• Lee Jong Suk and Han Hyo Joo’s ‘W’ Is Getting an American Remake

    The drama 'W' starring actors Lee Jong-seok and Han Hyo-joo is aimed at American small screens. It is scheduled to be remade through CBS, a representative local terrestrial broadcaster, and is expected to be counted as another example that proves the power of Korean dramas.

    According to the recent U.S. entertainment media Deadline, MBC signed a contract with CBS Studio for the rights to remake the drama 'W' in 2016. CBS previously promoted local remakes of some Korean dramas, such as 'Good Doctor' in 2014 and 'Neighborhood Lawyer Jo Deul-ho' in 2016.

    'W' is a drama depicting the romance and events that occur when a doctor accidentally gets sucked into a webtoon titled 'W' and meets the main character of the cartoon. The drama, starring Lee Jong-suk and Han Hyo-joo, recorded the highest viewership rating of 13.8% (Nielsen Korea) at the time of its airing, collecting topics.

    The American remake of 'W' seems to have benefited from the novel material and story of the original drama, such as winning the Special Jury Prize at the Houston International Film Festival in 2017 along with such popularity. In particular, Smart Dog Media, a local production company that showed the American version of MBC's 'King of Mask Singer' and Mnet's 'I Can See Your Voice' series, decided to make a remake drama, attracting another attention. Smart Dog Media has been recognized for its achievements by attracting the attention of local viewers with content utilizing the format of Korean broadcast programs.

    So much anticipation for the local remake of 'W'. This is especially true in that Korean dramas that actively utilize changes in the environment, such as the expansion of the OTT (Online Video Streaming Service) market, are attracting global attention with their planning power and universal story. Broadcasters see the American remake of 'W' as showing the power of Korean dramas on the same line.

    Source(1)

  • BLACKPINK’s Jisoo Secretly Helped Her Friend Get a Role? Choi Hee Jin Reveals How Their Friendship Led to a Cameo in ‘Newtopia’

    Actress Choi Hee Jin, who impressed viewers with her performance in Motel California, opened up about her close friendship with BLACKPINK’s Jisoo — and how it led to her special cameo in Newtopia.

    Choi Hee Jin recently wrapped up her role as veterinarian Yoon Nan Woo in MBC’s Motel California, which ended on February 15th.

    The actress met with reporters on February 14 at her agency, Saram Entertainment, to talk about her busy schedule and her unexpected role in Newtopia.

    The actress revealed that her cameo in Newtopia happened because of her bond with Jisoo, who stars as the female lead in the drama.

    “Before I signed with my current agency, when I wasn’t with any company, I was offered the role of Jisoo unnie’s best friend in *Snowdrop. Even before the director contacted me, Jisoo unnie had already told me about it”, Choi Hee Jin shared.

    She added, “The director knew about the chemistry Jisoo unnie and I had in *Snowdrop*. Even though the role was very small, they asked if I would be willing to make a cameo in *Newtopia. It really is a tiny part”, she said, smiling shyly.

    The actress emphasized that the opportunity felt special because it reflected her real-life friendship with Jisoo. “There was really no one else but me who fit the role as her close friend, so they asked if I could do it. It’s a very small part, but I was happy to do it”, she said.

    Choi Hee Jin also shared how touched she was by the love she still receives for her past work with Jisoo.

    “Jisoo unnie personally reached out to me too, and we’re still very close. But more than anything, I was grateful that people still remember me from *Snowdrop. Since I made a special appearance this time, I’d love to ask Jisoo unnie to return the favor with a cameo in one of my future projects”, she said with a laugh.

    Fans are loving the sweet friendship between the two actresses — and many are already hoping to see them share the screen again in a bigger project!

    Source: [1]