Format

Something Special’s award-winning unscripted format Unforgettable Duet is heading to Switzerland after OCCAM Productions optioned the format for the territory. The Seoul-based international format agency also confirmed that the second season of the series will receive a primetime broadcast on MBN Korea in late October. Timed to coincide with World Alzheimer’s Day on September 21, the announcements underline the format’s focus on dementia, family relationships and the role of music in reconnecting people with cherished memories.

Unforgettable Duet follows dementia patients and their family members as they revisit important moments from their lives through music. Each episode features a celebrity host and a panel of Korean entertainers, alongside a different renowned Korean singer known as the Memory Singer. The Memory Singer accompanies the family on a journey down memory lane, before the dementia patient performs a duet with their family member. The episode culminates with the singer performing a tribute song inspired by their personal story.
Season two will introduce an additional element of technology, using AI to transform the protagonists’ old photographs into moving images. The production positions the technology as a tool to help families reconnect with personal memories rather than simply as a visual production device.

The format was created and developed by Something Special, led by CEO, Founder and Executive Producer Jin Woo Hwang and Co-CEO/Chief Business Officer InSoon Kim. Hwang stated: “In recognition of World Alzheimer’s Day, Something Special is pleased to announce the upcoming confirmed Primetime broadcast on MBN in Korea for our second season of the incredibly touching, award-winning, reality series Unforgettable Duet which uses music to bring families closer to their loved ones with dementia. And we are excited to work with Occam Productions to realize a Swiss version soon! We invite our global industry colleagues to review this very special Format for their own regions as it is a proven audience favorite.”