IP Localization: Key Factors Behind the Overseas Success of Adapting BL Manga “Cherry Magic” into TV Dramas

Location

Main Stage

Event Time

2024/11/06 11:30 - 2024/11/06 12:30

Registration Period

2024/09/30 - 2024/10/28

*THE SESSION WILL BE CONDUCTED IN CHINESE, JAPANESE AND THAI, WITH INTERPRETATION INCLUDING ENGLISH.

The BL late-night drama “Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!”, adapted from the manga, sparked a sensation across Asia. Even before the movie version was released, international rights had already been snapped up. In March this year, the final episode of the Thai TV adaptation garnered 1.64 million shares on Instagram. In this session, we are excited to have “Cherry Magic!” Japanese drama and film director KAZAMA Hiroki, producer HOMMA Kanami, and Thai adaptation director Nuttapong MONGKOLSAWAS join the forum to discuss the challenges and insights behind adapting the manga into Japanese and Thai series. Come and experience the charm of “Cherry Magic”!

Guest Introductions

Moderator：Anita SUNG｜Video Market Corporation | Department Manager, Chief Producer Asian Content Department

Anita SUNG is a Taipei-born content producer currently based in Tokyo. She graduated from the Directing Program of the Department of Theatre Arts at Taipei National University of the Arts in 2001, and received her master’s degree in Film Production from the Japan Institute of the Moving Image in 2011. Since 2010, she has been engaged in Chinese-language content production, acquisition, and international co-productions in Japan. In 2016, she also began participating in content development.

Productions she has worked on include the Taiwanese series “See Your Love” (2024), “Kiseki: Dear to Me” (2023), “Plus & Minus” (2022), “See You After Quarantine” (2021), “Be Loved in House: I Do” (2021), and “Miss in Kiss” (2016). as well as the Japanese series “Old Fashioned Cupcake” (2022), and “Life: Love on the Line” (2020).

Panelist：Nuttapong MONGKOLSAWAS｜GMMTV COMPANY LIMITED｜Senior Director Content Production

Nuttapong MONGKOLSAWAS is a well-known Thai director, producer, and executive who has made significant contributions to the Thai entertainment industry. He has directed and produced numerous popular Thai dramas and series, including “Wolf”, “Theory of Love”, “Vice Versa”, “Our Skyy”, and “Cherry Magic”.

Panelist：KAZAMA Hiroki｜AOI Pro.｜Director

KAZAMA Hiroki was born in 1991 in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. In 2020, he directed the drama series “Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You A Wizard?!”, which gained popularity worldwide and led to a film adaptation in 2022. That same year, he directed the drama series “silent”, which sparked widespread discussion and accumulated 73 million online views. He has won many prizes, including the 2023 Oyama Katsumi Award, making him its youngest recipient in history. His latest works include the series “Umi no Hajimari” and the film “Buzzy Noise”.

Panelist：HOMMA Kanami｜TV TOKYO | Producer

HOMMA Kanami planned and produced the series “Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You A Wizard?!”, which won the Galaxy Award and the My Best TV Award in December 2020, and was later adapted into a film in 2022. In 2023, she planned and produced the original Japanese drama “SHUT UP”, which explores themes of poverty, social division, and sexual violence. The series stood out among the 201 entries from 16 countries at the 2024 Asian Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards, earning nominations for Best Asian TV Series, Best Writing, and Best Newcomer Actress.Her other notable works include the drama series “Ukiwa: Tomodachi Ijo, Furin Miman” (2021) and “Konya Sukiyaki Dayo” (2023).