Paramount+ extends Korean drama with global deal for TVing’s ‘Bargain’

Bargain

Paramount+ is ramping up its South Korean drama slate after picking up CJ ENM’s crime thriller Bargain for its global streamer.

The show, which was ordered for CJ ENM’s local streamer TVing, will debut outside of Korea in 2023 and marks the second show to come from a far-reaching strategic pact struck between Paramount Global and the Korean media giant last year.

Bargain is a six-part adaptation of director Lee Chung-hyun’s 2015 short film of the same name, with the film’s director Jun Woo-sung also attached on the series.

The story revolves around a group of strangers who gather at a remote motel with ulterior motives – seeking to bargain. Unlike the original film, the series follows the characters after an unexpected earthquake traps them inside the building. With no one to trust, they must find a way to survive. Jun Jong-seo (Money Heist: Korea) and Jin Seon-kyu (Extreme Job) star,

“Bargain is an incredible example of the phenomenal creative, compelling stories coming out of Korea, and out of our strategic partnership with CJ ENM and TVing,” said Catherine Park, Paramount’s SVP & head of streaming & office in Asia.

Paramount and CJ ENM’s partnership was struck last year, providing for co-productions on series and films, content licensing and distribution across both company’s streaming services.

Paramount+ launched in South Korea this summer as part of an exclusive bundle with TVing, while Paramount Television Studios and CJ ENM/Studio Dragon will co-develop and co-produce English-language scripted series based on the latter’s titles for the US company’s streamer. Paramount’s Pluto TV has also launched a dedicated CJ ENM branded channel for US audiences.