International: CJ ENM HONG KONG LTD expands local language scripted series production pipeline with the introduction of four scripted series made for global streaming audiences. Three of them are supported by the Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA) to produce “streaming first” premium scripted series for global audiences by marrying Korean, Singaporean, and Regional talents. This collaboration was first announced a year ago under the Capability Partnership Programme.
This is hot on the heels of the recent announcement that CJ ENM HK co-produced a high-profile Mandarin series, Mom, Don’t Do That! with Taiwanese partner, Butt Mountain.
“2021 is a year for us here at CJ ENM HK to expand our local language productions for the global streaming audience. Apart from our existing production operation in Thailand, we also want to do more premium scripted content in Mandarin and Bahasa languages. We are thankful for IMDA’s visionary approach and support which helped us kick start our relationships with 3 of the best local production houses in Singapore. We are on the lookout to create more high-quality content together with good partners and creators” said Michael Jung, Managing Director, CJ ENM Hong Kong.
“I am incredibly thrilled to collaborate with CJ ENM on its slate of premium streaming-first titles – Hungry Souls, Venus on Mars, and Deep End- for a global audience. This is an exciting development and I look forward to working with more multinational media companies to showcase our original stories and create opportunities for our Singaporean talent to hone their artistic and show running capabilities,” said June Koh, Cluster Director, Media Industry, IMDA.
The first three series are co-developed and co-created with Singaporean production partners and each project will be led by a key Production outfit. CJ ENM HK will also bring on board a team of producers from Korea as a creative consultant for each series.
All three series will finish casting and commence production in the second half of 2021. CJ ENM HK will distribute these series globally.
Apart from the trio of new projects, CJ ENM HK has also collaborated with the Taiwanese production company, Butt Mountain to take a sensational novel into an 11-episodes series – Mom, Don’t Do That! filmed entirely in Taiwan in 4K quality. Based on the true story of the novel’s author Chen Ming-min’s mum who relentlessly surfs the web to find love, the story explores whether a widowed middle-aged woman has the right to pursue new love. By reshaping perceptions of a ‘middle-aged widow’, this series will overturn traditional mindsets and provoke conversations in today’s society. Taking the lead role as Rose is a Taiwanese singer-actress also known as ‘super-hot mom’, Ms. Billie Wang. Other notable casts include award-winning actors – Ms. Alyssa Chia and Ms. Alice Ko as Rose’s 2 daughters (Ru-long and Ruo-min), Chris Wu as the tall, rich and handsome love interest of Ru-wrong, and Mr. Austin Lin as the irresponsible and unemployed boyfriend of Ruo-min. The executive producers of the series are also Chou, Weiling Chen, and Michael Jung. Actress Alyssa Chia also participates as a producer of the film. CJ ENM HK contributed to the creative direction of the project and will handle distribution within Asia (excluding Taiwan and China). The series is now in post-production and set to release in Q4 this year.
Mom, Don’t Do That! International Teaser:
