Kakao Entertainment Unveils Ambitious 2025 Lineup as a Global Studio

On February 18, 2025, Kakao Entertainment (co-CEOs Kwon Ki-soo and Jang Yoon-jung) announced an impressive lineup of well-crafted projects featuring super IP originals and global star actors, showcasing their aspirations as a global studio. The company aims to solidify its position in the industry through a diverse array of well-made productions, including adaptations of popular story IPs and highly anticipated works from trusted South Korean actors. Following the establishment of a stable multi-studio system and a proven track record in media competitiveness, Kakao Entertainment plans to enhance its influence as a global studio by presenting a wealth of high-quality productions this year.

Kakao Entertainment is accelerating its IP crossover projects, which involve planning and producing dramas based on popular webtoons and web novels. Previous successes like 'In-House Match' (사내맞선), 'Nam Nam' (남남), and 'The Call' (지금 거신 전화는) have demonstrated the appeal of these adaptations, garnering explosive popularity both domestically and internationally. This year, the company is set to release more well-crafted dramas based on its popular webtoons, aiming to satisfy both original fans and drama enthusiasts.

One of the upcoming highlights is the new MBC weekend drama 'Bunny and Brothers' (바니와 오빠들), premiering in April. This romantic comedy follows Bunny, who, after a disastrous first love, finds herself entangled with charming men. The series features rising stars such as Noh Jung-ui, Lee Chae-min, and Jo Jun-young, and is based on a Kakao webtoon that has amassed over 170 million views, promising a refreshing campus romance this spring.

In the second quarter, Netflix will release the series 'Bad Relationship' (악연), a crime thriller that intertwines the fates of six individuals caught in an inescapable web of misfortune. Starring Park Hae-soo, Shin Min-a, Lee Hee-joon, Kim Sung-kyu, Lee Kwang-soo, and Gong Seung-yeon, this adaptation is also based on a Kakao webtoon and is highly anticipated due to Kakao Entertainment's proven production capabilities.

On February 27, the exclusive series 'Secret Relationship' (비밀 사이) will debut on Watcha, featuring a passionate romance involving a woman unable to live a normal life and three men who seek to control her through their secrets.

Kakao Entertainment is also set to release several projects featuring beloved actors that have garnered attention from both domestic and international fans. The Netflix series 'Fool Me Once' (폭싹 속았수다), premiering on March 7, tells the adventurous life story of a rebellious girl and a foolish boy, with a star-studded cast including IU, Park Bo-gum, Moon So-ri, and Park Hae-joon.

Disney+'s original series 'Nine Puzzle' (나인 퍼즐), featuring Kim Da-mi and Son Seok-koo, is expected to release in the first half of the year. This mystery thriller revolves around a profiler and a detective who delve into a series of murders linked to a cold case from a decade ago.

In the third quarter, Netflix will unveil 'Eun-jung and Sang-yeon' (은중과 상연), a story about two friends entangled in a complex relationship filled with love, jealousy, and resentment. Additionally, SBS will air 'Praying Mantis' (사마귀), featuring Go Hyun-jung and Jang Dong-yoon, which follows a woman imprisoned for being a serial killer and the new murders that mimic her past.

Kakao Entertainment is also generating buzz with the upcoming MBC drama '21st Century Grand Duke's Wife' (21세기 대군 부인), starring IU and Byun Woo-seok, set to begin filming this year. The story explores a romance between a wealthy heiress frustrated by her commoner status and a prince who has nothing.

In theaters, films featuring renowned actors are also making waves. The horror film 'The Black Nuns' (검은 수녀들), released in January, has surpassed 1.6 million viewers in South Korea and is gaining popularity abroad, particularly in Indonesia and the Philippines.

Kakao Entertainment is also preparing fresh and engaging variety shows. The talk show 'Choo Rai Choo Rai' (추라이 추라이), hosted by Choo Sung-hoon, will premiere on Netflix on February 26, while the reality show 'I Want to Date Even Though I'm a Virgin' (모태솔로지만 연애는 하고 싶어) will help socially awkward singles navigate their first relationships.

Kakao Entertainment stated, "We will continue to produce and present well-made content with fresh and diverse themes and genres that satisfy both domestic and global audiences, thereby enhancing our competitiveness as a global studio and expanding the global influence of K-content."