ANN/THE KOREA HERALD – Korean streaming platform Wavve is currently undertaking a “New Classic” project, which will bring popular K-dramas from the past such as My Lovely Sam Soon and I’m Sorry, I Love You, in a new format, according to The Korea Herald following an interview with a company marketing executive.
The original 70-minute, 16-episode series will be condensed into 40-50 minute episodes with 6-8 episodes per series, and will feature new soundtracks performed by today’s popular singers.
According to Wavve officials, the biggest concern is that the remake projects could be seen as merely condensed versions of the originals. They emphasize that the content will be much more than that, featuring substantial updates to reflect the viewing habits of today’s audiences.
“In considering how to enhance dramas in 2024, I felt that modernising the audio would be the most effective way to transform the overall atmosphere of the series,” said Han.
Han explained that the project was launched with the hope of viewers consuming series as “brands”.
“Despite a vast content library, new K-dramas are primarily what viewers consume. Unlike books, which are updated with revised editions, or movies that are remastered, dramas are mainly enjoyed as new releases,” Han said.
“To counter this trend, we initiated this project, aiming to have series enjoyed in a manner similar to how books and movies are revisited,” Han added.
“For example, if Sam-soon was seen as a pitiable single woman obsessed with marriage in her 30s back when My Lovely Sam Soon was released, today she can be viewed as a 30-year-old woman who is a strong and independent individual who knows how to speak her mind and love herself,” said Han.
“Watching the remake series today will offer audiences insight into how perspectives have evolved over time. (In promotional events for the remake,) I hope to include a GV (a public talk with the series’ participants) to delve into Sam-soon’s career-related story,” said Han.
Han noted that while the official release dates haven’t been set, the series will likely align with the seasons depicted, such as a winter launch for I’m Sorry, I Love You.
“There are series that came close to being remade, but didn’t, such as Coffee Prince, Boys Over Flowers and Princess Hours, for reasons including controversies involving the celebrities who starred in them, or the news that they would be remade from scratch,” she said.
“If this year’s project succeeds, I personally hope to create a special focusing on Kim Eun-sook,” Han added. Kim is the renowned screenwriter behind hits such as Secret Garden and Descendants of The Sun.
