Kakao Entertainment (co-CEOs Kwon Ki-soo and Jang Yoon-jung) has unveiled its lineup of well-made works featuring popular story IPs and global star actors, further solidifying its position as a global studio. The plan includes not only IP crossovers through the adaptation of popular story IPs into dramas but also various well-made works featuring 'trustworthy' leading actors from South Korea, aiming to continue the popularity of K-dramas and K-movies in both domestic and global markets. Kakao Entertainment has established a stable multi-studio system with its excellent creative studio subsidiaries and actor management labels with global fandoms, proving its competitiveness in the media business. This year, it plans to showcase a plethora of dazzling well-made works, further enhancing its influence as a global studio.
# Producing Well-Made Dramas Based on Story IPs to Prove IP Crossover Synergy and Expand IP Fandom
Kakao Entertainment is accelerating its IP crossover project, planning and producing dramas based on popular webtoons and web novels, set to launch in 2025. Previously, Kakao Entertainment has planned and produced dramas based on its story IPs, such as 'Office Romance', 'Namnam', and 'The Call You Just Made', gaining explosive popularity both domestically and globally by adding the charm of the original works along with unique fun exclusive to the dramas. This year, Kakao Entertainment plans to present well-made dramas based on its popular webtoons, satisfying both original fans and drama fans alike.
The new MBC Friday-Saturday drama 'Bunny and Brothers', directed by Kim Ji-hoon and written by Seong So-eun and Lee Seul, will premiere in April. It tells the story of Bunny, who, after a disastrous first love, suddenly finds herself entangled with charming men in her quest for a boyfriend. Youth stars such as Noh Jung-ui, Lee Chae-min, and Jo Joon-young will appear. Based on the Kakao webtoon of the same name, which has accumulated 170 million views, this spring's fresh and vibrant campus romance is expected to excite viewers. The Netflix series 'Bad Relationship', set to be released in the second quarter, is a crime thriller directed and written by Lee Il-hyung, produced by Film Company Wolgwang, Baram Pictures, and Kakao Entertainment. It depicts the intertwined stories of six individuals caught in an inescapable bad relationship, featuring Park Hae-soo, Shin Min-a, Lee Hee-joon, Kim Sung-kyun, Lee Kwang-soo, and Gong Seung-yeon. This series is also based on a Kakao webtoon, and Kakao Entertainment is expected to produce it alongside its studio labels, which have proven their production capabilities with various global hits. On February 27, 'Secret Relationship', created by Jeong Soo-yoon, directed by Yang Kyung-hee, and written by Lee Yoo-jin, will be exclusively released on Watcha as a new exclusive series. It is a passionate romance between Daon, who cannot live a normal life, and three men who try to seize him using their secrets, drawing attention from original fans.
# Anticipated Works Featuring 'Trustworthy' Actors to Stimulate Viewing Desire of Drama and Movie Fans
Anticipated works featuring 'trustworthy' actors, which have garnered attention from both domestic and international fans, are set to be released in 2025. The Netflix series 'Fool Me Once', which unfolds the adventurous life of 'the rebellious girl' Aesoon and 'the foolish iron' Gwan-sik through the four seasons, will premiere on March 7. It will be released weekly on Fridays, with four episodes over four weeks. This project features a star-studded cast including IU, Park Bo-gum, Moon So-ri, and Park Hae-joon, along with writer Lim Sang-chun of 'When the Camellia Blooms' and 'Fight for My Way', and director Kim Won-seok of 'Misaeng', 'Signal', and 'My Mister'. The original series 'Nine Puzzle' on Disney+, featuring the collaboration of Kim Da-mi and Son Seok-koo, is set to be released in the first half of this year. It is a mystery thriller that unravels the secrets of a serial murder case that begins again with the only witness and current profiler Lee Na, who was suspected as a suspect by the strong team detective Han Saem. This is the second series presented by director Yoon Jong-bin, raising expectations. In the third quarter, the Netflix series 'Eun-jung and Sang-yeon', featuring Kim Go-eun and Park Ji-hyun, will be released. It tells the story of two friends, Eun-jung and Sang-yeon, who are intertwined throughout their lives, loving, longing, envying, and hating each other. The delicate 'woman's romance' between the two actors is expected to unfold. The SBS drama 'Mantis', featuring Go Hyun-jung and Jang Dong-yoon as a mother and son, will also air this year. The story revolves around a woman who was imprisoned as a serial killer long ago, and someone begins a series of murders imitating her. Additionally, the MBC drama '21st Century Great Lady' (tentative title), featuring IU and Byun Woo-seok, has generated buzz even with just the casting news. It aims to start filming this year for a 2025 broadcast. Set in a constitutional monarchy in the 21st century in South Korea, it tells the story of a woman who is a wealthy heiress but is frustrated by her status as a mere 'commoner', and a prince who has nothing and is a sad man, exploring themes of class and romance. Other works, including KBS2's 'Eun-soo's Good Day' featuring Lee Young-ae, Kim Young-kwang, and Park Yong-woo, are also in the pipeline. KBS2's drama 'Eun-soo's Good Day', directed by Song Hyun-wook and written by Jeon Young-shin, deals with a secretive and precarious partnership between a parent and a teacher that begins with a bag discovered by chance.
Films featuring renowned actors are also invigorating the cinema scene. The film 'The Black Nuns', which premiered in January, directed by Kwon Hyuk-jae and produced by Film Company Jip, tells the story of people who embark on a forbidden ritual to save a boy possessed by a powerful evil spirit. With a solid story and the passionate performances of actors such as Song Hye-kyo, Jeon Yeo-bin, and Lee Jin-wook, it has surpassed 1.6 million viewers domestically and is also gaining popularity abroad. In Indonesia, it has surpassed 1 million viewers, creating a box office phenomenon, and in the Philippines, it topped the box office for two consecutive weeks after its release. Recently, the crime thriller 'Broken', featuring Ha Jung-woo and Kim Nam-gil, has also been released, meeting audiences on screen. The story follows Min-tae's furious pursuit to uncover the truth of that night, entangled with the return of his brother's corpse, the disappearance of his wife, and a bestselling novel that predicted the incident. Additionally, Lee Byung-hun's 'The Match', which is set to be released in theaters on March 26, is generating excitement with its explosive performance. The story follows the legendary Go player Cho Hun-hyeon (played by Lee Byung-hun) as he challenges himself to reach the top again after losing to his disciple, showcasing his innate competitive spirit.
# Kakao Entertainment's Variety Shows Armed with Fresh Humor and Fun Are Ready to Launch
Freshly themed and planned variety content is also on standby this year. The talk show 'Chulai Chulai', where Choo Sung-hoon explores guests in his own style, will be released on Netflix starting February 26, with new episodes every Wednesday at 5 PM. Choo Sung-hoon's challenge as a talk show MC is gaining attention among the MZ generation. Additionally, the Netflix variety show 'I Want to Date Even Though I'm a Virgin' (directed by Jo Wook-hyung, Kim No-eun, Won Seung-jae), set to be released in the first half of the year, is a makeover dating reality show that helps virgins who are clumsy in love experience their first romance, sparking curiosity among dating reality fans with its unique approach.
Kakao Entertainment stated, "We will continue to produce and present well-made content with fresh and diverse themes and genres that can satisfy both domestic and global viewers, strengthening Kakao Entertainment's competitiveness as a global studio and expanding the global influence of K-content."
