, three works from Kakao Enter are 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' (19th place/34,800,000 views), 'When the Phone Rings' (77th place/14,300,000 views), and 'Karma' (92nd place/12,700,000 views). (According to the Netflix 'Engagement Report,' viewership is calculated by dividing viewing hours by the running time of the work.)
'Karma' and 'When the Phone Rings' are works produced directly from webtoons and web novels of the same name by Kakao Enter, adding not only the fun of the original works but also the unique enjoyment of the dramas, proving Kakao Enter's IP crossover know-how. In particular, 'Karma' was jointly produced by Kakao Enter, Film Company Wolgwang, and Baram Pictures, showcasing the organic synergy between headquarters and production labels and garnering attention. Baram Pictures was recognized for both artistic quality and commercial success with 'When Life Gives You Tangerines', co-produced with Fan Entertainment, in addition to 'Karma' and 'When the Phone Rings.' Film Company Wolgwang also proved its excellent production capabilities across dramas and films with the movie 'Victory', followed by the Disney+ original series 'Nine Puzzles', which has been well-received. Film House also recorded 1.67 million cumulative viewers with the movie 'Dark Nuns', selling in over 160 countries and revitalizing the theaters earlier this year.
Kakao Enter plans to captivate domestic and international viewers with distinctive new works in the second half of the year. It aims to present works with fresh subjects and genres alongside reliable actors known for their solid acting skills and unique presence, such as Go Hyun-jung, Lee Young-ae, and Kim Goeun.
First, on September 5, the new SBS Friday-Saturday drama 'The Mantis: Original Sin' (directed by Byun Young-joo, written by Lee Young-jong, planned by Studio S) will premiere. This work, produced by the studio label Megamonster and Merry Christmas, along with the film production company Boim, depicts a high-density crime thriller where a detective engages in an unexpected collaboration with his mother, known as the brutal serial killer 'Mantis,' after 20 years since her capture, during which copycat crimes occur.
Go Hyun-jung will play Jeong Yi-shin, the serial killer known as 'Mantis', transitioning between allure and eeriness, while Jang Dong-yoon will portray Cha Su-yeol, a detective who conducts an investigation in collaboration with his mother, the serial killer 'Mantis', demonstrating fearless action and a wide range of emotional performances. Expectations are rising regarding the shocking story that the two actors will portray, meeting as the serial killer's mother and the police son, creating an unprecedented relationship.
Kakao Enter-produced Netflix series 'You and Everything Else' (directed by Cho Young-min, written by Song Hye-jin) will be released simultaneously in over 190 countries on September 12. The series revolves around the intertwined lives of two friends, Eun-jung and Sang-yeon, who love and envy each other deeply, capturing every moment of their lives filled with separations and reunions from their teens to their 40s.
Kim Goeun will play the role of Ryu Eun-jung, who appears ordinary yet has a special charm that draws people in with her honesty, while Park Ji-hyun will take on the role of Cheon Sang-yeon, who is intelligent and naturally talented but has always envied Eun-jung. The plan is to delicately portray the complex inner lives of these two characters, who were the most precious to each other over decades yet grew apart.
On September 20, KBS2TV's new weekend mini-series 'Walking On Thin Ice' (directed by Song Hyun-wook, written by Jeon Young-shin) will premiere. 'Walking On Thin Ice' is a dangerous and desperate account of a parent, Kang Eun-soo, who wishes to protect her family and a two-faced teacher, Lee Kyung, who inadvertently acquires a bag of drugs. Lee Young-ae will portray the ordinary housewife Kang Eun-soo, who finds herself in extreme situations, expressing her character's depth with a solid yet profound emotional line, showcasing her unique presence once again.
Kim Young-kwang will take on the role of Lee Kyung, who works as an after-school art instructor during the day and a mysterious club MD at night. As a key character who leads the tension in the story by traversing the boundaries of good and evil, he is expected to attract attention with his intriguing character, which has a subtle emotional line that is cold and difficult to read. Notably, this work is produced by Baram Pictures, which gained high popularity among domestic and global viewers with 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' and 'Karma' in the first half of this year, alongside Slingshot Studio, heightening expectations.
[Photo] SBS, Netflix, KBS
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