Embrace an unforgettable journey through Asia as Disney+ introduces a powerhouse line-up of APAC originals, including the Korean headliner “Moving” and an array of compelling dramas, riveting music-documentaries from Korea, as well as captivating Japanese live-action and anime series.
Since its lauded 2022 Content Showcase, Disney+ has been the home of over 20 must-see APAC titles. But brace yourself, as this popular streaming service is set to redefine entertainment with a curated trove of new originals and quality storytelling, exclusively streaming from late 2023 through to 2024.
Capturing Audiences with Exceptional APAC Originals
Disney’s APAC originals have garnered positive consumer response throughout the first half of the year. For instance, season two of the enthralling Korean crime-action series, Big Bet, starring the iconic actor Choi Minsik, replaced season one as the most-watched locally produced original series on Disney+ in Korea during its premiere week. Moreover, the captivating Korean drama series Dr. Romantic held the #1 spot in most APAC markets based on hours watched during its first month, while the live-action Japanese thriller Gannibal and anime Tokyo Revengers made it to the top five most-watched titles in Japan in their first week of launch.
Carol Choi, Executive Vice President of Original Content Strategy, The Walt Disney Company APAC, revealed, “With the success of our initial wave of APAC originals, we will continue to build on this momentum by delivering exceptional storytelling through the second half of 2023 and beyond. Thrillers, crime-action and fantasy, centered on strong storylines from Korea and Japan, are resonating with audiences and we look forward to continued collaboration with leading content creators and storytellers from this region.”
APAC Originals: Korea’s Contributions
In the second half of 2023 through 2024, Disney will be launching some of its most anticipated local APAC originals and stories, including:
From Korea:
- Moving – Adapted from the smash webtoon of the same name by famed Korean author Kangfull, Moving stars Ryu Seungryong, Han Hyojoo and Zo Insung in a captivating story about a group of superpowered individuals on the run from government forces and a mysterious assassin who has been dispatched to take them all out. Moving is slated to debut exclusively on Disney+on August 9.
- The Worst of Evil – In 1990s Seoul, a former DJ seizes control of a gang and begins pushing a potent new drug (nicknamed “Gangnam Crystal”) in the city’s nightclubs. With little known about the source of this drug, rural police officer Park Joonmo is recruited to bring down the trafficking triangle from the inside. Slated to debut later this year exclusively on Disney+, this new series stars Ji Changwook; Squid Game actor Wi Hajun, and Lim Semi.
- Vigilante – A star student at the police academy, Jiyong is a burgeoning martial arts master and a bookish academic who has spent over a decade haunted by the image of his mother being murdered in front of him by a stranger. Exacting his revenge on the non-repentant offender, Jiyong is set along a path that will see him target other offenders, using the knowledge gained at the police academy to avoid being caught in Vigilante
- Soundtrack #2 – In 2022, Soundtrack #1 captured audiences with its touching story of unrequited love and emotionally poignant score. With Soundtrack #2, this fan-favorite series returns late 2023 with a new storyline of two young sweethearts who break up after six years together, only to be reconnected again. Starring Keum Saerok and Steve Sanghyun Noh, Soundtrack #2 will also see the return of Kim Heewon, the director behind the show’s hit first series.
- BTS Monuments: Beyond The Star – An exclusive Disney+ original and part of Disney’s collaboration with HYBE, this music docu-series will chart the incredible journey of 21st century pop icons BTS. With unprecedented access to a vast library of music and footage over the past nine years, the series will feature the daily lives, thoughts and plans of BTS members, as they prepare for their second chapter.
- Han River Police – Starring Kwone Sangwoo and Kim Hiewon, this upcoming Korean fictional comedy action series follows the crazy antics of Seoul’s Han River Police Force as they patrol the waterways and respond to emergency situations including terrorist incidents, accidents and more.
From Japan:
- Dragons of Wonderhatch – A hybrid story set in both the “real world” and an anime land called Upananta where dragons and humans coexist, Dragons of Wonderhatch tells the cross-dimensional story of Nagi, a high school student who feels out of place; Thaim, a dragon rider who communicates with dragons in Upananta, and Aktha, a dragon rider hero. Dragons of Wonderhatch stars Sena Nakajima, Daiken Okudaira and Mackenyu.
- A Town Without Seasons – When the Nani disaster hit Japan 12 years ago, countless residents had their lives turned upside down and were bundled into temporary housing left to rebuild their lives. This Japanese live action original tells the story of Hansuke, recruited to spy on the remaining residents but ends up recognizing the makeshift town as his new home and coming to terms with the disaster that took almost everything from him.
- Tokyo Revengers: Tenjiku Arc – The popular anime series, part of Disney’s collaboration with Japanese publishing house Kodansha, returns with the fan-favorite Tenjiku Arc depicting the “Kanto Incident” and the last war between the Tokyo Manji Gang, led by Manjiro Sano; and the Tenjiku, led by Izana Kurokawa. Will Takemichi, the former bad boy turned time traveler, be able to stop a tragedy in the past to save the present? Tune in this October to find out!
- PHOENIX: EDEN17 – Produced by STUDIO4°C and based on the legendary manga “PHOENIX” by Osamu Tezuka, this series follows Romi and her partner as they flee the dystopian hellscape of earth in the hope of a better life on the planet Eden, only to discover that Eden no longer exists.
Wrapping up 2023 will be the music docu-series NCT 127: The Lost Boys, Japanese anime SYNDUALITY Noir, and an ice show performance by Japanese ice-skater Yuzuru Hanyu. As we step into 2024, viewers can anticipate more thrilling narratives such as Korea’s A Shop For Killers and Red Swan, and Japan’s House of the Owl and Murai In Love. This promises a future filled with an ever-expanding collection of gripping stories from APAC, ready to capture the hearts of audiences globally.
As we draw the curtain on this grand spectacle of upcoming APAC content, it’s clear that Disney+ continues to redefine our entertainment experience, delivering unmatched storytelling from every corner of the world. From heart-thumping Korean dramas, soul-stirring music documentaries, to the mesmerizing blend of Japanese live-action and anime, the thrill is only beginning. So why wait? Embark on an unforgettable journey of extraordinary tales and captivating characters. Head over to Disney+ and start streaming now! It’s your turn to dive into a world where magic comes alive and dreams never end. Join Disney+ and become a part of the story that never stops unfolding.
