‘Ransom’, the first domestic OTT original series to compete in the Cannes Series

Will TVING's original series 'Ransom' enjoy the honor of winning the Cannes Series trophy?

The protagonists of TVING's original series 'Ransom' are heading to Cannes as an official invitation to the feature-length competition section of the Cannes International Series Festival (hereinafter referred to as 'Cannes Series'), which is scheduled to open on the 14th (local time).

'Ransom' is highly anticipated as the only K content among the feature-length, short-length, and documentary films entered into competition at this year's Cannes Series. When the Cannes Series press conference was announced on the 28th of last month (local time), 'Ransom' was introduced as the first film invited to the feature-length competition category. Cannes Series Artist Director Albin Lewi, who was in charge of the presentation, emphasized the unconventionality of the material and originality of the genre of 'Ransom', and explained the success of the work by explaining that it led the N-th viewing craze when it was invited to the Busan International Film Festival last year. The possibility was highly evaluated.

On the 16th (local time), the official schedule for 'Ransom' will begin as an invited film in the Cannes Series feature-length competition. Actors Jin Seon-gyu, Jeon Jong-seo, Jang Ryul, and director Jeon Woo-sung, who shined in 'Ransom', will meet global audiences through a photo call, an official screening at the Lumiere Grand Theater, and a pink carpet.

At the closing ceremony held on the 19th (local time), 10 shortlisted films in the feature-length competition category will compete for five categories, including Best Series, Best Music, Best Screenplay, and Best Actor (Best/Special). 'Ransom' is a rare picaresque genre in Korea, and is attracting attention as it opens a new horizon for the genre by vividly depicting the survival game of villains.

‘Ransom’ is a thriller that unfolds as a massive earthquake strikes the building where ‘ransom’ negotiations were taking place, each for their own reasons. 'Ransom', which received favorable reviews for the creation of a new and original genre, recorded the highest viewing UV among all TVing originals as of the first week of its release in October last year, and ranked first in the number of weekly paid subscribers on TVing for two consecutive weeks. . Last November, it was selected as the second partnership between TVING and Paramount+, and is scheduled to be released globally through Paramount+ this summer. It is a short film of the same name by director Lee Chung-hyeon.

Hwang Hye-jeong, CCO in charge of TVING content, said, "'Ransom' is the first domestic OTT content to be nominated in the Cannes Series feature-length competition category, which itself is recognition of its artistic value." He added, "Through this year's Cannes Series, we are showcasing the originality of TVING's original series. “Domestic OTT works will play a leading role in garnering continued interest on the global stage,” he said.

Kim Ji-won, Ten Asia reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr