For Release for MIPCOM 2017
TV ASAHI SCRIPTED FORMAT “A FAMILY GOES JOB HUNTING”SOLD TO CHINA
TV ASAHI SCRIPTED FORMAT “A FAMILY GOES JOB HUNTING”SOLD TO CHINA
2017-10-04 00:00:00.0
October 2017 (Tokyo, Japan) – TV Asahi Corporation announces that the format rights to their scripted drama series “ A Family Goes Job-Hunting” has been acquired by a major Chinese production company Radiant Pictures Co., Ltd., based in Beijing. This is the first scripted format that the leading Japanese broadcaster has sold to China, and the original 9 episode prime-time series is planned to become a 36 episode series in Chinese.
“A Family Goes Job-Hunting” is a story about a happy and outgoing family that becomes dysfunctional when all family members simultaneously find themselves looking for a new job, and they struggle to search for hope and a new path. The story is full of various family and social dynamics that the global audience can relate to.
TV Asahi is best known for its No.1 viewer ratings medical comedy drama series “Doctor-X” that is in its fifth season this year. The company has a slate of scripted formats that have a strong track record in Japan and has recently revamped its scripted sales efforts. Recent titles include “Hello, I Love You,” “Family Fortune War” and “Age Harassment,” all which shed light on imminent social issues. TV Asahi will be bringing a human thriller crime series “BORDER” to MIPCOM.
Radiant Pictures’ Executive Producer Zidan Liu comments on the reason of selecting the series as follows: “The adaptation of “A Family Goes Job-Hunting” is relevant to current Chinese society. China is rapidly developing socio-economically, and on one hand many people are increasingly becoming dedicated to their job, but on the other hand going back home is becoming a luxury. Social phenomena such as “Beipiaozu,” a new term for the young generation who has come to Beijing to work, and “Liushou ertong,” the children left in rural communities by their parents who have moved to the city in search of wealth, have become common words in the Chinese language. As such, situations where a once-functional family like in “A Family Goes Job-Hunting” faces workplace problems and family issues is becoming common and I believe the adapted series will be very well received by the Chinese audience.”
Liu also states: “Our aim is to not only depict workplace and job-hunting issues in contemporary China, but to also focus on real family issues such as the weakening bond between family members and how a family rebuilds their ties with each other.”
Yasuo Kawashima, Managing Director of the Business Division at TV Asahi says: “I am very happy that “A Family Goes Job-Hunting” will be adapted in China where many large high quality adaptations are being made, especially as Radiant Pictures is one of the foremost production companies and they were one of the first companies to approach us regarding this drama when it was broadcast in the January 2017 season on TV Asahi. The importance of family bonds transcends time and place and is truly a globally relatable topic. I believe that the gripping depiction of such topic in the backdrop of current society is what makes this series special. I trust that the adaptation of this drama will be widely viewed in China and I sincerely hope that we will see more adaptations of our drama series in China.”
Looking forward to working with China for the first time, TV Asahi’s Producer Koichi Funatsu says, “This drama portrays how the bonds among a family of four becomes stronger and ‘what it means for a person to work.’ I am very delighted that this Chinese adaptation deal has been made. I have high hopes that the Chinese audience will find the story highly relatable.”
■ About “A Family Goes Job Hunting”
Yosuke is a successful executive who has a wife and two kids; his wife is a teacher, his son is a job-hunting student, and his daughter has just started working. His family is looking forward to buying a new house as Yosuke is about to get a promotion. However, he is forced to leave the company because of a gossip set in motion by his colleague! He loses his job but he keeps it a secret from his family. At the same time his wife and daughter are facing problems at work, and both are thinking that even if they become unemployed they can economically rely on Yosuke. In the meantime, the son is also being set up by a con-man... When Yosuke’s secret comes out and the family finds out he no longer is fully employed, the family starts to fall apart as their respective situations only work to pull them apart. Can they find a way to stay together as a family...?
■ About TV Asahi Corporation
With more than 58 years of leading the Japanese content industry, TV Asahi Corporation, the main company of TV Asahi Holdings Corporation, is a major media and content powerhouse headquartered in Tokyo. It operates the leading terrestrial channel and cooperates with the three satellites channels owned and operated by its group companies. The company continues to deliver top-rated drama series, unique variety shows and enduring animation series including “Doraemon” and “Shinchan”. Together with over 20 group companies which cover music publication, content production, internet streaming platforms, e-commerce, etc., TV Asahi is foremost positioned to pursue services that meet the needs of the consumer in the growing digital industry.
■ About Radiant Pictures
Radiant Pictures Co., Ltd. is a new production company that was established in Beijing in December 2016 by Lucas Gao, a prominent producer with a long line of successful drama productions such as “YES! MR FASHION” and “Magical Space-Time” both broadcast on Hunan TV in 2016. Mr. Gao serves as the Chairman of the Board and is the General Manager of the company. The company is comprised of screenwriters and directors from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
■ Contact
Yuka Kakui
International Business Department TV Asahi Corporation
Email: yuka@tv-asahi.co.jp
“A Family Goes Job-Hunting” is a story about a happy and outgoing family that becomes dysfunctional when all family members simultaneously find themselves looking for a new job, and they struggle to search for hope and a new path. The story is full of various family and social dynamics that the global audience can relate to.
TV Asahi is best known for its No.1 viewer ratings medical comedy drama series “Doctor-X” that is in its fifth season this year. The company has a slate of scripted formats that have a strong track record in Japan and has recently revamped its scripted sales efforts. Recent titles include “Hello, I Love You,” “Family Fortune War” and “Age Harassment,” all which shed light on imminent social issues. TV Asahi will be bringing a human thriller crime series “BORDER” to MIPCOM.
Radiant Pictures’ Executive Producer Zidan Liu comments on the reason of selecting the series as follows: “The adaptation of “A Family Goes Job-Hunting” is relevant to current Chinese society. China is rapidly developing socio-economically, and on one hand many people are increasingly becoming dedicated to their job, but on the other hand going back home is becoming a luxury. Social phenomena such as “Beipiaozu,” a new term for the young generation who has come to Beijing to work, and “Liushou ertong,” the children left in rural communities by their parents who have moved to the city in search of wealth, have become common words in the Chinese language. As such, situations where a once-functional family like in “A Family Goes Job-Hunting” faces workplace problems and family issues is becoming common and I believe the adapted series will be very well received by the Chinese audience.”
Liu also states: “Our aim is to not only depict workplace and job-hunting issues in contemporary China, but to also focus on real family issues such as the weakening bond between family members and how a family rebuilds their ties with each other.”
Yasuo Kawashima, Managing Director of the Business Division at TV Asahi says: “I am very happy that “A Family Goes Job-Hunting” will be adapted in China where many large high quality adaptations are being made, especially as Radiant Pictures is one of the foremost production companies and they were one of the first companies to approach us regarding this drama when it was broadcast in the January 2017 season on TV Asahi. The importance of family bonds transcends time and place and is truly a globally relatable topic. I believe that the gripping depiction of such topic in the backdrop of current society is what makes this series special. I trust that the adaptation of this drama will be widely viewed in China and I sincerely hope that we will see more adaptations of our drama series in China.”
Looking forward to working with China for the first time, TV Asahi’s Producer Koichi Funatsu says, “This drama portrays how the bonds among a family of four becomes stronger and ‘what it means for a person to work.’ I am very delighted that this Chinese adaptation deal has been made. I have high hopes that the Chinese audience will find the story highly relatable.”
■ About “A Family Goes Job Hunting”
Yosuke is a successful executive who has a wife and two kids; his wife is a teacher, his son is a job-hunting student, and his daughter has just started working. His family is looking forward to buying a new house as Yosuke is about to get a promotion. However, he is forced to leave the company because of a gossip set in motion by his colleague! He loses his job but he keeps it a secret from his family. At the same time his wife and daughter are facing problems at work, and both are thinking that even if they become unemployed they can economically rely on Yosuke. In the meantime, the son is also being set up by a con-man... When Yosuke’s secret comes out and the family finds out he no longer is fully employed, the family starts to fall apart as their respective situations only work to pull them apart. Can they find a way to stay together as a family...?
■ About TV Asahi Corporation
With more than 58 years of leading the Japanese content industry, TV Asahi Corporation, the main company of TV Asahi Holdings Corporation, is a major media and content powerhouse headquartered in Tokyo. It operates the leading terrestrial channel and cooperates with the three satellites channels owned and operated by its group companies. The company continues to deliver top-rated drama series, unique variety shows and enduring animation series including “Doraemon” and “Shinchan”. Together with over 20 group companies which cover music publication, content production, internet streaming platforms, e-commerce, etc., TV Asahi is foremost positioned to pursue services that meet the needs of the consumer in the growing digital industry.
■ About Radiant Pictures
Radiant Pictures Co., Ltd. is a new production company that was established in Beijing in December 2016 by Lucas Gao, a prominent producer with a long line of successful drama productions such as “YES! MR FASHION” and “Magical Space-Time” both broadcast on Hunan TV in 2016. Mr. Gao serves as the Chairman of the Board and is the General Manager of the company. The company is comprised of screenwriters and directors from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
■ Contact
Yuka Kakui
International Business Department TV Asahi Corporation
Email: yuka@tv-asahi.co.jp
