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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Celebrities devider Revamped tvN channel to be launched in PH via GigaPlay on Dec. 15

Revamped tvN channel to be launched in PH via GigaPlay on Dec. 15

Published Dec 14, 2021 02:35 pm

Fans of Korean entertainment content in the Philippines will rejoice with the launching of a revamped tvN channel to provide more and faster Korean dramas, variety programs and movies starting Dec. 15.

To launch the revamped tvN Premium channel, CJ ENM HK with Wilbros Entertainment is partnering with the leading mobile services provider Smart Communications for its first-ever linear channel service, bringing the best Korean pop culture and entertainment onto their GigaPlay app.

The revamped tvN Premium channel will be available on Smart Gigaplay starting Dec. 15 (Wilbros)

More than 70 million Smart mobile subscribers can now watch all the exciting content from tvN anytime, anywhere. This is an expansion of existing partnership where Smart continuously host CJ ENM’s iconic K-pop events such as Mnet Asia Music Awards and KCON online events since 2020.

Smart, a wholly-owned wireless communications and digital services subsidiary of PLDT, launched the GigaPlay App, a new and handy streaming app especially developed to bring a suite of sports and entertainment content to subscribers for free.

Now downloadable on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, GigaPlay specially curated live and on-demand content that are optimized to stream seamlessly on the country's fastest mobile network.

The app is available to all Smart Prepaid, Smart Postpaid, TNT, and Smart Bro subscribers, who only have to connect to their mobile data, select the video they want on the GigaPlay app, and watch content.

“We’re happy to collaborate with CJ ENM because K-content is truly close to Smart when it comes to service. We’ve been constantly listening to our customers as we enable our subscribers to pursue their passions despite the limitations of our current situation. GigaPlay plays a key role in our innovations platform because it delivers access to amazing experiences at their fingertips – and K-content is one of the main offers we have on the app alongside live sports, music and entertainment” said Jane Basas, Smart senior vice president and head of Consumer Wireless Business.

Starting Dec. 15 at 10am, Smart GigaPlay customers will be able to join the global fandom of tvN’s tentpole drama “Jirisan” with daily marathon of series that cumulates in the final episodes on Dec. 18 and 19.

“Jirisan” stars Jun Ji-hyun and Ju Ji-hoon and is about park rangers who guard the famous Mount Jiri in South Korea.

Fans of Korean pop star Rain and Kim Bum can watch their drama “Ghost Doctor” staring on Jan. 4 with new episodes every Tuesday and Wednesday.

Taking over after “Ghost Doctor“ is the action/romance drama “Military Prosecutor Do Bar Man” starring Ahn Bo-hyun and Cho Bo-ah, about the story of Do Bae-man, who became a military prosecutor for money, meets Cha Woo-in, who became a military prosecutor for revenge.

Other shows that will be available are: “Idol Dictation Contest” season 2, which will premiere on Dec. 20 and will star MC Boom together with Super Junior’s Eunhyuk, Lee Jin Ho, Jaejae, VIXX’s Ravi, Lovelyz’s Mijoo, Choi Ye Na and Stray Kids’ Lee Know.

A new reality show, “Love Catcher in Seoul,” every Tuesday, is a dating psychological game played by “love catchers” who participate for searching true love and “money catchers” who only aim for money. It is hosted by Son Ho Jun, Jang Do Yeon, Sunny, Loco, and (G)I-DLE’s Miyeon.

From Jan. 8, viewers can also look forward to a brand-new movie belt on tvN every Saturday at 9.15pm. Among the movies available are “Officer of the Year,” “Two Faces of My Girlfriend,” “The Beast and the Beauty,” “Fatal Encounter,” “A Company Man,” and “The Witch: Part 1 The Subversion.” You can expect to catch all your favourite Korean stars like Hyun Bin, Cho Jung-seok, So Ji-sub, Shin Min-A, Lee Sun-yun, Han Ji-min, Kim Da-mi, Bong Tae-gyu and Choi Woo-shik.

To add on the festive cheers, tvN has curated a #tvN2021Number1Playlist to keep fans entertained with a slew of best-rated programs, starting with the marathon of thriller drama “Happiness” starring Han Hyo Joo, Park Hyung Sik and Jo Woo Jin, Dec. 22-23 at 12:15 p.m. onwards; “Spring Camp” (Dec. 24, 2.30 p.m. onwards); “The Sixth Sense,” Dec. 25 to 29, 2.30 p.m. onwards); “Work Later, Drink Now,” (Dec. 25 to 27, 9.30 p.m. onwards) and “3 Meals a Day: Fishing Village 5,” (Dec. 30 to 31, 2.30 p.m. onwards).

If you have missed the world’s No. 1 K-pop music awards, the 2021 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA), you won’t want to miss the encore telecast of the award shows on New Year’s Day (Jan. 1, 2.30 p.m.).

The 2021 World K-pop Concert will be on Jan. 2, 2:30 p.m., featuring K-pop stars like NCT Dream, SHINee KEY, Aespa, ITZY, Pentagon, Simon Dominic, Loco and BraveGirls as well as American pop star Kehlani.

“It is evident Hallyu fever is on an all-time high in Philippines with fans who are extremely loyal to their idols and it will only continue to get bigger and more influential. Our continuous partnership with Philippines’ leading mobile services provider, Smart is a dream come true for us to bring all the best premium Korean contents to their customers via their GigaPlay app so that they can now enjoy our channel anywhere they go,” said Michael Jung, managing director of CJ ENM Hong Kong.

Related Tags

Kpop CJ ENM SMART COMMUNICATIONS INC Korean dramas tvN Wilbros
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