BBC Studios is starting a new service called ‘BBC Kids’ in Korea, which will be available on Genie TV Kids Land, a special IPTV service for little kids, thanks to a collaboration with KT, a big telecom and internet company. This service, offered by BBC Studios Asia, will bring together a bunch of kid-friendly shows to Korean viewers all in one spot, some in English and some in Korean for the first time.
You can watch shows like the award-winning Hey Duggee (seasons 1-4, with season 4 being exclusive to this service in Korea), Andy’s Global Adventures, Yakka Dee, Go Jetters, Sarah & Duck, and My World Kitchen. It will cost KRW5,000 ($3.70) each month to subscribe.
In the world of TV shows, Song Kang-ho, known for Parasite and Snowpiercer, is starring in a new political thriller called Uncle Samsik on Disney+. The story is set in the 1960s and follows a dreamer who wants to improve his country’s industrial scene. He meets Uncle Samsik, a mysterious and adaptable fixer, and they work together, though their partnership is a bit rocky.
They both want to see their country do well. The series, created by Shin Yeonshick, will kick off with five episodes on May 15, then continue with two episodes weekly until the season finale on June 19. It will also be on Hulu in the U.S.
Over in Hong Kong, the movie scene saw a big jump during the Easter weekend, with box office earnings going up by 22% compared to last year. The top movie was We 12, starring Hong Kong’s boy band Mirror, followed by Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire and Kung Fu Panda 4. The weekend made a total of HK$36.8 million ($4.72 million).
Radio Free Asia, funded by the U.S. government, has closed its Hong Kong office due to the new Article 23 National Security Law that was introduced on March 23. This law adds more rules against what it sees as threats to national security and has caused concerns among news outlets like RFA and the BBC.
The Hong Kong government, however, argues that the law is necessary and similar to laws in other places, and doesn’t unfairly limit personal freedoms.
Warner Bros. Discovery has appointed Vikram Sharma as the new group VP, head of consumer products for the Asia-Pacific region, starting April 1. Sharma, who will be based in Singapore, brings experience from his previous roles at Warner Bros. and The Walt Disney Company. He takes over following Julian Moon’s retirement.
The Shanghai International Film Festival has announced its dates for 2024, set to run from June 14-23. It will feature a variety of sections including a main competition, a short film category, a science-fiction week, support programs for young filmmakers, and a market section with seminars and conferences.
Finally, Egghead & Twinkie, a coming-of-age comedy about coming out, has found an international sales agent in The Dazey Phase. Claimed to be the first feature film funded by TikTok, it was directed by Sarah Kambe Holland and recently won a prize at the Austin Film Festival.
BBC Launching Kids Subscription Service in Korea https://t.co/Cqbf3aVJfy
— よしはる (@estate4) April 2, 2024
The Dazey Phase joined the project as consulting producers during post-production. The company was established in 2021 by the Casey siblings and Danielle Benedict. Source
