Following the global success of its first-half projects “When Life Gives You Tangerines,” “Karma” and “Nine Puzzles,” Kakao Entertainment aims to maintain its momentum in the second half, filing its pipeline with highly anticipated series starring top-tier actors.
Kakao Entertainment has solidified its global studio presence through a robust studio system, fostering organic synergy with its subsidiary production houses while reinforcing its IP crossover strategy. Among the 11 Korean titles that entered Netflix’s TOP 100 most-watched series in the first half of 2025, 3 were produced by Kakao Entertainment: “When Life Gives You Tangerines” (No. 19; 34.8 million views,) “When the Phone Rings” (No. 77; 14.3 million views,) and “Karma” (No. 92; 12.7 million views.) View counts were calculated by dividing total hours viewed by each show’s runtime, according to Netflix’s Engagement Report.
Notably, “Karma” and “When the Phone Rings” are shining examples of Kakao Entertainment’s IP crossover strategy. The company adapted its popular webtoon and web novel into dramas on its own, illuminating the unique charms of the original works while adding fresh elements tailored for new adaptations. In the case of “Karma,” Kakao Entertainment produced the series with its subsidiaries Moonlight Film and Baram Pictures, creating powerful synergy.
“When Life Gives You Tangerines” not only demonstrated its popularity with high views, but also its artistic quality with multiple trophies at awards ceremonies. “Nine Puzzles” garnered positive reviews as a well-crafted title. “The Match” also ranked No. 5 on Netflix’s weekly top 10 chart for non-English movies, and “Dark Nuns” were sold to 160 countries, enthralling global audiences.
Kakao Entertainment plans to continue its winning streak in the second half of 2025 with a slate of new projects. Featuring high-profile actors like Ko Hyun-jung, Lee Young-ae and Kim Go-eun, renowned for their acting prowess and screen presence, the company aims to deliver premium content with fresh subject matters across diverse genres.
The Mantis: Original Sin
The first in the lineup is the SBS’ “The Mantis: Original Sin” (Directed by Byun Young-joo / Written by Lee Young-jong / Planned by Studio S), set to premiere on Sept. 5. Kakao Entertainment’s subsidiary Mega Monster joined forces with Merry Christmas and Docu-Factory Vista to co-produce this work.
“The Mantis: Original Sin” is a high-intensity crime thriller following a brutal serial killer known as “The Mantis,” who was caught over 20 years ago. When a copycat begins imitating her crimes, a detective ― the son of “The Mantis” ― unexpectedly teams up with his mother, whom he has hated his whole life, to solve the case.
Ko Hyun-jung plays the seductive yet chilling Jung Yi-shin, while Jang Dong-yoon takes on the role of her son, Cha Soo-yeol, who must face intense action and complex emotions as he works alongside the mother he hates. Anticipation is high to see how Ko and Jang will bring this shocking and unconventional mother-son dynamic to life.
You and Everything Else
The Netflix series “You and Everything Else” (Directed by Jo Yeong-min / Written by Song Hye-jin), produced by Kakao Entertainment, will launch in 190 countries on Sept. 12.
Starring Kim Go-eun and Park Ji-hyun, the series chronicles the journey of two friends in an enduring, complicated love-hate relationship, who find their lives intricately linked as they cross each other’s paths through various phases in life. Like a sweeping panorama, the series will unfold their lifelong story spanning their teens, 20s, 30s and 40s, as they grow apart and reconnect multiple times. Seemingly ordinary, Ryu Eun-jung (Kim Go-eun) possesses a candid charm that naturally draws people in. Cheon Sang-yeon (Park Ji-hyun,) on the other hand, is smart, talented and raised with comfort and abundance, yet has always envied Ryu. As the drama delicately explores how they were once each other’s most cherished person ― and how that ended up driving them apart ― it delves deep into their complex inner worlds, offering a powerful sense of immersion.
Walking on Thin Ice
KBS2TV’s “Walking on Thin Ice” (Directed by Song Hyun-wook / Written by Jeon Yeong-shin) is scheduled to release its first episode on Sept. 20.
The drama zooms in on the risky collaboration between Kang Eun-soo, who is determined to protect her family, and Lee Kyung, a double-faced teacher, after they accidentally discover a bag of drugs. Lee Young-ae stars as Kang, an ordinary housewife driven to the brink, portraying the emotional complexity of a character in an extreme situation with her signature subtlety and depth. Kim Young-kwang assumes the role of Lee, an art instructor by day and an enigmatic club MD by night. Balancing between good and evil, Lee is a key figure who adds tension to the story with his cold, unreadable, yet undeniably compelling presence. “Walking on Thin Ice” is also generating buzz as a co-production between the acclaimed Baram Pictures and Slingshot Studios.
Source: Press Release
