KBS2's new drama "Uncontrollably Fond" now took over "Descendants of the Sun" spot as the most expensively distributed Korean drama series in China. The on-going melodrama, which stars Kim Woo Bin and Bae Suzy, premiered on July 6.
The good news came to light when an industry insider spilled the beans to Korea's iSplus Joins on July 7. The unnamed insider claimed that "Uncontrollably Fond" has been sold to China for $400,000 per episode, a total of $8 million for the full series.
This is the first time that a domestic TV drama has been sold for such higher price. tvN's "Entourage" was bought in for $300,000 per episode, while the massive hit "Descendants of the Sun" was only sold for $250,000 per episode. "Uncontrollably Fond's" hefty distribution price is credited to its solid story content, ensemble cast members and unique theme.
It is said that Kim and Suzy's tremendous prominence in China also contributed to the show's popularity growth in the country. The former has been well known in China since "The Heirs" in 2013, while the latter has an apparent wide reputation in the country, as a member of the South Korean-Chinese girl group, Miss A.
"Uncontrollably Fond" is another pre-produced drama, taking after the groundbreaking success of "Descendants of the Sun." The filming began on Nov. 26, 2015, at Kyungnam University in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea and successfully wrapped up on April 12.
Helmed by Park Hyun Suk and Cha Young Hoon, the 20-episode romantic drama follows the story of Sin Joon Yeong (Kim) and No Eul (Suzy), who parted on bad terms in the past, reuniting later as a superstar and a documentary producer, respectively. The drama is expected to expose an assorted set of feelings that one can experience when in love - passion, excitement, maturity, separation, and loss.
"Writer Lee Kyung-hee used to say that she wanted to write a story that compares love's different feelings to the different features of the four seasons," Asia Times quoted producer Park Hyun-Seok as saying during a press conference in central Seoul. "It is not about one side of love, but all different kinds of feelings one can feel as love deepens."
Check out "Uncontrollably Fond's" latest episode below: