COL Group and Partners Launch 2027 Microdrama Slate with Korean Adaptations

COL Group, V47 Entertainment, and Virtue Asia presented a new slate of vertical dramas for 2027 in Singapore on Wednesday. The lineup places adaptations of Korean webtoons and web novels at the center of its strategy, pairing them with several new original productions.

The announcement took place at Inside Microdramas, an event organizers characterized as a first of its kind. The Korean titles in the slate were developed in collaboration with CJ Group. Specific projects include "Idol Once Again," a fantasy series about a former idol who travels back in time to reclaim fame. "Genius Doctor Lee Mu-jin" adapts a webtoon about a street fighter mentored by the spirit of a skilled physician. "The Exclusive Secretary" follows a corporate heir and his secretary as they navigate a dangerous battle for family succession.

New originals from COL Group and V47 round out the lineup. "The Vanishing Act" is a mystery centered on a magician who disappears during a live international talent contest final. "Fortune Chasers" combines scripted reality competition with thriller elements. "1% Better" uses a reality format in the sports and fitness space to pit unlikely rivals against each other.

The companies are also extending three existing microdramas: "Oops, I Married My Bestie's Brother!," "My Sweetheart's a Gangster," and "From Janitor to Mrs. Billionaire." They plan to expand these titles through wider distribution, adaptations, and commercial tie-ups, though they did not specify the exact format of the follow-ups.

FlareFlow, the parent platform of COL Group, has surpassed 52 million registered users. It offers nearly 7,000 short-drama titles to viewers in more than 200 countries and regions. In the first quarter of 2026, it ranked first among all rights holders in TikTok's short-drama revenue-share rankings.

The partners introduced Story Engine, an operating model that links development, production, financing, and global distribution. The model combines V47's production capabilities, Virtue Asia's cultural strategy expertise, and COL Group's genre knowledge. Brands can act as development partners, executive producers, or financiers, potentially holding equity in the resulting IP. Timothy Oh, chief marketing officer of FlareFlow and general manager of COL Group International, stated there is "a real opportunity for brands to go beyond traditional advertising and become part of the entertainment audiences actively choose to watch."

V47 was formed by Virtue Asia and Goldfinch International, the international expansion vehicle of the U.K.-based Goldfinch Group. David Webster, chair of V47 Entertainment, said bringing brands into development and financing helps ambitious original ideas build franchises over time. Lesley John, CEO of Virtue Asia, noted that brands must earn a place within culture rather than interrupting it, aiming for creative integration that "feels native to the story."