Dexter Studios is expanding its influence in the content market by entering drama production following its success in film, with the tvN Monday-Tuesday drama “Head over Heels.”
The drama is the first TV series planned and produced by Dexter Pictures (CEO Kim Dong-hyun), a content specialist subsidiary of Dexter Studios (206560). Head over Heels will premiere on June 23 at 8:50 p.m. on tvN. This project marks the debut release from Dexter Pictures, established as an independent entity within Dexter Studios’ Content Division.
Head over Heels (Director: Kim Yong-wan, Writer: Yang Ji-hoon, Production: Studio Dragon, Dexter Pictures, EO Contents Group) is a fantasy romance drama adapted from a popular webtoon of the same name. The story follows a boy destined to die and an MZ-generation shaman girl who strives to save him. The rookie writer Yang Ji-hoon, discovered by Dexter Pictures, took charge of the script. He vividly captured the fresh excitement of first love among high school students from the original story. He also brought to life the mystical presence of shamans. In the adaptation process, new elements were added. The character Yeom-hwa, a shaman who became a ghost to survive (played by Choo Ja-hyun), was introduced. Gyeon-woo (played by Choo Young-woo) was reimagined as a promising archer. These new settings offer fresh and exciting twists, different from the original webtoon.
Youth actors Cho Yi-hyun and Choo Young-woo reunite for the first time in four years since School 2021. Their perfect chemistry is highly anticipated. Rising star Cha Kang-yoon, known for his roles in The Negotiation and Hospital Playlist, joins the cast. Together, they bring a youthful romance that is drawing much attention from viewers. Notably, Choo Young-woo, who plays Bae Gyeon-woo, has established himself as a leading actor through works such as “The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call,” “The Tale of Lady Ok,” and “Mercy for None.” His casting showcases Dexter Pictures’ keen eye for talent.
To depict the fantasy world of Head over Heels, which features various types of “K-ghosts” such as water ghosts, fire ghosts, baby ghosts, and dog ghosts, the parent company, Dexter Studios, also joined forces. Dexter Studios’ VFX Division and DI Division, both highly experienced in world-building, handled the visual effects and color grading. They deliver a level of visual quality and completion rarely seen in conventional terrestrial TV dramas, reaching the standards of global OTT platforms. Head over Heels is expected to be a flagship work demonstrating the synergy within the Dexter group, combining Dexter Pictures’ planning and production expertise with Dexter Studios’ top-level technological capabilities in Asia.
Dexter Pictures is pushing ahead with production projects for around 20 intellectual properties. These include 16 dramas and 4 films, led by Head over Heels. The company plans to showcase a wide range of content covering not only films but also dramas and short-form content, thereby solidifying its position as a comprehensive content producer.
The lineup features “Wizard Boy Mutterl,” director Lee Seok-hoon’s first OTT series, who has demonstrated his outstanding directorial skills with “The Pirates,” “The Himalayas,” and “Confidential Assignment 2: International”; “Secret Garden,” a Joseon-era “Maze Runner” with an overwhelming scale powered by Hollywood virtual production technology; “A Chance At Last,” which brings together director Lee Min-woo of “Not Others” and writer J. Sun of “Semantic Error,” and is based on a popular Naver webtoon of the same title; and “Dive Into You,” a romance fantasy co-produced as a Korea-Japan joint project with Amuse Entertainment.
Kim Dong-hyun, CEO of Dexter Pictures, said, “Head over Heels is not just a pure love story, but a ‘palette-like drama’ that blends laughter, emotion, struggle, and mystique. It embodies Dexter Pictures’ vision and excitement as we strive to open new horizons in content production. While maximizing the charm of the original webtoon, the drama adds its own fresh direction and passionate performances from the cast, promising viewers the most entertaining show of the summer.”
ⓒDexter Pictures
