Kim Hye Soo and Ju Ji Hoon's K-Drama "Hyena" Gets a Japanese Remake

The highly acclaimed drama Hyena, which featured the renowned actors Kim Hye Soo and Ju Ji Hoon, is set to get a Japanese remake.

KeyEast, an entertainment company, revealed on September 12th, "The Japanese remake of the 2020 SBS drama Hyena is slated to premiere on TV Tokyo on October 20th (Friday)". 

The iconic role of Jung Geum Ja (originally portrayed by Kim Hye Soo) will be played by Shinohara Ryoko, Japan's most celebrated actress known for her commanding presence in hit Japanese dramas like Unfair and Last Cinderella. Meanwhile, the role of Yoon Hee Jae (originally played by Ju Ji Hoon) will be taken by Yamazaki Ikusaburo, a versatile actor who is well-known for his musicals. He has expanded his career through J-dramas such as Liaison: Kodomo no Kokoro Shinryosho and DCU, gaining widespread attention.

The forthcoming broadcast of the Japanese remake of Hyena on TV Tokyo, one of Japan's leading private broadcasters, holds special significance as it marks the first Korean production to be remade in Japan since the network's inception. Furthermore, the drama is anticipated to air not only on TV Tokyo but also on TV Osaka, TV Aichi, TV Setouchi, TV Hokkaido, and TVQ Kyushu channels. Additionally, it will be simultaneously available on Netflix and the Japanese domestic OTT platform TVer.

Park Sung Hye, the CEO of KeyEast, expressed, "Hyena is expanding its presence in the Northeast Asian market, succeeding in entering Japan after exporting remake rights to China last year. This Japanese remake contract is particularly important, as it not only includes a license agreement but a distribution agreement also for additional revenue generated". "Looking ahead, we plan to expand IP sales to various regions in Asia, including Taiwan and China, as well as North America and Europe, and plan to make remakes, installments, etc.".

Hyena tells a gripping tale of lawyers representing the elite 1%. Upon its broadcast, the K-drama garnered high domestic viewership ratings, reaching 18%, thanks to the excellent direction of director Jang Tae Yoo and the stellar performances of actors Kim Hye Soo and Ju Ji Hoon.

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