Remaking k-dramas into American TV shows is getting to be a trend, although American viewers have yet to see any of the remade dramas in question. Will the stories that succeeded as k-dramas work in an American format? No one knows. But despite the lack of proven results, American producers keep watching k-dramas looking for the key to the success of Hallyu productions.
"God's Gift - 14 Days" is the latest k-drama that is up for an American remake. The time travel thriller starred Lee Bo Young as a mother who gets to travel 14 days back in time to save her child's life. The drama features plenty of plot twists and turns as she struggles to prevent the tragedy from taking place.
According to DramaFever, Hollywood's Creative Artists Agency recently finalized a deal with SBS to remake the drama. The original scriptwriter Choi Ran will reportedly work as an executive producer on the American version, but there is no word yet on whether the American version will have a limited number of episodes as the k-drama version did.
CAA does have a great television track record, as the agency was responsible for the American television series, "Lost," "House" and "CSI."
Before "God's Gift - 14 Days," the last k-drama to be signed up for an American remake was "You Who Came From The Stars," which co-starred Kim Soo Hyun and Jun Ji Hyun. ABC TV describes the American version as an "epic supernatural love story about a world-famous pop star, Lark, and her anti-social neighbor, James, who happens to be from another planet."
Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fein, who worked on "The Vampire Diaries" and the Joss Whedon series "The Dollhouse," will adapt the series. Moon and Park Ji Eun, the original k-drama creators, will serve as executive producers.
Other k-dramas being adapted include the dramas "Nine: Nine Time Travels," starring Lee Jin Wook, "Good Doctor," which starred Joo Won," "Reply 1997" and the variety show "Grandpas Over Flowers.
CBS TV will adapt "Good Doctor" for an American TV audience. Korean-American actor Daniel Dae Kim, who is also CEO of the production company 3AD, will be the series' executive producer.
Korean actress Yunjin Kim, who played Daniel Dae Kim's wife on "Lost" and also appeared in the Korean hit film "Ode To My Father," will produce the remake of the time travel drama "Nine: Nine Time Travels."
"Spy," which starred Kim Jaejoong, is also being adapted for American television, but that was originally inspired by an Israeli spy drama titled "The Gordin Cell." The Israeli drama serves as the basis for both versions.
