Stars moving to general service channels, celebrity casting success

Founded ahead of the year's end, general service channels have been announcing star-studded casts one after another. Recruiting stars is the first stage of attracting attention to newly founded channels, which is a prerequisite for success. Because of this, expending resources to establish star-recruitment power is a natural move.

First target: star broadcast TV producer

General service channels' first targets were broadcast television entertainment producers. Given the enormous amount of know-how required to create a drama, this meant battling with broadcasters over a short period of time and securing the production talent that would give them the best chance for a successful launch.

For quite a while new general service channels have been a pain for the nation's three main broadcasting companies. MBC's Yeo Mun-hyeok,Lim Jeong-ah, and Seong Chi-gyeong, as well as KBS's Lee Myeong-han,Kim Seok-yoon, Kim Shi-kyu, and Jo Seung-wook transferred to broadcast TV. There was also hearsay that "Infinite Challenge" producer Kim Tae-ho had received an offer to move to a general service station. People in the business have said, "Quite a few producers have received offer to move to general service channels".

Establish powerful dramas

General service channels, laying out an enormous amount of capital, have cast star writers and top actors in order to debut with powerful dramas. Before the year's end, the plans of top general service channels center on founding new dramas and announcing their story outlines, showing a variety of projects.

It has been reported thatKim Su-hyunbegan writing a featured drama for Chonsun Ilbo's CSTV. CSTV has securedHwang Jeong-minandKim Jeong-eunfor the drama, called"Hanbando - Drama", about world powers fighting over Korea's natural resources.

jTBC's "Padam Padam... The Sound of His and Her Heartbeats", mutually created by writerNoh Hee-kyeongand producerKim Kyoo-tae, has already started shooting, and a few production stills have been published, causing a stir. "Padam Padam... The Sound of His and Her Heartbeats" has a star-studded cast featuringJeong Woo-seong,Han Ji-min,Kim Beomand more.

Chae Si-rawill also make a comeback on the television screen after 2 years away, starring as the female lead in jTBC's upcoming"Queen Insoo". Also,Song Il-gookandPark Jin-heehave signed up for jTBC's new featured drama "Fermented Family". A new work by directorPark Chan-hongand writerKim Jee-woo, who both started a craze with the popular dramas"Revenge"and"Devil", expectations are rising for "Fermented Family". Additionally,Kim Hee-aehas decided to join jTBC's "A Wife's Credentials", planned for February next year, andPark Yong-woohas also signed up.

Dong-A Ilbo's "Channel A" is preparing "Park Chung-hee, The Man" (working title), shedding light on the former president's life story, and "Timeslip Doctor Jin", based on a Japanese comic. It will also air the featured dramas "Color of Woman" and "Heaven's Garden". "Heaven's Garden" has castChoi Bool-am,Yoo Ho-jeong,Kim Sae-ronand others.

Stars rush to all-purpose channels

The sitcom line-up is also impressive.Sin Dong-yupand actressKim Soo-miwill appear as a couple on MBN's "Vampire Idol". With this, "Vampire Idol" is a strong candidate to cast more idol-status stars.Kim Hye-jinwill face her first sitcom acting challenge in jTBC's "I Live in Cheongdam-dong".

Sin Dong-yup,Lee Soo-geun,Lee Yeong-ja, Kim Sung-ju and others lead Channel A's entertainment program.Lee Soo-geunis preparing his own "Transfer toLee Soo-geun" andSin Dong-yup's story-oriented fantasty magic show "Storytelling Magic Show" is in development.Lee Yeong-ja's military search program "Army Singing Contest" is also scheduled to appear.

jTBC is also working on a morning talk show hosted byPark Kyeong-rim, "The Laughter and Applause ofPark Kyeong-rimand Jang Seong-gyu" (working title), a ranking show called "Bang Bang Show! Your Best", and "Story Hunter", a talent development show.