‘The King’s Man’ Showbox launches short-form label ‘Showbite,’ sets sights on 20 titles in second half

Showbox, the studio behind a string of films that drew more than 10 million admissions, is making a full-scale entry into the short-form drama market.

The investment and distribution company said on the 3rd that it had established ‘Showbite,’ a label dedicated to developing and producing short-form dramas, and plans to release about 20 titles by the second half of this year.

The first title is ‘Taste of You,’ which will be released on the 11th through the short-form platforms ‘Showtime’ and ‘Vigloo.’ The romance follows the younger son of a global food conglomerate and a rival with an exceptionally refined palate who are forced to team up in a cooking competition. Hollywood-based actors Alexander Morel and Jonathan Barcelos lead the cast, in a bid to attract viewers worldwide.

The star-studded ‘Reaper: Asura’s Return’ is also awaiting launch. The action thriller follows Asura, a former secret agent who takes on a powerful organization while tracking down his missing younger sister in a bloody tale of revenge. Actor Lee Sang-yeob leads the cast, joined by Yuk Jun-seo and Hyun Jun, a former member of the group THE BOYZ, raising the tension throughout the series.

The lineup also includes a diverse range of genres, including the historical drama ‘Joseon Seulhwahim,’ which uncovers a secret gathering of the Joseon elite; ‘After I Quit, a Top Star Became Obsessed With Me,’ a romance set behind the scenes of the entertainment industry; and ‘Love in Thailand,’ which depicts the secret love of a chaebol heiress.

Showbox’s move was an expected next step for the company behind major blockbusters that surpassed 10 million admissions, including ‘Exhuma,’ ‘A Taxi Driver,’ and ‘The Assassination.’ In June, it laid the groundwork for its entry into the short-form market by signing a co-production agreement with ‘ReelShort,’ a global short-form platform of Chinese origin. Industry observers are watching to see what kind of response Showbox’s expansion beyond the traditional screen into mobile-optimized content will generate.