PCCW (SEHK:0008) – HONG KONG/SINGAPORE – Viu, PCCW’s leading pan-regional OTT video streaming service, unveils its upcoming slew of original content, as it continuously brings fresh and engaging premium Asian entertainment to Viu-ers all year-round.
Right after announcing the second Korean Viu Original Doom at your Service, Viu is releasing another piece of good news on its next Viu Original from Korea, Hong Cheon Gi, a romantic fantasy period drama set to premiere exclusively on the OTT platform in the third quarter. Based on a novel of the same name, it tells the story of Hong Cheon Gi (Kim Yoo Jung), an artist with extraordinary aesthetic insight and skills who became the first female painter of the Dohwaseo (Korean Royal Academy of Painting). During her stay in the palace, she gets embroiled in a love triangle with Ha Ram (Ahn Hyo Seop), an officer well-versed in astronomy and meteorology who lost his sight in a childhood accident, and the Grand Prince Anpyeong (Gong Myung) who is an arts enthusiast.
The series features Kim Yoo Jung, a young and popular actress well known among K-drama fans for her numerous critically acclaimed period dramas. After her acting debut in 2003, Kim became one of the best-known child actresses in Korea. Since then, she has transitioned into teen roles and gained fame for starring in the historical-fantasy drama The Moon Embracing the Sun (2012), before landing her first leading role in hit drama Love in the Moonlight (2016).
Playing the lead role Ha Ram, Ahn Hyo Seop has gained recognition in recent years with his outstanding performance in Still 17 (2018), Abyss (2019), and Dr. Romantic 2 (2020). As for Gong Myung, he debuted in 2013 to star in various films before making his way to the small screen and took on leading roles in The Bride of Habaek (2017), Feel Good To Die (2018), and Be Melodramatic (2019).
Besides Korean series, Viu has always been focusing on bringing audience local entertainment from all over Asia. Award-winning Malaysian Viu Original, Black, is back with a bigger and more thrilling second season in May. With season 1 clinching the Asian Academy Creative Awards for Best Cinematography and Best VFX in 2020, Black will return with its original star-studded cast and new blood added to the mix, promising a darker and grittier plot.
In addition, Viu is pleased to introduce UBettina Wethu, a South African adaptation of hit international comedy drama Ugly Betty and the first-ever South African Viu Original, to its audience in Asia. UBettina Wethu is about a smart and charming young woman from rural Hammanskraal who is determined to do whatever it takes to fulfil her ultimate dream of being in the fashion publishing business.
Upcoming in the pipeline and still in production includes three new increasingly popular Thai drama series Wannabe, My Coach and Agent Ghost. Wannabe is a story about a group of millennials from different walks of life that cross paths. Each with their own stories and life desires, this hip-hop melodrama stars Chanon Santinatornkul (aka “Nonkul”) who shot to fame with his leading role in the blockbuster hit Bad Genius, hip-hop artist Supakit Thinjun, and multi-talented Marina Balenciaga. My Coach is a sports romance drama about a beautiful football coach who finds herself caught between two men as she embarks on a self-discovery journey. Agent Ghost is an action drama following the journey of a detective who joins the National Occult and Belief Division (NOBD) to catch the cult leader of the Eternal Bliss Society responsible for her family’s death.
Starring well-known Indonesian singers Bio One, Marsha Aruan and Dinda Kirana, Write me a Love Song is an upcoming romantic comedy about a struggling singer/songwriter in his pursuit for love. Realizing that he needs to understand the meaning of love to write a successful love song, Kun (Bio One) tries to develop relationships with the women in his life where he experiences both love and heartbreak.
Also with the same theme on music, Viu is pleased to share its first ever Philippines Original Still. Starring Asia’s pop diva Julie Anne San Jose, theater princess Gab Pangilinan and Asia’s romantic balladeer Christian Bautista, Still tells the story of estranged friends Sab and Laura as they find themselves stranded together in “Balay” during the lockdown. As they struggle to overcome the uncertainties during their time in isolation, Sab and Laura rally the support of other young creative talents to use their voices to inspire and motivate many others who face similar situations in this “new normal”.
Ms. Virginia Lim, Chief Content Officer, Viu, said, “We continue to sharpen our focus on delivering the best of premium Asian entertainment with increased efforts to drive original local content. Besides offering the widest selection of fresh Korean content, we are also investing heavily in original content so that our Viu-ers can get to watch the most highly anticipated Korean dramas first and exclusively on our platform as well as locally relevant Viu Original series produced out of some of our key markets like Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. With our first Korean Viu Original River where the Moon Rises garnering great support from our viewers, we continue the momentum by locking in star studded A-grade dramas such as Doom At Your Service in May, Hong Cheon Gi in the third quarter and more in the time to come.”
Be sure to catch these new titles and Viu’s extensive library of other blockbusters, first-on-Viu and exclusive titles on the Viu app which can be downloaded for free on App Store, Google Play, and selected smart TVs, as well as on the web at www.viu.com.
