SEOUL, November 10, 2023 – Korea’s beloved romantic comedy story called “A Business Proposal” is officially coming to Hong Kong! The story has been creatively adapted for Hong Kong viewers and is set to make its debut on November 27 on ViuTV.

The highly anticipated remake was announced at a ViuTV production presentation on November 7, immediately igniting anticipation among fans of the series, particularly with the recent breakaway success of the original story in the form of web novels, webtoons, and TV drama. The anticipation was further stoked by the casting announcement of Anson Lo and Edan Lui, members of Hong Kong’s wildly popular idol group, Mirror, in the lead roles. With their involvement, A Business Proposal is primed to become one of ViuTV’s standout hits in the coming months.

A Business Proposal is a shining example of Kakao Entertainment’s global IP strategy which spans web novels, webtoons, dramas, and music. The hit series is originally based on a web novel that was serialized on Kakao Page and has since been expanded with webtoon and drama adaptations by Kakao Entertainment and its subsidiaries. Furthermore, artists such as THE BOYZ from Kakao Entertainment’s subsidiary agencies have played a pivotal role in crafting the series’ soundtracks. When the Korean TV drama was released globally on Netflix, it soared to the top spots in both English-speaking and non-English-speaking regions for 13 weeks straight. The accompanying webtoon also enjoyed a resurgence in popularity, creating a virtuous circle of high rankings in Korea, Japan, Thailand, and other countries where Kakao Entertainment has made its mark.

The success of A Business Proposal has since caught the attention of leading global production companies, with Hong Kong’s ViuTV being the first to express a strong interest in localizing and reproducing the series. Viu’s reach is extensive, as it boasts a pan-regional streaming platform with more than 60 million active users across the world, including locations in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

While the Hong Kong remake closely follows the original plot, it artfully incorporates settings and characters with cultural nuances that will resonate with Hong Kong residents. For example, the chicken shop run by Shin Hari’s parents is reimagined as a Hong Kong-style restaurant. Also, the driver of Kang Tae-moo’s grandfather plays a pivotal role, infusing the Hong Kong version with a distinct flavor and intrigue that sets it apart from the original and makes it appealing to local viewers.

“I’m thrilled to see Business Proposal take on a fresh perspective in Hong Kong,” stated Hae-hwa, the original creator of the series. “Ahn Hyo-seop’s portrayal of Kang Tae-moo received immense acclaim both in Korea and internationally, and I’m hopeful that Hong Kong’s Tae-moo will capture hearts in a similar fashion. I’m also curious to see what nickname he’ll acquire, and how Hong Kong’s Hari will charm Tae-moo!”

For more news on A Business Proposal, please see here.