Format

Nippon TV announced at Series Mania in Lille, France, that it has licensed the Korean remake rights for its drama series "Life’s Punchline" to Studio Dragon. This agreement marks the second international remake for the production, following the recent announcement of its Hong Kong adaptation.

Keisuke Miyata, Sales and licensing, Nippon TV, stated: “I am very pleased that this acclaimed series in Japan is being adapted in Korea by Studio Dragon, a world-renowned drama production company. This story is for anyone who has ever chased a dream, supported someone from the shadows, or compared their own life to the success of others, and the series utilizes a unique storytelling technique, weaving actual comedy skits into the drama to deliver unexpected surprises and laughter, leading to pathos. I believe these universal emotions will deeply resonate with Korean viewers, and the Korean version will captivate audiences around the world.”

The original series (10 x 60’) follows a comedy trio of three young men who decide to disband at age 28 after a decade of chasing stardom. Facing a "quarter-life crisis" without careers or savings, their lives intertwine with their biggest fan—a former elite professional working at a diner after suffering career burnout. As they find mutual hope, the characters find the courage to restart their lives. The show features a unique "play-within-a-play" structure where each episode begins with a comedy skit that eventually blends into the main plot.

Originally broadcast in 2021 starring Masaki Suda and Kasumi Arimura, the title captured a large share of younger audiences and achieved nearly 14 million VOD views within 10 weeks of its release. It also earned an award at the 2021 Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association Awards.

This Korean deal follows the Hong Kong adaptation produced by MakerVille (PCCW Media), which was unveiled at this month's Hong Kong FILMART and is scheduled for a late 2026 broadcast on ViuTV.