Kakao Entertainment has recently signed a number of deals with global streaming platforms such as iQiyi and Viki to air KakaoTV original shows such as “No, Thank You,” “The Great Shaman Ga Doo Shim,” and “Shadow Beauty.” This brings the shows to viewers in Japan, Taiwan, and countries in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

“No, Thank You” season 1 was well received in multiple countries including the U.S., Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore, leading to distribution in the North American market again for season 2. “The Great Shaman Ga Doo Shim” and “Shadow Beauty” also closed deals with global streaming service Viki and sealed additional agreements in Japan and Taiwan to stream in 180 countries worldwide. 

If you have yet to check out some of the most popular Originals to date, here is a list we put together for you: 

“No, Thank You”

This KakaoTV Original looks at the life of a daughter-in-law constantly struggling with her in-laws. The mid-form drama is based on a webtoon series in season 1 and adds to the original story in season 2 with a new plot. Despite its depiction of the typical challenges Koreans face with their in-laws, the series well resonated with global audiences. The rights for season 2 have been acquired in many countries including North and South America with Asia in the pipeline. 

“The Great Shaman Ga Doo Shim”

With a plot that centers on Korean shamanic beliefs, this show combines exorcism with a high school narrative to create a unique take on mystery shows. “The Great Shaman Ga Doo Shim” is available for viewers in Southeast Asia, North America, the Middle East, Oceania, and India.

“Shadow Beauty”

“Shadow Beauty” tells the story of the dangerous double life of a high school girl, Koo Ae-jin. An outcast at school, Koo on social media lives the life of a celebrity known as Jinnie. Available on Viki, the series is aired in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. With additional deals secured with platforms in Taiwan and Japan, as well as global content platform weTV, the show is now streaming in 190 countries.

“Change Days 2”

Change Days is a reality show, which closely follows four on-the-verge couples as they look for solutions to mend their relationships. Available through Netflix worldwide, the KakaoTV Original has landed in the top 10 charts especially in Taiwan and Hong Kong and seen over 1 million views per episode on KakaoTV. 

Other mid-form KakaoTV Originals that have been popular on Netflix include “Lovestruck in the City,” “Mad for Each Other,” and “Welcome to Wedding Hell” – all of which have been loved for their unique storylines and captivating narrative structures. 

“We’ve seen a strong following among global audiences when it comes to Kakao Entertainment’s original shows. I think this has a lot to do not only with the unique aspects of Korean culture, but also the novel approach in storytelling, great production, and the use of humor throughout,” said Lee Jaesong, Kakao Entertainment’s director of global business. “We will always look to deliver great stories that viewers, wherever they are in the world, can sit back and enjoy.”