Han Hyo-joo’s Japanese drama success draws attention from Hollywood producers

It may be a Japanese drama, but it doesn’t feel foreign — not just because its lead actress is Korean. With themes of inheritance battles, love triangles, and emotional redemption, the Netflix Japan original “Romantics Anonymous” carries the dramatic DNA familiar to K-drama fans. Adding to its emotional pull is the soundtrack featuring Park Hye-kyung’s “Confession,” amplifying what fans describe as “a taste we already know.” Released on Oct. 16, the series follows a man suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder and a talented chocolatier with social anxiety (Han Hyo-joo). Though directed by a Japanese filmmaker, it was planned and produced by Korea’s Yong Film with a Korean writer penning the script. Blending Japan’s understated style with the emotional intensity of Korean storytelling, the show topped Netflix Japan’s TV series chart and ranked No. 6 globally on the platform’s Tudum list as of Oct. 28. The drama’s success highlights the growing “With K” trend — cross-border collaborations driven by the global appeal of Korean creators and production sWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times