Amazon Prime Announces 1st Korean Original Series ‘Idolm@ster.kr’ Coming in 2017

James Farrell

Amazon Prime Video is introducing its first Korean Original Series at the start of 2017.
The online retailer Amazon.com, Inc. has been expanding beyond its core business to areas such as streaming video services and it has invested heavily in its original series which will air on Prime Video.

The title of this first Korean Original Series will be 'Idolm@ster.kr'. This live-action drama series is based on the popular Japanese video game series 'Idolm@ster' developed by Bandai Namco Entertainment(BNEI). 'Idolm@ster' deals with the training of a group of prospective idols in the fictional world, and emphasizes the struggle that idols must go through on their way to stardom.

The new Korean drama series 'Idolm@ster.kr' deals with the Girls Project as well, but it has the real story of Korean, Japanese, Thai girls who are striving to become idols in Korea. Ten girls were already chosen through public auditions and voting systems and they had a 3-month training program at a Korean entertainment production company. Their first single "Dream" and its accompanying music video were also released at media day.

James Farrell, Head of Content at Amazon's Asia Pacific Prime Video, had an interview with DongA.com on August 25 and he talked about the new project.

First, Farrell commented on the reason he chose 'Idolm@ster.kr' as the first Korean Original.

"We have (major) customers like in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, and Japan. Those customers like content from all over the world. They don't just like American content. So, we think it's really great for us to be able to find great content in Japan, and in Korea and bring it to those customers". "We always want something unique and unconventional. When Interactive Media Mix(IMX,Inc.), a Tokyo-based distributor of Korean TV dramas, made the series, they held real auditions and people came in. That was really unique," he said.

Before developing 'Idolm@ster.kr', Amazon Prime launched the Japanese original series in April featuring different genres such as dramas, documentaries, variety shows, children's shows and it has gained increasing popularity.

Farrell said: "Amazon in Japan has such a wide range of customers, not just a single type. So, we really wanted to make content for all those customers. We've already created nine original shows in Japan, Number 10 is in two weeks from today and there are many more plans for the rest of the year. It's going great. We look at social media, there're comments like 'Selection is getting stronger' etc."

Lastly, he emphasized the uniqueness of 'Idolm@ster.kr' and Amazon Prime Video for its current and future customers.

"With the collaboration of BNEI and IMX, we are so excited to offer the first Korean Original Series for our Prime Video members. 'Idolm@ster.kr' is the great combination of Japanese idol culture and K-drama influence in Korean Wave or "Hallyu". The members consist not only of Korean but also of Japanese, and other aspiring international singers. I hope customers enjoy this drama, watching how the girls go through difficult times and become a star."

Beginning in early 2017, the full episodes of 'Idolm@ster.kr' will be released weekly at the same time as the Korean television broadcast and translated into Japanese, English, and other languages.

Access to 'Idolm@ster.kr' on Prime Video will be available for Amazon Prime members who pay $99 a year or $10.99 a month. Amazon Prime membership offers unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Prime Video, more than one million songs and thousands of playlists and stations with Prime Music, unlimited photo storage in Amazon Drive with Prime Photos, one free book every month with the Kindle Owners' Lending Library, and more.

About Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video is a premium video streaming service, which provides thousands of movies and TV episodes, including popular licensed content plus award-winning Amazon Original Series and movies from Amazon Studios like ‘Transparent’, ‘The Man in the High Castle’, ‘Chi-Raq’ and kids series ‘Tumble Leaf’.

정민경 동아닷컴 기자 alsruda@donga.com