Scripted

Leading entertainment company CJ ENM is about to captivate audiences across Europe with its highly anticipated crime thriller series, Monstrous.

The South Korean supernatural series is set to launch on September 1, premiering in six European regions: France, Monaco, Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg and Switzerland. The series will be available on Insomnia, the French SVOD service entirely dedicated to horror content, featuring a rich and ambitious catalogue every month and operated by European giant MEDIAWAN.

Originally streaming on CJ ENM's streaming platform TVING in Korea, Monstrous is a gripping 6-episode series delving into a captivating mystery. It revolves around a group of archaeologists who unearth a colossal Buddha statue in a quiet, rural town. Their discovery sets off a series of cataclysmic events, as a centuries-old curse is unleashed, devouring people's souls and transforming them into inhuman beings. The series follows archaeologist Jung Ki-hoon as he embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind this supernatural phenomenon.

Produced by Korea's leading scripted TV studio, Studio Dragon, the series features an exceptional cast, including Koo Kyo-hwan (D.P, Kill Boksoon), and Shin Hyun-been (Hospital Playlist, Reborn Rich). The series is helmed by the renowned creator Yeon Sang-ho (Train to Busan, Hellbound).

Monstrous was officially screened at the prestigious 5th edition of Canneseries in 2022, garnering praise from industry experts and viewers: the series was applauded for its gripping narrative and exceptional production quality. Following its successful debut in Europe on the UK's Sky platform, the decision to expand its availability to more European countries showcases the growing demand for CJ ENM's well-crafted dramas.

Sebastian Kim, Director of content sales at CJ ENM, expressed excitement about the European releases of the series, and said: “Monstrous highlights CJ ENM's reputation for delivering outstanding stories and maintaining high production standards. With hopes of capturing the imagination of European viewers, CJ ENM will enhance its influence in the European drama market. The series' expansion to additional European countries is a testament to its potential to captivate and engage audiences on a broader scale.”

Hwang Hye-jeong, Chief Content Officer of TVING, said: "TVING's original series Monstrous is a supernatural thriller with a unique theme that captivates viewers with its universal yet Korean-style visual beauty and the brilliant performances of the actors. We expect that this work will showcase TVING's distinctive originality, which has a dominant position in the Korean market."

Sonia Latoui, Deputy General Manager in Charge of Contents at MEDIAWAN, commented: “We have been following the evolution of the quality and originality of Korean content for several years now and we are very aware of the potential. The arrival of the extraordinary series Monstrous on our streaming horror movie service Insomnia is the beginning of a long adventure with South Korean expertise in horror and fantasy stories and we are delighted to begin this journey with the Giant CJ ENM.”