"The Walking Dead" creator Robert Kirkman, whose comic book creation is the basis for six successful seasons of "The Walking Dead" TV series, now ventures into Korean drama with "Five Year." Robert Kirkman and "The Walking Dead" co-producer David Alpert, will produce the K-drama under their Skybound Entertainment entertainment in cooperation with Viki.
While questions may surface over the choice of Korean drama for "Five Year," Deadline Hollywood reports that both Kirkman and Alpert are big fans of the Korean drama format as well as Korean culture. Both Robert Kirkman and David Alpert are of the opinion that Korean drama has strong potential both for producers and for viewers.
"As devoted fans of Korean cinema, television and culture, we're thrilled to be launching what we hope is the first of many collaborations with the Korean entertainment industry," Alpert said. "Five Year, which tells the story of one family dealing with the impending apocalypse, is the perfect property to launch our partnership. It highlights the intense interpersonal moments that Korean dramas capture so well and sets them against the epic backdrop for which Skybound has become known."
Skybound Entertainment, which is co-founded by Robert Kirkman and David Alpert is the "home" of "The Walking Dead" comic book, as the Skybound Entertainment site boasts. Besides "The Walking Dead" Skybound is also known for other comic titles as "Outcast," "Invincible," "Birthright" and "Thief Of Thieves." Skybound has also worked on the film "AIR."
For his part, Robert Kirkman talks about the move away from the zombie sub-genre and the LA scene to tell a story of apocalyptic doom in "Five Year" through Korean drama. "This has been a story I have wanted to tell for quite some time, but [fellow Skybound co-founder David Alpert] and I wanted to make sure it found a proper home where it could grow and breathe creatively," Kirkman explained. "Looking at what Viki has done in not only the dramatic series space but transforming the way viewers consume and translate media, we knew immediately 'Five Year' had found its home."
We’ve partnered with @Viki to produce a pre-apocalyptic K-drama called FIVE YEAR! So cool!https://t.co/NKw3b2gR29 pic.twitter.com/0Miy6zEiRT
— Skybound (@Skybound) February 25, 2016
Kirkman and Alpert plans for "Five Year" to run for five seasons where the first season will unfold across 16 episodes. "Five Year" will initially broadcast on Korean TV, after which it will air worldwide via Viki.
IGN reports that filming for "Five Year" will begin later in 2016. Skybound is also currently looking for broadcast partners in Korea for the K-drama "Five Year."
