Actor Lee Joon-gi has made his return to television after three years with a drama filmed over six months across seven Asian cities.
'Kidnap Game,' which premiered on Channel A and Disney+ on October 6, is a suspense thriller co-produced by Japan's Fuji TV, Hong Kong's MakerVille, and South Korea's Simstory. Lee stars alongside Japanese actor Kentaro Sakaguchi in a dual lead role. Fuji TV describes it as the first international co-production attempted in prime time on terrestrial television.
Filming began in November of last year and lasted over six months, taking place in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Seoul, Taipei, Singapore, Bangkok, and Manila. As of October 2, the show has confirmed broadcasts and distribution in 28 countries and regions.
Lee plays Han Ki-joo, a surgeon in Seoul who struggles with guilt after failing to restore his daughter's eyesight due to a past surgical error. He develops a tremor and shifts to teaching younger doctors. When his daughter Han Ri-an is kidnapped, he is drawn into a dangerous game. Director Kato Yusuke stated, "I couldn't think of anyone else for the role of Han Ki-joo, a doctor in Seoul." This marks Lee's first drama appearance since 2023's 'Aramun's Sword,' and he expressed his excitement about participating in such an international project.
Simstory contributed as a co-producer and assisted with domestic filming. In addition to Lee, four other South Korean actors are featured. Min Soo-yul plays the kidnapped daughter Han Ri-an, while Lee Seohwan, known for Netflix's 'Squid Game,' and former Rainbow member Kim Jae-kyung, along with Moon Ji-in, also join the cast.
The series revolves around kidnapping incidents occurring simultaneously in seven Asian cities. Seven individuals, each having lost a family member, receive a message stating that only one can be saved, leading them to undertake different missions. Sakaguchi portrays Tokyo detective Niide Toshiro, whose wife Saori has been kidnapped, marking his return to a leading role in a Fuji TV drama after four years.
According to Nielsen Korea, the first episode garnered a national household rating of 0.3%. The second episode is set to air on October 13 at 10 PM.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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