While Disney has announced that it is planning on cutting back on the number of general entertainment shows and international originals, it creates for Disney+.  There is still going to be great new content heading to our screens as Disney has announced details on its upcoming slate of Asian Originals for the rest of the year.  This includes some new Korean drama series, “Moving” and “The Worst Of Evil”, plus another collaboration with Hybe, “BTS Monuments: Beyond The Star”.  There will also be plenty of new anime from Japan, with “Tokyo Revengers: Teknik Arc”, plus a hybrid live-action and anime series “Dragons Of Wonderhatch”.

The Korean drama, “Moving” is coming to the streaming service on August 9th 2023 and is based on Kangfull’s webtoon about a group of superpowered individuals on the run from government forces and a mysterious assassin. Ryu Seungryong, Han Hyojoo and Zo Insung head the cast.

Later this year, “The Worst Of Evil” will be released on Disney+ and is set in 1990s Seoul, where a rural police officer is recruited to help bring down a trafficking gang pushing a potent new drug.   This new Korean drama stars Ji Changwook, Wi Hajun and Lim Semi.

And the documentary series, “BTS Monuments: Beyond The Star” charts the K-pop megastars’ journey over the past nine years, based on “unprecedented access to a vast library of music and footage”.  This new series features the “daily lives, thoughts and plans of BTS members, as they prepare for their second chapter”.   There will also be a new music documentary called “NCT 127: The Lost Boys“, which is also heading to Disney+ soon.

Also heading to our screens this year is the followup to “Soundtrack #1”, called “Soundtrack #2”, which is once again directed by Kim Heewon, but will feature a new story and star Keum Saerok and Steve Sanghyun Noh.   A new Korean crime drama called “Vigilante” and a comedy series “Han River Police” will also be heading to the streaming platform later this year.

From Japan, a new live-action/anime hybrid series, “Dragons Of Wonderhatch”, will star Sena Nakajima, Daiken Okudaira and Mackenyu in a fantasy tale set in a land where dragons and humans co-exist.  Also coming later this month is the Japanese anime series, “Synduality Noir”, and an ice show performance by Japanese ice-skater Yuzuru Hanyu.   There is also another new anime series called “PHOENIX: EDEN17.”

Coming to Disney+ in 2024 will be two new Korean drama series, “A Shop For Killers” and “Red Swan”, with “House Of The Owl” and “Murai In Love” coming to Disney+ later this year from Japan.

Over the past two years, Disney has released more than 20 original titles across the Asia Pacific region, and they’ve been a big hit, according to Carol Choi, Executive Vice President of Original Content Strategy, The Walt Disney Company APAC:

“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, centred 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.”

Thriller “Gannibal” and anime “Tokyo Revengers” have both been big hits in Japan, with the Korean drama “Dr. Romantic” ranked number one in the majority of APAC markets in its first month based on hours watched.

As with previous Korean and Japanese Disney+ Originals, expect to see these shows released globally on Disney+, except for in the US, where the more mature shows are likely to be released on Hulu.   Also recently, it was announced that Disney was closing down its traditional linear television stations in many countries across Asia, as they focus their efforts on boosting Disney+ throughout the region.

Which new Disney+ Original from Korea and Japan are you looking forward to watching this year?

Roger Palmer

Roger has been a Disney fan since he was a kid and this interest has grown over the years. He has visited Disney Parks around the globe and has a vast collection of Disney movies and collectibles. He is the owner of What's On Disney Plus & DisKingdom. Email: Roger@WhatsOnDisneyPlus.com Twitter: Twitter.com/RogPalmerUK Facebook: Facebook.com/rogpalmeruk

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