Channel A dramas go global via Netflix

Netflix, the world’s leading internet television network, will start airing Channel A dramas from December 15.

"Channel A signed a contract with Netflix to sell Channel A’s hit drama series,” Korean cable television network Channel A said Wednesday. "Netflix will air Channel A dramas from December 15, not only in Korea but also in about 190 countries in which Netflix services are available.”

Under the contract, Netflix bought seven dramas in different genres from Channel A. “Heaven’s Garden,” one of the first series Channel A produced after the network was founded in 2011, directed by Lee Jong-hwan and starring Choi Bool-am, Yoo Ho-jeong and Kim Ho-jin, tells a heartwarming story of a family. Kim Sae-ron, who became a grown-up lady, also appeared in it as a young girl. “Color of Woman,” starring Jae-hee, Yoon So-yi and Lee Soo-kyung, and “Panda and Hedgehog,” starring Dong-hae and Yoon Seung-ah, weave episodes of an young couple into a fresh, love story. “Happy End,” starring Lee Il-hwa and Hwang In-yeong, and “Goodbye Wife,” starring Ryu Si-won and Hong Soo-hyun, are about a complicated, subtle relationship of a married couple.

Among the contracted dramas are “An Immortal Work”, starring Park Sun-Young, Han Jae-Suk and Lee Ha-Nee, about Korean cooking, and “K-POP – Ultimate Audition,” starring Ko Eun-ah and Hong Kyung-min, about an idol singer becoming a superstar. “We are hoping a successful launch of Channel A’s drama all in different genres. We are looking forward to stronger cooperation with Channel A next year,” Netflix said.

“Channel A plans to provide more contents to global fans by leveraging multiple platforms," said Kim Jong-hyun, global business team leader at Channel A.

Yang-Hwan Jung ray@donga.com