Han Hyo-joo’s Japanese drama success draws attention from Hollywood producers

It may be a Japanese drama, but it doesn’t feel foreign — and not just because its lead actress is Korean. With themes of inheritance battles, love triangles, and emotional redemption, the Netflix Japan original “Romantics Anonymous” carries the dramatic DNA familiar to K-drama fans.

Adding to its emotional pull is the soundtrack featuring Park Hye-kyung’s “Confession,” amplifying what fans describe as “a taste we already know.”

Released on Oct. 16, the series follows a man suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder and a talented chocolatier with social anxiety (Han Hyo-joo).

Though directed by a Japanese filmmaker, it was planned and produced by Korea’s Yong Film with a Korean writer penning the script. Blending Japan’s understated style with the emotional intensity of Korean storytelling, the show topped Netflix Japan’s TV series chart and ranked No. 6 globally on the platform’s Tudum list as of Tuesday.

The drama’s success highlights the growing “With K” trend — cross-border collaborations driven by the global appeal of Korean creators and production systems.

Expanding collaborations across Asia

The Korea-Vietnam joint film “Leaving Mom,” set for release in Korea, became a box-office sensation in Vietnam, topping the local chart for 15 consecutive days.

The film brought together producers, investors and actors from both countries over a three-year period.

CJ ENM and Japan’s TBS, which co-produced the survival show “Infinite Loop” earlier this year, are now preparing another joint project, a brain survival game show titled “Synchro.”

The rising global demand for Korean partnerships stems from the proven success of K-content. In the second half of last year alone, Korean shows accounted for about 7.7 billion viewing hours — 8 percent of all Netflix viewing time — ranking first among non-U.S. countries.

Following hits like the animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” and the drama “Bon Appetit, Your Majesty,” industry interest in Korean collaborations continues to grow.

“After ‘Parasite,’ Hollywood started revisiting old Korean scripts in storage. Now, after ‘KPop Demon Hunters,’ joint production proposals are increasing even more," a film industry insider said.

Major studios are now moving beyond individual projects to form corporate alliances. CJ ENM recently signed strategic partnerships with Amazon Prime Video in May and Warner Bros.

WBD, which owns Warner Bros. and HBO, plans to invest directly in K-content production. CJ ENM also aims to establish a “Tving Zone” within HBO Max to expand its presence across the Asia-Pacific region.

“‘With K’ is no longer a trend but a core strategy for global media growth," a CJ ENM official said. "We plan to develop diverse joint intellectual properties and create a system that gives Korean creators greater opportunities in the global market.”

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.