OCN continues genre experiment

A promotional photo for upcoming OCN drama "Black" / Courtesy of CJ E&M

By Park Jin-hai

OCN, a cable movie channel owned by CJ E&M, is continuing its genre experiments, creating a storm on the local drama series scene.

By focusing on such dramas, which major local broadcasting TV stations had considered as non-mainstream with a limited viewer base, the cable channel has been expanding its influence here and abroad.

This year alone, it brought the spine-chilling crime thriller “Voice,” a showdown between a psychopath and a policewoman gifted with perfect psycho-acoustics skills; “Tunnel,” a mix of a time-travel hunt for a serial killer and humanism; “Duel,” a story of a human clone; and recently a pseudo-religious cult thriller “Save Me.”

“Tunnel,” which posted a record 6.5 percent viewership for the cable channel, was exported to Japan, a country with its own strong genre dramas. It has been broadcast from late August on the CS satellite channel. Lead actor Choi Jin-hyuk’s agency said, “Despite being the first time to officially export a Korean genre drama, it has received a lot of attention from viewers.”

“Save Me” featured a religious cult and how blind faith can drive people insane. By taking on a subject that local dramas haven’t told before, the program was credited to have shown a different level of suspense with directing skills rather than bloodshed and serial killers.

Not only has the channel widened viewers’ acceptance to genre dramas, it became a springboard for rookie actors to earn recognition.

Yang Se-jong, an actor with just a year of experience, took the title role in “Duel,” and now he has bagged another lead role in the SBS drama “Temperature of Love.” Actor Woo Do-hwan who made his name known to viewers with “Save Me,” is also cast as the lead actor in the upcoming KBS drama “Mad Dog.”

OCN’s next challenge is its upcoming drama “Black,” starring hallyu star Song Seung-heon and actress Go A-ra.

Written by Choi Ran, who previously wrote “God’s Gift” which was remade into the American TV series “Somewhere Between,” and directed by “Voice” director Kim Hong-sun, the new drama will tell the story of a death god and a woman who can foresee death.

It is unprecedented for the channel to hire star cast members.

“The two famous actors Song and Go have certain established images and it is questionable if they fit in genre dramas. So the casting of the two stars can be in itself a challenge for the cable channel, which has counted on new formats and story material rather than a star cast. If Song succeeds in this drama, it could become a turning point in his acting career,” said an official of a local production company.

“Black” will premiere on OCN at 10:20 p.m., Oct. 14.