International distributor Studiocanal has officially boarded the Pan-Asian survival thriller "kiDnap Game," securing global distribution rights including North America. The high-stakes drama brings together Japanese actor Kentaro Sakaguchi and South Korean star Lee Joon-gi in an ensemble narrative that spans several major metropolitan centers across Asia.
Alongside Studiocanal's international distribution pact, Canal+ secured broadcast rights covering its footprint across Europe, French-speaking Africa, and Asia. The 11-part production was created and directed by Japanese filmmaker Yusuke Kato, recognized for "Last Friends," and represents a joint effort between Japan's Fuji Television, Hong Kong company MakerVille, and South Korea's Simstory.
kiDnap Game Regional Broadcast and Streaming Outlets
| Territory | Platform / Network |
|---|---|
| Japan | Fuji TV |
| South Korea | Channel A, Disney+ |
| Taiwan | Hami Video |
| Hong Kong & Macau | Viu |
| Southeast Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand) | Viu |
| Europe, French-speaking Africa, Asia | Canal+ |
A High-Stakes Continental Premise
The plot of "kiDnap Game" centers on a synchronized string of abductions that take place across seven Asian cities: Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, Singapore, Bangkok, Naha, and Manila. Following the international news coverage of the incidents, the victims' relatives receive an ominous communication inquiring how far they are willing to go to rescue their family members, paired with the condition that only one person can ultimately be saved.
This setup forces seven strangers from distinct backgrounds and nationalities into a competitive, lethal contest. Each participant must tackle an individual assignment in an effort to rescue their relative, while gradually investigating why they were selected and uncovering the identity of the mastermind behind the scheme.
Creative Vision and Broad International Rollout
Creator Yusuke Kato explained that the production was designed from the beginning to reach international viewers across cultural boundaries. Kato noted that while the characters feature diverse languages, nationalities, and backgrounds, their universal motivation remains the instinct to rescue someone they love.
"kiDnap Game" officially debuted on Fuji TV in Japan on October 6, rolling out concurrently across 28 Asian territories. Regional platforms carrying the title include Channel A and Disney+ in South Korea, Hami Video in Taiwan, and Viu across several markets such as Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand.
Production Team and Marketplace Presentation
Behind the camera, executive producers include Kentaro Shibuya for Fuji Television, Janice Lee for MakerVille, and Song Seon Eui for Simstory, working alongside Kato and Kenichiro Hobara. Episodic directing duties are shared between Kato, Shogo Miyaki, and Hajime Hatakeyama, based on scripts penned by Ken Tate and Kaoru Yoshikawa.
M-K Kennedy, managing director of Studiocanal Worldwide Television, praised the partnership as a reflection of creative ambition and cross-border cooperation in the premium drama space. Deputy CEO of Canal+ France, Jean-Marc Juramie, similarly highlighted the acquisition as aligned with the network's strategy to deliver premium international programming to its subscriber base.
The project joins Studiocanal's international drama slate alongside projects like "Army of Shadows," which is filming in Paris and the United Kingdom. Moving forward, the 11-part survival drama will be introduced to prospective global buyers at the Mipcom market in Cannes.
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Source: Variety
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