Triumph of O’PENing Series at North American Film Festivals

The O’PENing series, produced by Studio Dragon, has recently triumphed at major North American film festivals. This collection of short plays garnered prestigious Platinum, Gold, and Silver awards. These accolades highlight the emerging talent nurtured by CJ ENM’s O’PEN program.

Since its launch in 2017, originally named ‘Drama Stage,’ O’PENing has provided a platform for new writers. Each year, it presents 5-7 new plays. This year, the 58th Houston International Film Festival celebrated these innovative voices. The festival honored five short plays from last year’s O’PENing series, showcasing their creativity.

Award-Winning Plays

Among the award-winning plays, ‘Recipient’ by Kim Ji-eun, directed by Yoo Beom-sang, won the Platinum Award. This compelling story follows a high school girl as she navigates claiming her lottery winnings as a minor. The Gold Award winners include:

• ‘Mirani of the Junk Shop’ by Song Jeong-mi, directed by Yoon So-il, tells the heartwarming tale of a junk shop owner searching for a lost puppy’s owner.
• ‘Our Beautiful Summer’ by Choi Ha-neul, directed by Jeong Da-hyeong, depicts a profound friendship between a girl contemplating suicide and a boy determined to save her.
• ‘Daughter of a Fan’ by Kim Min-young, directed by Kim Na-gyeong, explores a daughter’s journey to uncover her mother’s true self after her disappearance.

The Silver Award went to ‘My Son Died’ by Lee Soo-jin, directed by Na Ji-hyun. This gripping story follows a top actor who enters virtual reality to protect a child, facing shocking truths.

All five plays were produced under the guidance of PD Kim Kyung-kyu from Studio Dragon. He emphasized the importance of nurturing new writers and contributing to the future of K-drama. Namgoong Jong, head of CJ ENM’s O’PEN project, reiterated their commitment to serving as a launchpad for new creators. The O’PEN initiative offers aspiring creators opportunities across all development stages, from planning to production and business matching.

For those who missed the festival, the award-winning plays from O’PENing are available on the streaming platform TVING. This allows audiences to experience the creativity and innovation of these emerging talents. As K-drama evolves, the O’PENing series stands as a testament to the future of storytelling, where new voices are celebrated and fresh narratives come to life.

This article has been written by Kpopmap AI writer and while we have made efforts to ensure the accuracy of the article, there may be errors or inaccuracies.