‘Nine’ slated for American television

“Nine,” a hit television series on cable channel tvN, is set to be remade into an American series led by Fake Empire Productions, known for producing major television series including “Gossip Girl,” “Carrie Diaries” and “The O.C.”

Over the years, U.S. production companies have purchased drama formats largely from Europe, but recently companies have been looking all over the world for potential hits. “Homeland” is a drama-thriller series based on the popular Israeli series “Hatufim” and currently enjoys a large following.

The series “Nine” features a man who owns nine magical sticks that let him travel 20 years into the past. He tries to go back in time to prevent a murder that destroyed his family.

“The production team is in the process of working on the script for the series,” a representative of CJ E&M said in a statement. “Filming for the pilot will begin early next year, and it could possibly air as early as May at the LA Screenings.”

The LA Screenings is an annual event that allows program buyers from around the world to preview primetime pilots.

According to CJ E&M, the remake is looking for a spot on ABC.

The program being picked up by Fake Empire Productions has a lot to do with actress Kim Yun-jin’s efforts, who will act as executive producer for the program. Kim, known for her appearance on U.S. television series “Lost” as character Sun, is said to have played a big role in getting the project off the ground, using her connections in the United States and Korea.

“As a viewer myself who had fun watching the television series, the fact that ‘Nine’ is being remade in America makes me very happy,” Kim said in a statement. “I would like to work to introduce other good Korean content abroad as well.”

By Cha Yo-rim (yorimcha@heraldcorp.com)