Ji-woo-hime’s starpower brings in foreign coin
I would have thought that a Choi Ji-woo drama would have been sold to Japan months in advance, but apparently they’ve just licensed A Star’s Lover. The amount: approximately $2 million (or 27 billion won).
Broken down into episodes, that is about $100,000 per installment (with 20 episodes in all). However, the money train doesn’t end there: additional overseas contracts will bring the series an estimated $5 million in foreign revenues.
The Japanese are also looking to license the series official soundtrack, and have bid $1 million. With each additional contract, the series is raking in more money and raising its value. That’s good news in a bad economy and an industry-wide slump that has productions otherwise lowering budgets and actors cutting salaries across the board.
Long live Ji-woo-hime, eh?
Via Hankook Ilbo
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Tags: A Star's Lover, Choi Ji-woo
Yeah, Star’s Lover was mainly targeted for the international (i.e. Japan) market, who would very much view her as the superstar that she is in the show. The Japanese setting, the drama score, the fact that they’re reunited her with the writer of Winter Sonata. Perfect Hallyu product.
Ji-woo is one of the most fangirl’d actress in Japan and Taiwan; it’s just that fangirls are middle-class housewives, who put themselves in her roles (and buy the bulk of DBSK and Super Junior records!!) Three of her dramas rank in the top 7 or 8 favorite Korean dramas in Japan. The international popularity of Kwon Sang Woo, Lee Byung Hun, Park Yong Ha, and (lesser degree?) Ryu Shi Won trace back to her.
Yes, lots of people love her in Taiwan. I’m from Taiwan and my first k-drama was CJW’s. After that, I’ve turned into a k-drama addict.
This drama will earn lots of $$$ from the international market.
More than a princess… I would say a wise ant.
The winter is approaching.
I hope and will pray for this drama to come to Thailand too !!!!!!
Star’s Lover Fighting…Jiwoo Fighting
yay for choijiwoo
Now I’m sure, Korea would be the first one to overcome this Global Financial Crisis…if this keeps up
“Now I’m sure, Korea would be the first one to overcome this Global Financial Crisis…if this keeps u”
Oh no doubt. If I could invest in Ji Woo Inc or Yoon Sa Ma Corp, I would never have to sell my kidney again!
i like this drama because this drama different with korean’s drama last time.
korean’s drama always same type but this drama totally different
i hope this drama make people fever agains to korean drama.(same winter sonata last time)
i wait air city coming to malaysia’s tv
This drama may not have been popular in Korea but I’m willing to bet that Star Lovers will make millions for SBS in the foreign market…the story line, characters, modern romance without totally sacrificing confucian ideals but without the melodrama is so appealing to non-Koreans…East of Eden, Boys before Flowers will pale in comparison…
I’m very confident Star’s Lover will be well received in foreign countries especially in Japan, Taiwan ,China & other asian countries. The drama already earned a lot of money from Japan. How about the other countries. How about the soundtracks & other products related to this drama. In my opinion, the quality of Star’s Lover surpassed all the dramas that were playing when it was shown in South Korea . I just felt bad that it didn’t become popular in S. Korea.. If only they knew what they missed. Star’s Lover I think was the most watched Korean drama in the internet when it was showing in South Korea. I for one will be waiting for the release of its DVD. It’s a drama you can watch over & over.
not quite surprising. i think kdramas sell more overseas than in its own country…..