Upping the K-content ante

Those who can't get enough of binge-watching movies and series on Netflix, especially fans of K-drama, should be delighted to know that the global streaming giant is planning to expand its involvement in the Korean film and TV industries in 2020 by greenlighting several new shows, including high-profile drama thriller Extracurricular, coming to your screen on April 29.

With the success of last year's Crash Landing On You, a rom-com about the love between two people from North and South Korea that made the top 10 list across Asian countries, the rise of K-streaming continues this year with the return of the big-budget zombie period series Kingdom Season 2, and the teen drama Itaewon Class about an ex-con and his friend who revolt against an irrational world.

Now, the streaming service has revealed its latest slate of Korean content in genres spanning reality and crime to sci-fi, alongside romance and drama -- perfect timing especially as people are hunkering down at home. Life recently spoke with Minyoung Kim, Netflix's vice-president for Korean content, via video conference on the latest updates and what Thai audiences can look forward to on the K-drama horizon this year.

Can you talk about Netflix's views on and approaches to diversity in content?

I think this can be achieved in two different pillars in parallel. Number one is we are going to continue to find the best shows, working with our existing partners like Studio Dragon, JTBC, and all other partners, but that's going to be one pillar, continuing to bring those top romance, or romance plus titles. Another pillar would be 'white space', bringing shows that our audiences have never been able to see before in the traditional system, and we believe this is where the diversity is going to come.

Could you give an example of a new show?

Sure, in the traditional system Korean content has mostly been what our audiences in Thailand pretty much know as romance shows. So Netflix wants to make sure that we bring the best in class for Korean content plus more diverse shows to our audiences in Thailand. With shows like Kingdom, in terms of scale, and new shows such as Extracurricular, in terms of subject matter, and Sweet Home in terms of new storyline.

Also, The School Nurse Files, which is a female-led hero show. So these are all very different types of shows you wouldn't normally see in the traditional system.

What can you tell us about the upcoming series Extracurricular?

We're very excited to have Extracurricular on our platform soon. The launch date is April 29, and it's the story of a student named Oh Jisoo who has a humble dream of graduating high school, college, and getting a stable job and family. But in the process of trying to achieve that dream, he has chosen a life of a crime to earn money. And this exposes him to a lot of risk and danger, and he has to face certain consequences in trying to fix the life he has chosen. The reason we are more excited about this show is because it was created by a new writer, and features a new ensemble cast.

Itaewon Class features very diverse characters (transgender, different races) -- can a quality show like this help create new values or mindsets in society?

I think what the Korean creative community is trying to do is not to change society but reflect that society and make sure we shed light onto some of those groups that are not in the spotlight and also support those diverse groups of people, making sure they are a part of our lives, and they're in this spotlight together. We're not trying to influence or impact anyone, but make sure we tell stories that are genuine and authentic.

Over recent years, 'web dramas' or online TV series have been very popular among younger generations in South Korea, what are the differences between those web dramas and Korean Netflix originals?

The existing web dramas are mostly very short-form, that's good for very quick consumption, and targeted at a very young demographic, whereas with Netflix shows, we want to be able to create a show/story in the right format, at the right length that people can watch and enjoy on mobile or sit back and relax and watch on TV as well. Our shows, compared to the web dramas, tend to be a little more diverse, a little longer. The audiences can tune in and be more immersed in the stories. Also, our target audiences and how they consume are very different.

As Netflix has now expanded globally, how has your strategy changed concerning original Korean content, in crafting stories, characters or casting?

I wouldn't necessarily say that there is a change. We're at a very early stage and we are a very driven data company. We really do have to rely on our insights. For the past couple of years, we've been leaning into strategies based on our insights and hypotheses, and we realised that it's actually paying off really well.

With shows like Kingdom and Crash Landing On You, we have successfully expanded our audience base beyond just the K-content fans and are still also able to bring shows that appeal to the bigger Korean-content fans.

Covid-19 has been keeping people home. Are there any messages to support people in this difficult period?

It is a difficult time, and our hearts go out to our families, friends, and colleagues around the world. In Korea, we've been living with the coronavirus for a long time. In this time of difficulty, at least we hope our content can bring a little bit of joy to our audiences.

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WHAT'S UP NEXT?

Rugal

Now streamingCast: Choi Jin-hyuk, Park Sung-woong

Kang Gi-beom was a promising police detective in the violent crimes unit who was suspected of murdering his own wife. His eyes were slashed with a razor after he witnessed her murder at the hands of the terrorist group ARGOS. Just when he thinks he has lost everything, he is approached by Choi Geun-cheol, the chief executive director of Rugal, a special organisation dedicated to the sole purpose of eradicating ARGOS. Choi requests that Gi-beom receive an artificial eye transplant and joins Rugal. After miraculously surviving the risky transplant operation, Gi-beom is born again as a human weapon. He begins to take revenge on ARGOS for everything they have done to him.

Extracurricular

Premiere Date: April 29Cast: Kim Dong-hee, Jung Da-bin, Park Joo-hyun

Extracurricular is the story of high school students who have chosen a life of crime to earn money, and those who are threatened by extreme risk as a result. Oh Jisoo ends up committing a serious crime because of his determination to make college tuition money on his own, by any means. Seo Minhee gets caught up in Jisoo's crime, while Jisoo's schoolmate Bae Gyuri also becomes involved in the same crime. Their bad choices come with irreversible consequences. There is no more turning back. A life of crime and violence awaits them.

The King: Eternal Monarch

Premiere Date: April 17Cast: Lee Min-ho, Kim Go-eun, Woo Do-hwan, Kim Kyung-nam, Jung Eun-chae

This is a romantic fantasy drama that takes the genre to a whole new level. The series revolves around the relationships of people from two parallel universes. King Lee Gon seeks to seal the gateway between dimensions, while Jung Tae-eul, a police inspector, simply wants to protect others' lives and loved ones. The King: Eternal Monarch is written by Kim Eun-suk (Guardian: The Lonely And Great God, Mr. Sunshine, Descendants Of The Sun) and directed by Baek Sang-hoon (Secret, Who Are You: School 2015 and Descendants Of The Sun) and Jeong Jee-hyun.

It's Okay To Not Be Okay

Premiere Date: JuneCast: Kim Soo-hyun, Seo Ye-ji

It's Okay To Not Be Okay is about an unusual romance between two people who end up healing each other's emotional and psychological wounds. Moon Gang-tae, played by Kim Soo-hyun (My Love From The Star, The Moon Embracing The Sun), is a caretaker working at a psychiatric ward who does not even bother to believe in love. He seems to be carrying all the weight and pain in life, and devotes himself only to looking after his disabled older brother. Go Moon-young, played by Seo Ye-ji (Save Me, Lawless Lawyer), is a children's author who is clueless about love. She is popular among all age groups, yet very antisocial and indifferent to others.

Twogether

Premiere Date: TBACast: Lee Seung-gi, Jasper Liu

Two top celebrities from Seoul and Taipei go on a trip to several cities in Asia to meet their fans and become friends.

The School Nurse Files

Premiere Date: TBACast: Jung Yu-mi, Nam Joo-hyuk

A newly-appointed high school nurse discovers secrets and mysteries with her supernatural ability of chasing ghosts.

Sweet Home

Premiere Date: TBACast: Song Kang, Lee Jin-wook, Lee Si-young

Hyun-soo, a reclusive high school student, moves into an old apartment complex called Green Home after the tragic death of his entire family. Feeling hopeless for the future, he realises Green Home residents, including himself, are trapped and surrounded by monsters of distorted human desires, which are about to sweep away mankind.