Source:
https://scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3026317/hit-k-drama-series-sky-castle-gets-english-language Celebrities
Hit K-drama series SKY Castle gets an English-language remake by NBC: this is what we know
NBC’s pilot episode of original Korean TV series, which attracted record cable TV audiences, likely to resonate in US after 2019 university admissions bribery scandal
The cast of the hit 2019 South Korean television drama SKY Castle – focusing on parental obsession with gaining admission for their children into elite universities – which is to be remade by the US television network NBC. Photo: JTBC
One of the biggest South Korean television drama hits of the year – focusing on a group of wealthy housewives and the lengths they will go to get their children into elite universities – is to be remade as an American version by the US television network NBC.
A US pilot episode based on the Korean drama SKY Castle – tentatively titled TriBeCa, after the wealthy neighbourhood in Lower Manhattan, New York – is to be made by NBC, although there is a strong possibility that it will become a series, according to reports.
The Korean series, shown from November 2018 to February 2019, centres on a group of housewives living in a luxurious residential area of Seoul, who are determined to ensure their children find places at exclusive universities.
The subject matter is likely to resonate with US audiences following the 2019 university admissions bribery scandal.
The subject matter will resonate with US audiences following the 2019 university admissions bribery scandal … which saw influential parents accused of using their power to bribe some people at top American universities in return for places for their children
An investigation, nicknamed Operation Varsity Blues, took place into the conspiracy to influence the decisions of undergraduate admissions at several top American universities, which saw influential parents accused of using their power to bribe individuals at top American universities in return for places for their children.
Some children had their entry examination grades modified, or were given fake sports profiles so they could join university sports teams – even though they did not actually play the sport – to help them gain places at US universities.
Acclaimed producers, including Jessica Queller, who was behind the success of American teenage drama Gossip Girl, will join the US production.
Yoo Hyun-mi, the writer of the original drama, said last week that American entertainment company Warner Bros had been involved in discussions about a US remake.
“Korea is not the only country grappling with excessive [focus on] private education,” Yoo said at the 14th Asian TV Drama Conference in Incheon.
“When I wrote SKY Castle, I thought people from other countries could empathise with my drama.”
She said she was curious how the American version would look.
The original 20-episode SKY Castle series – revolving around the obsession of upper-class Korean families for elite university education – attracted a record 23.8 per cent viewership in South Korea in February – an unprecedented rating for a cable television series this year.
“SKY” refers to the first initials of the three most prestigious but competitive Korean universities – Seoul National University, Korea University and Yonsei University.
Want more stories like this? Sign up here. Follow STYLE on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.
This article was originally written by Dong Sun-hwa for The Korea Times .