IU performs onstage during the MelOn Music Awards at Olympic Gymnasium on November 14, 2013 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo : Getty Images/Chung Sung-Jun)
The upcoming SBS drama "Scarlet Heart: Ryeo," starring Lee Joon-Gi, IU and Kang Ha-Neul, has sold their broadcasting rights at a record price. The 20-episode historical drama is based on the Chinese novel "Bu Bu Jing Xin" by Tong Hua.
On Aug. 25, Thursday, the drama's production company, The Wind that Carries Wishes, revealed that the historical drama has been sold to China's Youku Tudou at $400,000 per episode, The Kpop Herald reported. A total of $8 million for the full series.
According to the production company, the cost per episode would have been more if not for the rising political tension between Korea and China over the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system. "Scarlet Heart: Ryeo's" hefty distribution price is ascribed to its solid story content and ensemble cast members.
SBS's "Scarlet Heart: Ryeo" marks the first time that a domestic television drama has been sold for such higher price. It can be recalled that the massive hit "Descendants of the Sun" was only sold for $250,000 per episode, while tvN's "Entourage" was bought in for $300,00 per episode.
It is believed that the main cast's enormous prominence in China also contributed to "Scarlet Heart: Ryeo's" popularity growth in the country. The upcoming SBS drama also stars Hong Jong-Hyun, Yoon Sun-Woo, EXO's Baekhyun, Nam Joo-Hyuk and Ji Soo.
"Scarlet Heart: Ryeo" follows a 21st-century woman, Go Ha-Jin (IU), who is sent back to the Goryeo Dynasty during King Taejo's (Jo Min-Gi) reign. There, she finds herself trapped in the body of a 16-year-old, Hae Soo, and befriended with King Taejo's sons, who were fighting for the throne and her love.
"Through Hae Soo, viewers will be able to experience what it is like for a 21st-century person to enter the Goryeo period," a representative from the drama said, according to Korean news outlet TV Report, as cited by Naver TV. "They can enjoy watching her learn to adapt and grow."
"Scarlet Heart: Ryeo" will air its first two-episode back-to-back on Aug. 29, 10:00 PM (KST). It will be simultaneously broadcast on Japan's KNTV, Youku and Mango TV in China, and ONE TV Asia in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Check out the trailer below:
