A narcissistic vice chairman and a genius forensic pathologist are both about to be reborn in new countries, with new faces stepping into two of the most recognizable roles in Korean television.
CJ ENM announced on October 13 that Studio Dragon will produce a Hong Kong remake of What's Wrong with Secretary Kim and a Japanese remake of Quiz from God, extending the company's push to rebuild its established drama hits with local casts for overseas markets.
A New Secretary Kim for Hong Kong
The Hong Kong version of What's Wrong with Secretary Kim will star Anson Lo of boy group MIRROR and Ivy So of girl group COLLAR in the lead roles, taking over the parts Park Seo-joon and Park Min-young originated in the 2018 original. The remake keeps the office romantic comedy premise — a self-absorbed vice chairman whose world unravels when his indispensable secretary of many years announces her resignation — while reshaping it around Hong Kong culture and sensibilities.
The original series, based on a webtoon, aired on tvN in 2018 and became one of the defining office romances of its era. Its reach has only grown since: local adaptations have already been produced in China, the Philippines, and Thailand, making the Hong Kong version the fourth international remake of the title. The new series is scheduled to premiere on local broadcaster ViuTV on January 28, 2027.
Quiz from God Crosses to Japan
The Japanese remake of Quiz from God stars Shotaro Mamiya as Haruto Hatsushima, a brilliant forensic pathologist who once worked as a neurosurgeon before leaving the operating room for deeply personal reasons. The character anchors a team of forensic specialists investigating deaths that appear impossible to explain, many of them tied to rare genetic conditions and diseases with no known precedent.
The Korean original premiered on OCN in 2010 and ran for five seasons, building a loyal following as one of Korea's earliest medical investigation dramas. The Japanese version preserves that premise while weaving in social issues specific to Japan, giving the remake a local identity rather than a straight translation. The series is a co-production involving CJ ENM, Studio Dragon, and Kansai TV.
Part of a Bigger Remake Strategy
The two remakes arrive as CJ ENM's international strategy shows results. The Japanese adaptation of Marry My Husband, produced with Japanese partners, recorded the highest viewership of any Amazon Original drama in Japan within its first 30 days of release. The Korean-Japanese co-production Merry Berry Love, starring Ji Chang-wook and Mio Imada, climbed to No. 2 on FlixPatrol's worldwide Disney+ TV chart just two days after its release.
CJ ENM's catalog is also collecting awards attention in the same stretch, with Hyper Knife nominated at the 54th International Emmy Awards and Studio Dragon titles earning national wins at the Asia Academy Creative Awards — evidence that the company's stories are traveling well in both original and remade form.
For North American viewers, the Japanese Quiz from God will stream globally on Amazon Prime Video starting December 4, 2026. No North American streaming platform has been announced for the Hong Kong What's Wrong with Secretary Kim, which premieres on ViuTV on January 28, 2027.
Source: CJ ENM via Korea JoongAng Daily
