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A recent press release by Bandai Namco Entertainment and Interactive Media Mix (IMX) has announced that popular Japanese anime and game franchise "The Idolmaster" will become a live-action Korean TV drama series in the near future. "The Idolmaster" began as an arcade game in 2005 and has since seen numerous video game sequels and media spin-offs, including a TV anime series, drama CDs, and manga installments. The basic premise of each adaptation revolves around a producer at a talent agency who must transform the prospective idols into stars.
Many Korean dramas have been based on Japanese manga and anime series, including "Boys over Flowers" (2009) (adapted from manga/anime "Hana Yori Dango"), "City Hunter "(2011) (based on "City Hunter," obviously), and "To the Beautiful You" (2012) (from "Hanazakari no Kimitachi e"). This latest adaptation, which may be the first time that a K-drama has drawn inspiration from a Japanese video game, is tentatively titled "THE iDOLM@STER.KR," and casting auditions are scheduled to begin in mid-May.
That’s right, you read that correctly. Just as in the original game, the live-action drama series will follow the lives of several idols-in-training. However, instead of basing the drama characters on preexisting "Idolmaster" cuties, the show will aim to paint a picture of idols’ growth and activities in the real-world Korean entertainment production industry by casting actual idol hopefuls to be part of a new idol unit. After auditions have closed, viewers from around the world will cast votes for their favorite prospective idols and the top 15 will be selected to star in the show.
Bandai and IMX have also launched a special "THE iDOLM@STER.KR" website to coincide with the upcoming production. While audition information is only being updated in Korean, the site provides a basic synopsis of the show which can be viewed in nine other languages.
One final note: anyone, living anywhere in the world, can submit an audition to be in the drama, but if selected, winners will need to move to South Korea to take part in the training and filming process. Good luck, everyone!
Sources: Cupo, The Idolmaster.KR
Read more stories from RocketNews24. -- The 10 best anime about idols, as chosen by the Internet masses -- Hit anime Hana Yori Dango getting stage musical starring…maybe you?!? -- What do Magic: The Gathering and Idolmaster have in common? Apparently, quite a bit!
© Japan Today
2 Comments
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HonestDictator
Now I want to bang my head against a wall until maybe I suffer so much brain damage or good enough concussion that I won't comprehend pointless articles like this.
Liam Baka
the show was fun, although the second season and all it's girls where trash, so I am looking foreward to this as long as they don't base it on cinderalla girls XD