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Netflix lines up Korean drama duo

Entertainment One was behind the original US version of Designated Survivor

US streamer Netflix has added two Korean dramas to its international slate, including local broadcaster CJ ENM’s forthcoming remake of US scripted series Designated Survivor.

Designated Survivor: 60 Days is being coproduced by Entertainment One (eOne), which was behind the original show, and Studio Dragon, CJ ENM’s drama production division.

The show, which was unveiled by Korean broadcaster CJ ENM in January, will launch globally in July on Netflix after it acquired rights from eOne.

The remake follows the main storyline of the original format, about a junior minister who becomes leader after a deadly attack on the country’s senior leadership, but has been adapted to feature a Korean storyline. The show has been written by Kim Tae-hee and is directed by Yoo Jong-seon.

In September last year Netflix ordered a 10-episode third season of the original US drama following its cancellation by network ABC.

The streamer has also acquired Korean drama Vagabond, an espionage drama from local broadcaster SBS. It is being produced by Korea’s Celltrion Entertainment and tells the story of a stuntman who discovers a national corruption scandal after being involved in a tragic aeroplane crash.

The show has been shot across Europe and will launch on SBS in Korea in September and elsewhere exclusively on Netflix. The series is directed by Yoo In-shik (Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim) and co-written by Jang Young-chul and Jung Kyung-soon.

Netflix has been ramping up its Korean offerings over recent months, adding historical scripted show Mr Sunshine in June, medical drama Life in August, and rom-com My First Love in September.

It also ordered Korean original School Nurse Ahn Eun Young, based on a popular supernatural-themed book by local author Jung Se-rang, in December.

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