Japanese broadcaster Asahi Broadcasting Group Holdings Corporation (ABC Japan) made a deal for the Drama Joint Development partnership with Korean premium content production studio, Imaginus Co., Ltd. (Imaginus), through Asahi Television Broadcasting Corporation (ABC TV). The two parties will enhance their production expertise through regular workshops in Osaka, Tokyo, and Seoul. These workshops will bring together the talents of Japan and Korea to develop new hit dramas for the Japanese market and to capture the global audience.
In addition to reputed variety shows, ABC TV has positioned drama as a new pillar of its content business. From April 2023, its nationwide network drama series are airing for the first time in 28 years. ABC TV focuses on the original dramas-centered policy, which applied Japan's leading screenwriters, rich in creativity, in past series. In this partnership, ABC TV develops brand-new Japanese drama series, which can also travel around the world, with Imaginus: Korea's best group of creators, including producers, directors, and screenwriters.
Imaginus is a global content production studio founded by former Studio Dragon CEO Jinnie Choi. The studio is creating a number of works, including “Can this LOVE BE TRANSLATED?” and realized the series widely accepted not only in Japan but also overseas. This partnership is also the first attempt at full-scale drama development with a Japanese broadcaster.
Mr. Jun Iwata, ABC TV, Director for Content Production, says: “We are thrilled about this partnership with Imaginus, the best creative team in Korea. I strongly believe the creative chemistry between the two companies will create a totally new style of drama, neither simply Korean nor Japanese, and this new creation will deliver a story that attracts firstly Japanese audience, but all over the world," commented.
FInally, Ms. Jinnie Choi, CEO of Imaginus, says: “I feel that it is very significant that both companies were able to establish a partnership between Korea and Japan through content. We are also very pleased to have the opportunity to collaborate with creators of ABC TV, who are producing many hit contents in Japan. Based on the know-how of both companies, we will create stories that can deliver new and differentiated emotions to Japanese viewers," noted.
