Kakao Entertainment, What's Next After 'Poksak Sokassuda' and 'Akyon'? New Works by Lee Young-ae, Go Hyun-jung, and Kim Go-eun

[Financial News] Kakao Entertainment, which gained global popularity in the first half of the year with well-made works such as 'Poksak Sokassuda', 'Akyon', and 'Nine Puzzle', will continue its success in the second half by collaborating with trusted actors.
According to Kakao Entertainment on the 13th, among the 11 Korean works that made it to Netflix's Top 100 series based on viewership in the first half of the year, three works are from Kakao Entertainment: 'Poksak Sokassuda' (19th place/34.8 million views), 'The Call You Are Making Now' (77th place/14.3 million views), and 'Akyon' (92nd place/12.7 million views). Viewership refers to the value obtained by dividing the viewing time by the running time of the work, according to Netflix's 'Engagement Report'.
'Akyon' and 'The Call You Are Making Now' are works that Kakao Entertainment directly produced into dramas based on webtoons and web novels of the same name, proving Kakao Entertainment's IP crossover know-how by adding differentiated fun unique to dramas, in addition to the fun of the original works. In particular, 'Akyon' attracted attention by showcasing the organic synergy between the head office and production labels, with Kakao Entertainment, Film Company Wolgwang, and Baram Pictures jointly producing it.
Baram Pictures was recognized for both artistry and box office success with 'Poksak Sokassuda', co-produced with Fan Entertainment, in addition to 'Akyon' and 'The Call You Are Making Now'. Film Company Wolgwang also proved its excellent production capabilities by receiving love for the movie 'Match' following 'Akyon', and the Disney+ original series 'Nine Puzzle' produced with Kakao Entertainment, crossing between dramas and movies.
Film Company Jip also recorded 1.67 million cumulative viewers with the movie 'Black Nuns' and sold it to 160 countries worldwide, bringing vitality to theaters early this year.


Kakao Entertainment plans to captivate domestic and international viewers in the second half with distinctive new works. With 'trustworthy' actors like Go Hyun-jung, Lee Young-ae, and Kim Go-eun, who have solid acting skills and unique presence, they plan to present works with fresh materials and genres.
First, on September 5th, SBS's new Friday-Saturday drama 'Samagwi: Murderer's Outing' (directed by Byun Young-joo, written by Lee Young-jong, planned by Studio S) will premiere. The work is produced by the studio label Mega Monster, Merry Christmas, and the film production company Boim. It is a high-density crime thriller where a detective, who has hated his mother for life, collaborates with her, the 'Samagwi', to solve a copycat crime that occurs 20 years after the capture of the brutal serial killer 'Samagwi' (played by Go Hyun-jung). Jang Dong-yoon plays the role of detective Cha Soo-yeol.
The Netflix series 'Eunjung and Sangyeon' (directed by Jo Young-min, written by Song Hye-jin) produced by Kakao Entertainment will be released simultaneously in over 190 countries globally on September 12th. It tells the story of two friends, Eunjung and Sangyeon, who have been intertwined throughout their lives, liking and admiring each other the most at every moment, yet also feeling jealousy and hatred. The story of their lives, which have gone through several separations and reunions from their teens, 20s, 30s, to 40s, will unfold like a panorama. Kim Go-eun plays 'Ryu Eunjung', who seems ordinary but has a special charm that attracts people with her honesty, while Park Ji-hyun plays 'Cheon Sangyeon', who is smart and talented but has always envied Eunjung despite growing up without any lack.
On September 20th, KBS2TV's new weekend mini-series 'Eunsu's Good Day' (directed by Song Hyun-wook, written by Jeon Young-shin) will premiere. 'Eunsu's Good Day' is a dangerous and desperate partnership diary of a parent, Kang Eunsu, who wants to protect her family, and a teacher with two faces, Lee Kyung, who accidentally obtain a bag of drugs. Lee Young-ae plays the role of Kang Eunsu, an ordinary housewife driven to the edge. Kim Young-kwang plays Lee Kyung, who is an after-school art instructor by day and a mysterious club MD by night. Baram Pictures, known for 'Poksak Sokassuda' and 'Akyon', co-produced it with Slingshot Studio.

jashin@fnnews.com Shin Jin-a Reporter