HONG KONG/SINGAPORE, February 2021 – Viu, PCCW’s leading pan-regional OTT video streaming service, presents its exciting Korean content lineup for February and March, featuring 11 drama series for Viu-ers to enjoy. New titles include River Where the Moon Rises, The Penthouse 2, Times, Mouse, L.U.C.A.: The Beginning, Dear. M, Great Real Estate, Summer Guys, Love Scene Number, Breakup Probation, A Week, and Beyond Evil.
Viu recently announced it hit 45 million MAU (monthly active users) and 5.3 million paid subscribers* and ranks No.1 for number of users in Southeast Asia according to MPA**. Core to achieving these milestones is providing premium content.
Set to premiere exclusively on Viu on February 15, the highly anticipated Viu Original River Where the Moon Rises is adapted from a Korean folktale recorded in The History of the Three Kingdoms and based on Princess Pyeonggang and her General, On Dal. Starring popular Hallyu artistes Kim So Hyun (A Tale of Nokdu) and Ji Soo (Strong Woman Do Bong Soon), the story follows Pyeonggang’s quest to uncover dark and dangerous conspiracies in the kingdom.
First-on-Viu and back for a second season, Korean melodrama The Penthouse 2 will premiere on February 20. The series follows the journey of three moms, fueled by greed and desire, to elevate their lives. Su Ryeon will do anything to exact revenge on the adults that wrecked her child’s life. Seo Jin cultivated a successful career as a classical singer but her daughter seems to lack her talent. Yoon Hee refuses to live a life of poverty and tries everything she can to move into the Penthouse with her daughter. Due to the immense popularity of the first season, the series was renewed for a second and a third season. The Penthouse 2 stars Lee Ji Ah, Kim So Yeon, Eugene, Uhm Ki Joon, Shim Eun Kyung and Bong Tae Gyu.
Mouse, premiering on March 4, tells the story of a justice-seeking rookie detective whose life changes after meeting a psychopathic serial killer. In this drama, humans can identify psychopaths through a DNA test of the fetus from the mother’s womb – posing the question, “would you give birth to the child knowing they will be a psychopath?” This drama features drama actor Lee Seung Gi, also known as a regular in variety shows including All the Butlers. Mouse also features rising star Park Joo Hyun (A Piece of Your Mind) and veteran actor Lee Hee Jun, marking his first leading drama role in six years.
Premiering this month is the sci-fi, action thriller L.U.C.A.: The Beginning. Penned by Chun Sung II who wrote the hit film The Pirates (2014) and won the best screenplay for The Slave Hunters, the series tells the story of a biological experimental subject named Z-O. Made by a corrupt priest and scientist, Z-O looks like an ordinary human but possesses special powers. Tired of living a life in hiding, Z-O returns to the lab where he was created to face reality and find a way to live as a human. L.U.C.A.: The Beginning features lead actor Kim Rae Won, who is known for playing an antagonistic, power hungry politician in Punch and a sweet and caring mentor in Doctors. Lead actress Lee Da Hee is known for her work in Mrs. Cop, The Beauty Inside, Search: WWW and Queendom.
In Dear. M, premiering February 27, an anonymous post in a university’s community board leads to a widespread commotion and curiosity about “M”, the author of the post. A spin-off of the popular web series Love Playlist, the drama revolves around college students and their budding romance on campus. Ma Joo Ah, a business student attends the same university as her childhood friend, Cha Min Ho, a computer science student. While she is not keen about pursuing a relationship, things do not always go as planned. The series marks the acting debut of K-pop idol Jung Jaehyun from NCT and also stars Park Hye Soo, Roh Jeong Eui and Bae Hyun Sung.
Another first-on-Viu, supernatural drama Great Real Estate follows Hong Ji Ah, the owner of a real estate agency who has a special ability. Not only does she have beauty and brains but she can see spirits and exorcise them. Hence, her agency focuses on acquiring troubled properties to flip a profit from them. She meets Oh In Bum, a quick-witted con-artist who does not believe in the existence of ghosts, but uses them to scam others out of their wealth. Jang Na Ra, known for An Empress’ Dignity and V.I.P. plays Hong Ji Ah. The series, directed by PD Park Jin Suk (School 2017), also stars lead singer of K-pop boy band CN Blue, Jung Yong Hwa.
Additional titles in February and March include romance dramas Love Scene Number and Breakup Probation, A Week, time travel thriller drama Times, musical drama Summer Guys, and crime thriller Beyond Evil. Be sure to catch these and many more thrilling shows coming up on Viu!
Viu-ers can watch these series and movies on the Viu app which can be downloaded for free on App Store, Google Play, and selected smart TVs, as well as on the web at www.viu.com.
New titles for your Viu-ing pleasure:
| Title: Love Scene Number
Starts: February 2, 2021 Synopsis: This drama examines the lives of four women who stand at four different inflection points in their lives: at ages 23, 29, 35 and 42. Each of them faces struggles that are relatable to other women but difficult to open up about. This drama explores the innermost thoughts of these four women with regards to love, dating, sex, career, marriage and pregnancy – turning points that will eventually affect most women at one stage in life. Cast: Shim Eun Woo, Kim Bo Ra, Ryu Hwa Young Why watch: – First on Viu! – Kim Bo Ra is a rising actress and starred in numerous successful projects including Sky Castle and Her Private Life. – Shim Eun Woo left a deep impression with her emotional supporting performance in A World of Married Couple.
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| Title: L.U.C.A.: The Beginning
Starts: February 2, 2021 Synopsis: Z-O is a created biological experimental subject made by a corrupted priest and scientist. He looks like an ordinary human but he possesses special powers that make him a monster inside. To live as a human, Z-O escaped from the lab when he was young, and lived as Ji-oh but lived his whole life being chased. Tired of being chased and to find an answer to live as a human, he goes back to the lab to face the reality. However, the reality was much more cruel. He has to choose now whether to be a monster, or a god who can control humans. Cast: Kim Rae Won, Lee Da Hee Why watch: – Directed by Kim Hong Sun who directed popular thrillers including The Guest, Black & Voice. – Penned by Chun Sung II who wrote the hit film The Pirates (2014) and won the best screenplay for The Slave Hunters.
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| Title: Breakup Probation, A Week
Starts: February 6, 2021 Synopsis: Park Ga Ram must end her relationship with her boyfriend in order to save his life. Park Ga Ram is someone who is self-reliant and avoids expecting anything from anyone because of a painful past that left her with an irreparable disappointment. Cast: Kwon Yuri, Hyun Woo Why watch: – First & Exclusive on Viu! – Hyun Woo starred in dramas including 9.9 Billion Woman and The Light in Your Eyes. – Kwon Yuri is a member of the top kpop girl group, SNSD, and starred in dramas including Innocent Defendant and Local Hero. – Premiered on theatres in Korea last year.
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| Title: River Where The Moon Rises
Starts: February 15, 2021 Synopsis: Born as a princess but raised as a soldier, young Pyeonggang sets out on a tour of the kingdom with her mother, the Empress, during which they arrive at a village where they meet General On Hyeop and his son, On Dal. Sharing with him her goal of becoming Goguryeo’s first queen with her intellect and confidence, the straightforward On Dal laughs at her lofty dreams as women do not engage in state affairs, though he means no harm. Meanwhile, the Empress is seeking help from General On Hyeop due to the schemes and conspiracies ongoing in the kingdom, but the two are assassinated in the process. The story follows Pyeonggang’s quest to uncover dark and dangerous conspiracies in the kingdom.
Cast: Kim So Hyun, Ji Soo Why watch: – Viu Original featuring stunning cinematography and amazing talent. – Victory Contents is an established production house in South Korea, with a proven track record of producing hit dramas since its establishment in 2004.
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| Title: The Penthouse 2
Starts: February 20, 2021 Synopsis: Three moms in this drama unveil their secret desires to elevate their lives. Su Ryeon will do anything to take revenge on the adults that wrecked her child’s life. Seo Jin may have cultivated a successful career as a classical singer, but her daughter seems to lack the same talent. Yoon Hee refuses to inherit poverty and devastation to her daughter and tries everything she can to move into the Penthouse. This is a journey of the three moms pedaling down an unstoppable race fueled by greed and desire. Cast: Lee Ji Ah, Kim So Yeon, Eugene, Uhm Ki Joon, Shim Eun Kyung, Bong Tae Gyu Why watch: – First on Viu! – The first season achieved very high ratings for its time belt and received a lot of buzz for its gripping and face paced storyline. – Due to the success of the first season, the series was renewed for a second and third season.
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| Title: Times
Starts: February 21, 2021 Synopsis: Jung-in follows her father’s footsteps to become a renowned reporter. Everything was going well for her and her family until the day after her birthday in 2019. Something from the past changed, which changes her whole life. Her father was assassinated back in 2015 presidential election, her house turned into a rural apartment, and she finds herself as a journalist in a small web news company. Nobody listened to her and assumed she had a mental illness. Somehow an accident happens, and through a telephone, she contacts a man named Jin Woo, who claimed to be living in 2015. Through the phone, she collaborates with him to save her father who is about to be assassinated in 2015. Cast: Lee Seo Joon, Lee Joo Young Why watch: – Lee Joo Young starred in supporting roles in several hit dramas including Itaewon Class, Something in the Rain and Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo. This will be her first leading drama role. – Lee Seo Jin is an actor but he is best known for his reality shows Three Meals a Day, Youn Stay and Grandpa over Flowers. |
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| Title: Mouse
Starts: 4 March, 2021 Synopsis: Humans can identify psychopaths through a DNA test of the fetus from the mother’s womb. The drama centers around the question of, “Would you give birth to the child knowing they will be a psychopath?” The drama tells the story of a justice-seeking rookie detective who faces a psychopath serial killer. His life changes completely after meeting the psychopath. Cast: Lee Seung Gi, Lee Hee Jun, Park Joo Hyun, Kyung Soo Jin, P.O (Block B) Why watch: – The writer also penned other popular action/thriller dramas including Iljimae, God’s Gift: 14 Days and Black. – The director previously directed Rugal and My Secret Romance. |
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| Title: Dear. M
Starts: February 27, 2021 Synopsis: An anonymous post in a university’s community board leads to a widespread commotion and curiosity about “M”, the author of the post. This drama revolves around college students and their budding romance on campus. Ma Joo Ah, a business student attends the same university as her childhood friend, Cha Min Ho, a computer science student. While she is not keen about pursuing a relationship, things do not always go as planned. Cast: Park Hye Soo, Jaehyun (NCT), Roh Jeong Eui, Bae Hyun Sung, Lee Jin Hyuk (UP10TION) Why watch: – A spin-off drama based on the popular web series Love Playlist. – This is Jung Jaehyun’s acting debut.
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| Title: Beyond Evil
Starts: February 19, 2021 Synopsis: Lee Dong Sik who used to be a capable detective is now a jaded policeman who works at a substation in a small town and he busies himself with menial tasks day to day. Han Joo Won, a passionate and elite detective with a prestigious background, has been transferred to the same substation and is assigned to be his partner. When a serial murder occurs in the town, the two are forced to work together to stop the killer. However, investigations soon point to evidence that the culprit is closer than they think. Cast: Yeo Jin Goo, Shin Ha Kyun, Choi Sung Eun Why watch: – First on Viu! – Written by Kim Soo Jin who also penned popular dramas including Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo and The Light in Your Eyes – Directed by Sim Na Yeon, who directed drama At Eighteen.
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| Title: Real Great Estate
Starts: March 25, 2021 Synopsis: Hong Ji Ah is the owner of a real estate agency who sells property. Not only is she beauty and brains, she also has a special ability. She can see spirits and perform exorcism on them. Hence, her agency focuses on acquiring troubled properties to flip a profit from them. She meets Oh In Bum, a quick-witted con-artist who doesn’t believe in the existence of ghosts, but uses them to scam others out of their wealth. Cast: Jang Na Ra, Jung Yong Hwa (CN Blue), Kang Hong Seok, Kang Mal Geum Why watch: – Jang Na Ra is a popular actress who has many hit dramas including An Empress’ Dignity and V.I.P. – Jung Yong Hwa is the lead singer of K-pop boy band CN Blue, this is his first drama after discharge from military and since 2017. – Directed by PD Park Jin Suk (School 2017). |
Title: Summer Guys
Starts: March 31, 2021 Synopsis: This idol-studded drama revolves around four youths with different personalities getting together to revive an old cocktail bar at the beach. Cast: Jeong-shin (CNBlue), Shin Won-ho (Crosszine), Kwon Hyun-bin (JBJ), Kang Mi-na (IOI, GuGuDan), Lim Na Young (IOI, Pristeen) Why watch: – First on Viu! – Korean version of Coyote Ugly – musical rom-com. |
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