Video streaming platform iQiyi has revealed six Korean and Filipino shows, and new exclusive content from Thailand and Malaysia at the Asian Contents and Film Market (ACFM), which opened on Oct. 11 as part of the 26th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF).
“Over the past year, we’ve seen a very positive trend of international viewers consuming more Asian content as a whole. As the leading global streaming player rooted in Asia with a global footprint, iQiyi will double down its investment in introducing premium pan-Asian content to the world. We are excited to play a crucial role in putting Asian content front and center in collaboration with top-notch creators and talents from Korea and the Philippines to bring compelling Original stories to our users in 191 territories,” said Kuek Yu-Chuang, iQiyi’s vice president of International Business during a virtual showcase.
Two new Filipino shows
Two original Filipino series will be showcased on iQiyi, which partnered with ABS-CBN to produce the shows: “Saying Goodbye” and “Hello, Heart.” These are iQiyi’s first local originals in the Southeast Asian region.
“Saying Goodbye” will be headlined by Andrea Brillantes and Seth Fedelin, who starred in the TV drama “Kadenang Ginto.”
The two stars will meet once again to breathe life into their unforgettable roles to the delight of millions of SethDrea fans. “Saying Goodbye” is a story about celebrating life despite the challenges. The series will follow the story of Ricky and Elise, an unlikely pair brought together by their love for music and adventure.
On the other hand, “Hello, Heart” will star Gigi De Lana, known for her acting skills and her viral music videos that’s been hitting millions of views, alongside multi-awarded actor Gerald Anderson.
“Hello, Heart” is a romantic comedy that tells the story of Heart and Saul. Heart, a beautiful, perky, hard working but very unlucky woman, finally meets her lucky charm, Saul. Saul, the emotionless, business-as-usual man, hires Heart to pretend to be his wife to please his grandmother with dementia.
“Saying Goodbye” and “Hello, Heart” will premiere worldwide this year exclusively on iQiyi International.
Four Korean Original productions in 2022
These are the four Korean originals coming to iQiyi in 2022:
In “Crazy Love,” a genius math tutoring center CEO (played by Kim Jaeuck), receives a death threat and tries to seek out the murderer by pretending to suffer memory loss. He even enters into a sham marriage with his introverted secretary Lee Shin-ah (played by Krystal Jung), who is diagnosed with terminal illness. Between them, a scary yet sweet romance blossoms. The show is directed by Kim Jung-hyun who was behind the popular romantic mystery drama series “Awaken,” and produced with leading studio Story Hunter Productions.
“Us At One Point,” produced by GTist, is a drama production company behind multiple hit series like “Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha” and “Hotel del Luna.” The tragic love story is centered on reincarnations and a couple trying to save each other from a curse where they have to endure the pain of being unable to be together no matter how many times they have met.
“My Oppa Is An Idol” is an Original produced with STUDIO N, a production company owned by South Korea’s largest webtoon publisher. It follows an amusing story of chaos ensuing when a fussy entertainment agency representative, a famous idol and the idol’s loyal fan started living together under the same roof.
“Weekday Wife” is an upcoming romantic comedy, where a woman groomed as a rich heiress radically rejects her arranged marriage by her adopted 'jaebul' family and turns this into her major career. This production partnership with STUDIO605 will draw into the studio’s deep expertise in art direction and creating memorable romance scenes.
iQiyi also teased audiences with an exclusive glimpse of the highly anticipated iQiyi x Studio Dragon co-productions. Director You Sun Dong greeted fans from the set of “Bad and Crazy,” drumming up excitement for the heroic theme show that will premiere in December starring Lee Dong Wook and Wi Ha-jun (“Squid Game”) along with “Shooting Stars” table read joined by Lee Sung-kyung and Kim Young-dae as the production begins.
iQiyi Thai content
“Only You I Need” is a melodrama story of love and betrayal between Lue, a handsome influencer who owns a successful tourism company, his beautiful wife, Nampink and Ramnam, an ambitious young lady who was adopted and raised by Lue's family as a child.
“Gen Y The Series 2” centers around the love of Gen Y couples made between Wayu and Thanu, whose relationship faces their biggest test yet due to their pasts that will ultimately determine the choice for their future; Mark and Kij’s relationship wavers to a point where they distance themselves in order to rediscover the love they have for each other; Pok and Tong’s love-hate relationship that arose from a major grudge prevents both from realizing their deep care for each other.
iQiyi Malay content
“Gerak Khas Undercover” is an action police procedural television series revolving around a team of undercover police officers who solve intense criminal cases. This series will also highlight each officer’s family and love life to inject a variety of emotions to the show.
“Cukup Derita Itu Part 2” tells the story of Ellani and Ellan, non-identical twins who were raised by their aunt, Mak Ngah. However, Mak Ngah treats the both of them differently where Ellana is cared for like a princess while Ellani had to slave away for Mak Ngah Gayah. Conflict arises when Zarul who was supposed to marry Ellana had a change of heart and decided to marry Ellani. Ever since then, Mak Ngah and Ellana vow to ruin Zarul and Ellani’s marriage.