Aug. 24, 2026, SEOUL, KOREA – This August, Kakao Entertainment is showcasing two intriguing stories that explore beyond the surface of ordinary lives. The upcoming Netflix series “Mousetrap”– premiering Aug. 28 – and MBC’s ongoing drama “A Bona Fide Killer” both follow characters whose seemingly ordinary lives are disrupted by hidden identities, unexpected circumstances and choices that push them to their limits.

Based on Kakao webtoons, the two series also demonstrate how Kakao Entertainment is expanding its IP across formats and platforms, creating new opportunities and bringing its stories to global audiences. By attracting new drama fans while renewing interest in original webtoons, Kakao Entertainment creates great synergies across its broader IP ecosystem, with stories moving between different formats and generating new audience engagement along the way. Through this strategy, the company is reinforcing its position as a global studio.

Mousetrap: When Life Takes Dark Turn

“Mousetrap,” produced by Kakao Entertainment and based on the Kakao webtoon “Field Mouse,”is making its much-awaited premiere on Aug. 28.

This 10-episode chilling thriller, starring Ryu Jun-yeol and Sul Kyung-gu, brings a gripping story of pursuit and survival to a global audience. It revolves around novelist Moon-jae (Ryu), who has had his name, face, and entire life stolen by the mysterious entity “The Rat”; No-ja (Sul), a ruthless loan shark determined to recover his lost money; and detective Sun-yong (Lee Kyu-hyung), as the three pursue the mysterious “The Rat” in this gripping thriller.

“Mousetrap” explores what happens when a life is abruptly thrown into turmoil. Through dangerous pursuit, the series navigates the characters’ changing circumstances and the complex emotions that emerge as they confront an unexpected threat and a world that is no longer familiar to them. Adding to the anticipation is Ryu Jun-yeol’s first-ever dual role as both Moon-jae and “The Rat,” along with Sul Kyung-gu’s portrayal of a tough yet charismatic loan shark.

“‘Mousetrap’ conveys a message about how we prove and define ourselves, and whether we are truly the people we believe ourselves to be,” Ryu said during a press event in Seoul.  

Sul said, “There are neither heroes nor supernatural powers in ‘Mousetrap,’ but only characters who lack something. Nevertheless, it offers a deep sense of immersion as they search for answers, driven by fear and suspicion.”

A Bona Fide Killer: Hidden Life Behind Ordinary Façade

MBC’s “A Bona Fide Killer” has got off to a strong start since its premiere on July 31. The drama, also available on Rakuten Viki, KOCOWA+, friDay Video, and FPT Play, has garnered both strong viewership and buzz, proving the power of Kakao Entertainment’s IP crossover synergy. Notably, it ranked No. 1 on Taiwan’s friDay Video and No. 3 on Vietnam’s FPT Play, reflecting its popularity beyond Korea.

“A Bona Fide Killer” follows Yu Bona (Kong Hyo-jin), a housewife and head of sales by day and a dauntless sniper known as “Kingfisher” by night, who takes justice into her own hands to punish wrongdoers who have escaped legal judgment. As a working mother trying to balance everyday responsibilities with her secret identity, Yu lives two dramatically different lives. As the story unfolds, the boundaries between her two identities begin to blur, leading to a complex internal transformation as they collide at key turning points. Actor Jung Jun-won plays her husband, a caring father working as an investigative newspaper journalist.

“A Bona Fide Killer” has been receiving praise from viewers for its nuanced direction, compelling performances, and distinctive character development. Its satisfying action sequences and highly engaging storyline have also struck a chord with global audiences, driving the series’ growing popularity worldwide.

Thanks to the drama, its momentum is extending to its original webtoon. According to data on viewership trends for “A Bona Fide Killer” on KakaoPage and Kakao Webtoon, views of the original webtoon increased tenfold compared with the period before the drama premiered.

“A Bona Fide Killer” is a prime example of Kakao Entertainment’s IP value chain in action. Based on the popular Kakao webtoon with a cumulative 190 million views, the drama is produced by Kakao Entertainment’s subsidiary, Baram Pictures, and stars Kong from Management Soop ― also under Kakao Entertainment. The company launched an official fan community for “A Bona Fide Killer” on its global K-culture fan platform, Berriz, as well, creating a space where fans of both the original webtoon and the drama can actively interact.