April 14, 2025, SEOUL, KOREA – “When Life Gives You Tangerines” and “Karma” ― these two Korean works have recently landed on Netflix’s global TOP 10 non-English shows category, captivating audiences worldwide. Notably, both are productions of Kakao Entertainment that highlight the strength of its media business. They, however, aren’t the only smash-hits of 2025 from Kakao Entertainment ― the films “Dark Nuns” and “The Match” also made a worldwide splash upon their releases, signaling the company’s growing presence in the global market. 

This notable achievement is the result of the synergies built by Kakao Entertainment and its production houses, as well as the company’s enhanced knowledge and experience in intellectual property (IP) crossover. Under its robust “multi-studio system,” Kakao Entertainment has either co-produced or facilitated collaborations among its production companies, leading to the creation of diverse dramas and movies. Moreover, it has actively adapted its webtoons and web novels into different video formats, illuminating the distinctive charms of the original works while adding fresh elements tailored for new adaptations.

‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’

One of Kakao Entertainment’s latest hits is “When Life Gives You Tangerines” (Written by Lim Sang-choon / Directed by Kim Won-suk), produced by Pan Entertainment and Kakao Entertainment’s subsidiary Baram Pictures. Starring IU and Park Bo-gum, its global popularity is showing no signs of waning, with the drama securing the No. 1 spot on Netflix’ global TOP 10 non-English shows category and staying in the TOP 10 in 40 countries after releasing all its episodes. “When Life Gives You Tangerines” depicts the adventures of Ae-sun, “the remarkable rebel,” and Gwan-sik, nicknamed “unyielding iron,” through four vibrant seasons on Jeju Island. Following its March premiere, it consistently earned a place in Netflix’ global TOP 10 thanks to its realistic yet heartwarming family narrative that people can easily relate to. 

‘Karma’

Also grabbing the attention is “Karma” (Directed and written by Lee Il-hyung), a crime thriller depicting how “a fateful accident intertwines six lives in a thrilling tale of karma and crime, where each must face their own dark truths and connections.” Thanks to its twist-filled storyline that shifts between the past and present, combined with the actors’ flawless performances, the drama ranked 5^th on Netflix’s global TOP 10 non-English shows while entering the TOP 10 in 37 countries.

“Karma,” based on Kakao Entertainment’s popular webtoon of the same name, serves as a prime example of the company’s IP crossover strategy. Kakao Entertainment teamed up with its subsidiaries Moonlight Film (the producer of “Narco-Saints”) and Baram Pictures (“When Life Gives You Tangerines,” “When the Phone Rings”) to co-produce the series. “Karma” also stars actors from Kakao Entertainment’s talent agencies, including Park Hae-soo, Lee Hee-joon and Lee Kwang-soo.

In addition, “Crushology 101” (Directed by Kim Ji-hoon / Written by Sung So-eun, Lee Seul), based on a Kakao Webtoon with an accumulated 170 million views, recently premiered in 106 countries across North America, Europe, Asia, and beyond, via various platforms including U-NEXT, Kocowa+ and Amazon Prime Video India. Starring Roh Jeong-eui, Lee Chae-min and Cho Junyoung, this youthful campus romance follows a college student named Bani, who stumbles upon attractive men after breaking up with her dark first love. Kakao Entertainment produced the series itself, with singers from its music labels, including Jung Seung-hwan and Dragon Pony, lending their voices to the original soundtracks.

Cinematic success

Kakao Entertainment is making a name for itself in the film industry as well. In January, the movie “Dark Nuns” (Directed by Kwon Hyuk-jae) starring Song Hye-kyo, Jeon Yeo-been and Lee Jin-uk triggered a global sensation with its gripping plot and the actors’ enthusiastic performances. The film, created by Kakao Entertainment’s production house Zip Cinema, was pre-sold in 160 countries ahead of its release while attracting more than 1 million theatergoers in Indonesia. In the Philippines, it held the No. 1 spot on the local box office for two weeks in a row following its release, and in Korea, it accumulated 1.6 million viewers. It has also been invited to the competition section of the 27^th Udine Far East Film Festival, scheduled for April 24-May 2. “Dark Nuns” revolves around people who engage in a forbidden ritual to save a demon-possessed boy.

Actor Lee Byung-hun’s “The Match” (Directed by Kim Hyeong-joo) was another hot talking point. Produced by Moonlight Film and co-produced by BH Entertainment, it reached No. 1 on the Korean box office for three consecutive weeks following its arrival in March, amassing over 1.5 million admissions. “The Match” captures the journey of the legendary Korean Go player, Cho Hun-hyeon, as he strives for the top again with his indomitable spirit after being defeated by his disciple. With its detail-oriented direction and the actors’ vivid portrayals of their characters, the movie is expected to continue fascinating audiences. 

More to come in 2025

Kakao Entertainment has even more to offer in 2025. The Disney+ original series “Nine Puzzles” (Directed by Yoon Jong-bin / Produced by Moonlight Film, Kakao Entertainment), starring actors Kim Da-mi and Son Suk-ku, will hit the platform in the first half of 2025. It is a mystery thriller portraying how “a witness and a detective solve murders that have resurfaced with a mysterious puzzle piece.” “Nine Puzzles” is also capturing attention as the second series from director Yoon Jong-bin, known for his hit, “Narco-Saints.”

Also included in the 2025 roster are the Netflix series “Two Women” (Directed by Jo Yeong-min / Written by Song Hye-jin / Produced by Kakao Entertainment) featuring Kim Go-eun and Park Ji-hyun, SBS’ “The Mantis: Original Sin” (Directed by Byun Young-joo / Written by Lee Young-jong / Planned by Studio S / Produced by Mega Monster, Merry Christmas) starring actors Ko Hyun-jung and Jang Dong-yoon, and “Eunsoo Good Day” (Literal title; Directed by Song Hyun-wook / Written by Jeon Yeong-shin / Produced by Baram Pictures, Slingshot Studios) featuring Lee Young-ae, Kim Young-kwang and Park Yong-woo.

“Through IP crossover projects utilizing our original story IPs, along with the synergies created by Kakao Entertainment and its subsidiaries, we will showcase a variety of well-crafted works that evoke both laughter and emotion,” Kakao Entertainment said.