bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

sponsorType

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

factSheets

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

copyrighted

customTimezone

liveContents

The Korea Times

By Lee Gyu-lee
About half a year has passed since Extraordinary Attorney Woo shot to popularity around the world. The legal drama series topped Netflix’s streaming chart for non-English television shows for nine weeks after its release in June 2022.
Now, Extraordinary Attorney Woo is being turned into a franchise and – according to chief executive and co-founder Lee Sang-baek – the series’ production company, AStory, is expecting it to be one of the biggest successes in its history.
“Our priority right now is the US remake of the series, because of its huge market,” Lee said. “There are about 10 other countries [considering remakes]. The web-comic adaptation launched in the US at the end of last year and we saw a positive outcome. And we also have a musical adaptation under way.”

“As the deals are still coming through, I can’t fully disclose [details], but I expect the greatest success of all time.”
The series, about a young lawyer who is on the autism spectrum and tackling challenges in and out of the courtroom, was recently nominated for the best foreign language series at the 28th Critics’ Choice Awards held in January.
‘I like and enjoy this hardship’: Alchemy of Souls’ Lee Jae-wook on acting
Although it failed to secure the win – which went to another Korean-language contender, Pachinko – the nomination was proof of the studio’s potential in the global marketplace, especially in the US.
Founded in 2004, the production studio has given birth to some major shows, such as the 2016 thriller crime series Signal, the 2019 apocalyptic horror series Kingdom and the variety show SNL Korea.
The chief executive said that his previous experience with Netflix’s Kingdom has helped him understand the market and find the right content to appeal to it.

“I heard that Kingdom was submitted for awards in the US in the past, but it didn’t make it to the nomination. I realised that for the work to see success, it needs to be in a mainstream genre, rather than a minor one, to be nominated,” he said.
“Success, here, means popularity from the public to begin with. A series should also have artistic value and be recognised for the depth of its story, and its message about society should be relatable. [When] I saw the list of nominees, I could see why those nominated works deserved to be applauded.”
The heartwarming Extraordinary Attorney Woo ticks all those boxes: it shows an autistic lawyer navigating prejudice in her working and personal life, and portrays different social issues through cases.

Unlike Netflix’s previous smash-hit Korean series Squid Game (2021), Extraordinary Attorney Woo was not a Netflix original series. This allowed the production studio to secure the intellectual property (IP) rights of the series and its franchise.
Lee says this allows them the room to experiment with how a show can expand on its success.
“Thanks to Netflix, the series made it into the US’ award nominations and was dubbed and translated into different languages, which allowed it to draw worldwide recognition in such a short period,” he said.
“As the local series producer, I’m pleased to be the first case to hold the IP of this globally recognised series and have the decision-making rights for other productions like musicals, web comics, and follow-up seasons. It’s an opportunity to see what kind of gains such a result will bring.”
K-Love producer on the Viu series: like Sex and the City but set in Manila
Lee shared his hopes that the company would grow into a major global player in the entertainment scene.
“It is true that Netflix and other global streaming platforms have helped Korean culture and sentiment be delivered to overseas audiences and accepted by them,” he said. “So we are doing our best to hunt for interesting elements [for the content] that are still yet unfamiliar in other countries, which could be period or sci-fi.”
The company is currently making a documentary of mountaineer Kim Young-mi, the first South Korean woman to reach the South Pole unassisted.

“We continue to invest in producing such meaningful projects, regardless of the genre … our goal is to become Asia’s best content studio. So we plan to expand our business to achieve the title.
“I hope to show a small production studio – far from a conglomerate affiliate or state-run company – growing into a well-established company in the motion-picture industry, like [K-pop powerhouses] SM Entertainment, Hybe, JYP Entertainment and YG Entertainment.”
The chief executive said that Korea’s entertainment content market still has some way to go, and called for help from the government.
Why Under the Queen’s Umbrella star Yoo Seon-ho loves being called ‘princess’
“[Korean content] still has a long way to go for its quality, like the story and video techniques, to hit the highest level. There should be more active support from the government,” he said.
“Exporting culture is the easiest way to boost a positive image of a country, which will invigorate further exports of the goods made in Korea … if such a virtuous cycle is created, I think it will contribute to making a stronger reputation for the country.”
Read the full story at The Korea Times


Actress Lee Jung-hyun, a mother again aged 44, thankful for daughter’s safe delivery

Squid Game back for season 2, The Fiery Priest returns, shows stir up alcohol controversy: 5 K-drama stories

Who is Jung Yu-mi, popular Korean film actress from coming K-drama Love Your Enemy?

Squid Game creator on season 2 and wanting to ask whether there’s hope for humans

K-drama news

Extraordinary Attorney Woo K-drama remakes in US and other countries to be ‘the greatest success’ for production company behind the original

Park Eun-bin in a still from the wildly successful K-drama Extraordinary Attorney Woo. The CEO of AStory, the production company behind the series, expects great things from franchising the series. Photo: Netflix

Park Eun-bin in a still from Extraordinary Attorney Woo. Photo: Netflix

 The 2019 apocalyptic horror series Kingdom was also produced by AStory. Photo: @ekdytrp/Instagram

A still from Squid Game, which was a Netflix original series. Photo: Netflix

A still from Squid Game. Photo: Netflix

Korean actor Song Joong-ki is a father-to-be, having wed his British actress girlfriend – 4 years after his marriage to co-star Song Hye-kyo  ended

South Korean actor Song Joong-ki and British actress Katy Saunders, who have wed and are expecting a baby, according to an announcement by the actor. Photos: Getty Images

Song Hye-kyo, right, and Song Joong-ki pose arrive for the a movie awards ceremony in Seoul, South Korea, in 2016. They announced they were filing for divorce in June, 2019. Photo: AP

Jung_E actress Kim Hyun-joo on the heart of the Netflix sci-fi film, pushing boundaries and why she’s planning on taking a break

Korean actress Kim Hyun-joo in a still from Jung_E. She explains why she took on the sci-fi film and how streaming services are helping her push boundaries as an actor. Photo: Netflix

Kim in a still from Jung_E. The film is set in the post-apocalyptic 22nd century. Photo: Netflix 

Kim in a still from Jung_E. The film has drawn criticism from some viewers for a tear-jerking plot. Photo: Netflix 

AOA’s Chanmi, eliminated from survival show Girl’s Re:verse, on finding her voice with the show, doing what she likes and big agency privilege

Im Chan-mi, aka Chanmi of the K-pop girl group AOA, at an autumn/winter photocall for The Studio K in 2019 in Seoul, South Korea. The singer was recently on music survival show Girl’s Re:verse. Photo: Getty Images

Im was contestant Dohwa on Girl’s Re:verse. Photo: courtesy of Kakao Entertainment

Im is better known as Chanmi of the K-pop girl group AOA. Photo: courtesy of Kakao Entertainment

Im at Hera Seoul Fashion Week on March 23, 2018 in Seoul, South Korea. Photo: Getty Images

How ‘groupist culture’ and social media are fuelling South Koreans’ craze for luxury goods

A woman walks past a luxury shop in Seoul, South Korea. File photo: AP

Customers queue to enter a luxury brand boutique at a department store in Seoul, South Korea. File photo: Reuters

Lifestyle

K-Pop

K-drama

Entertainment

Culture

Film & TV

Extraordinary Attorney Woo is being turned into a franchise by the production company behind the hit K-drama series, which has high hopes for its success
The company also made the thriller crime series Signal and the apocalyptic Kingdom shown on Netflix, and is on the hunt for more global content, its CEO says


The CEO of the production company behind Extraordinary Attorney Woo expects great things from franchising the K-drama series – and has high hopes for the studio on a global level.


TV shows and streaming video

Netflix

Korea Times