Viki's 'Dive Into You' Signals New Era for Global K-Drama Production

SAN MATEO, CA – May 27, 2026 – Rakuten Viki, a global leader in Asian entertainment streaming, has announced a new original K-drama, Dive Into You, set to premiere exclusively on its platform later this year. The fantasy rom-com brings together rising stars Kim Ji Yeon, of K-pop group WJSN and acclaimed dramas like Twenty-Five Twenty-One, and Park Seo Ham, who gained international fame with Semantic Error. The series is not just another addition to the K-drama landscape; it represents a significant international collaboration between Viki, Korean production house Dexter Pictures, and Amuse Entertainment, the Korean subsidiary of the Japanese entertainment titan, Amuse Inc.

Dive Into You tells the story of Yoon Ha Na (Kim Ji Yeon), a celebrity actress who, after a near-fatal accident, is thrown back in time and finds herself in the body of her twin brother. With a new identity, she embarks on a mission to alter fate and save her childhood friend and first love, bodyguard Jung Woo Jae (Park Seo Ham). The intriguing plot combines popular elements of time travel, body-swapping, and fated romance, positioning it as a highly anticipated release for global audiences.

A New Wave of Global Co-Production

The series marks a pivotal moment in the globalization of K-content. The partnership structure—a US-based streaming platform investing as a producer alongside Korean and Japanese production powerhouses—highlights a sophisticated evolution in how content is created for a worldwide audience. This move signifies a shift from simple licensing deals to deeper, more integrated international co-productions that leverage the unique strengths of each partner.

For Dexter Pictures, Dive Into You is a landmark project, marking its first foray into creating an original IP drama. This strategic pivot from service production to IP ownership is a common goal for many production studios seeking greater creative control and long-term revenue. Kim Donghyun, CEO of Dexter Pictures, emphasized the project's collaborative strength, stating, "Dive Into You is a project that merges the best of Dexter Pictures' original IP creation and production prowess, the global co-production experience of Japan's largest entertainment group, Amuse, and Viki's unmatched reach when it comes to content distribution."

Amuse Entertainment's involvement brings the backing of a Japanese industry giant with a long history of successful global ventures, including film distribution and artist management across Asia. This trilateral cooperation model is indicative of a broader trend where production entities are forming cross-border alliances to mitigate financial risks, enhance creative input, and maximize global distribution from a project's inception.

Viki's Strategic Play for Exclusive Content

In the fiercely competitive streaming wars, where giants like Netflix and Disney+ are heavily investing in Korean content, Rakuten Viki has carved out a powerful niche. With over 120 million registered users in over 190 countries, Viki's strategy hinges on being a dedicated and curated home for Asian entertainment. Original productions like Dive Into You are central to this strategy, serving as a powerful tool for subscriber acquisition and retention.

By acting as an investor and producer, Viki secures exclusive global rights to high-potential content, making its platform a must-have for dedicated K-drama fans. This approach is a calculated move to differentiate itself from larger, more generalized streamers. The company has been honing this strategy for years, being one of the first non-Korean platforms to produce original Korean content with the internationally co-produced series Dramaworld in 2016. Dive Into You represents the latest and most ambitious step in this ongoing evolution.

"Dive Into You exemplifies the high-caliber Asian storytelling that resonates with Viki's global audiences," said Jaehee Hong, Chief Content Officer at Viki. "This has truly been an international collaboration, and an incredible privilege to work with Dexter Pictures and Amuse Entertainment to bring this exceptional series to the screen. We're looking forward to exploring future collaborations that continue to cultivate passionate fandoms worldwide."

The choice of a fantasy romance is also a strategic one, as the genre consistently performs well with Viki's core audience and the broader international K-drama fandom.

Star Power Meets a Winning Formula

The commercial appeal of Dive Into You is significantly amplified by its casting and genre. The fantasy rom-com remains one of K-drama's most beloved and successful formats, with recent hits like My Demon and The Atypical Family captivating global viewers. The premise of Dive Into You, with its time-travel and body-swap elements, taps directly into this proven market demand for imaginative and heartfelt love stories.

Leading the series are two actors with rapidly growing international profiles. Kim Ji Yeon (also known as Bona) has successfully transitioned from a K-pop idol in WJSN to a critically respected actress. Her roles in the globally popular Twenty-Five Twenty-One, the historical drama Joseon Attorney, and the intense thriller Pyramid Game have showcased her impressive range and earned her a dedicated following. Her dual identity as a performer and actress gives her a broad appeal that spans multiple fanbases.

Co-star Park Seo Ham became an international sensation following his lead role in the 2022 hit BL drama Semantic Error. Despite his mandatory military service shortly after its release, his popularity has only grown. His recent roles in The Murky Stream and Our Universe have further cemented his status as a charismatic leading man. His return to a romantic lead in Dive Into You is highly anticipated by fans who have eagerly awaited his next major project.

By combining these two rising stars with a perennially popular genre and a compelling, high-concept plot, the production is poised to capture the attention of a massive global audience. The built-in fanbases of the actors, combined with the global marketing power of Viki, create a potent formula for success. With its global release slated for later this year, Dive Into You is not just a new show to watch, but a significant marker of the future of international content creation.