{
  "id": 13903982,
  "title": "'KiDnap Game,' 'Merry Berry Love' show how Korea-Japan dramas are evolving",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/kidnap-game-merry-berry-love-show-how-korea-japan-dramas-are-evolving-13903982",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-12T08:02:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/shows-dramas/20261012/kidnap-game-merry-berry-love-show-how-korea-japan-dramas-are-evolving"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Two new Korean-Japanese television dramas, KiDnap Game and Merry Berry Love, showcase the evolving nature of collaborations between the two nations. Rather than simply pairing stars from Korea and Japan, these series demonstrate how producers are integrating different production methods and storytelling approaches from the outset. The goal is to appeal to audiences not only in their respective countries but also beyond.\n\nChannel A's KiDnap Game, which debuted on Tuesday, is a gripping thriller that centers around a unique series of kidnappings unfolding simultaneously in seven Asian cities: Seoul, Tokyo, Taipei, Singapore, Bangkok, Manila, and Naha. This joint production involving Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong features Japanese actor Kentaro Sakaguchi alongside Korean star Lee Joon-gi. This marks the first time these two actors have collaborated on a project.\n\nOn the same day, CJ ENM's Merry Berry Love premiered on Japan's Nippon TV and Disney+. This cross-border romance follows Yubin, a Korean spatial designer, as she navigates life and love across borders. The production reflects the growing trend of Korea-Japan collaborations that transcend the conventional pairing of stars and instead focus on the fusion of production systems and narrative styles to create content that resonates with a wider audience.",
  "summary": "Korean and Japanese creators are increasingly joining forces on television dramas, but the latest wave of collaborations is moving beyond the once-novel spectacle of simply putting stars from the two countries together. Two new series, \"KiDnap Game\" and \"Merry Berry Love,\" illustrate how Korea-Japan co-productions are evolving as producers combine different production systems and storytelling…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "'KiDnap Game,' 'Merry Berry Love' show how Korea-Japan dramas are evolving",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/kidnap-game-merry-berry-love-show-how-korea-japan-dramas-are-evolving",
        "published": "2026-10-12T07:42:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}