Rakuten Viki to Host International K-Drama Day

Rakuten Viki is set to host the first-ever International K-Drama Day on November 29 with a lineup of free programming, giveaways, prizes and promotions.

For a limited time, a selection of popular K-dramas, including Twinkling Watermelon, The Deal, Guardian: The Lonely and Great God and more, will be available to watch for free. Exclusive content and promotions will also be available via partnerships with Duolingo, CJ ENM, WEBTOON, Weee! and others.

The grand prize of the day will see one lucky fan win the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in Korean entertainment and culture through an all-expenses-paid trip to Korea. The guided K-drama-themed tour will include destinations depicted in popular K-dramas like Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (aka Goblin), Boys Over Flowers, Reborn Rich, Twinkling Watermelon, Perfect Marriage Revenge, Hotel del Luna and more. The winner will also receive a prize package that includes a free, one-year Viki Pass subscription, a one-year subscription to Super Duolingo and Viki swag.

Other prizes include Roku Ultra or Roku Express 4K streaming devices, K-drama inspired snack boxes and ramen from Weee! (while supplies last), Glass Skin refining serums from Peach & Lily, one-year Viki Pass subscriptions and giant boba plushies.

Also, on November 29, K-drama fans can enjoy 29 percent off any Viki Pass subscription plan. This never-before offer will provide access to thousands of Asian television shows, movies and dramas, including Viki Originals, all in HD quality with no ads.

Rakuten Viki will host a special quiz in partnership with Duolingo, in which fans can test their knowledge of the Korean language for a chance to win prizes, including subscriptions for Super Duolingo and Rakuten Viki.

CJ ENM will release a special segment of Ketchup! featuring an interview with the producer of My Lovely Liar and Our Blooming Youth, behind-the-scenes footage of what it’s like to create a Korean drama and more.

Weee!, the U.S.’s largest online Asian supermarket, will curate a specially themed shopping list for fans to purchase snacks featured in popular K-dramas and will share tips and tricks for recreating Korean dishes at home.

WEBTOON will host an in-app reading event in which fans can read episodes of the original digital comics that have been adapted into popular K-dramas such as A Good Day to Be a Dog, Perfect Marriage Revenge, True Beauty, The Girl Downstairs (Doona!), Sweet Home and Vigilante to unlock a month of Viki Pass Plus to watch these beloved series in live action.

Gold House, an organization that ensures representation among Asian and Pacific Islanders on- and off-screen, will share exclusive content about Viki’s celebration.

The Black Label, home to artists such as Taeyang of BigBang, Jeon Somi from Produce 101 and Park Bogum from hit K-dramas like Encounter, will have its artist Vince join in with a musical homage to K-dramas.

From November 29 to December 2, fans in the Los Angeles area will be able to visit Bopomofo Cafe to enjoy a limited-edition Viki Blue Boba lychee-flavored tea along with a one-month free trial of a Viki Pass subscription while supplies last.

George Audi, senior director of business development at Duolingo, said: “Korean is one of our most popular courses and Korean culture is quickly becoming more and more popular across the U.S. To better connect with Korean culture enthusiasts, we chose to partner with Rakuten Viki, the leader in Asian entertainment and a popular destination for K-dramas. Watching TV shows and films in the language you’re studying is a fun way to learn and engage with the language.”

Jini Cho, director of digital and partnerships at WEBTOON, added: “We’re excited to participate in International K-Drama Day and offer fans an exciting way to enjoy their favorite series and characters across different formats. It’s been a joy to see stories from WEBTOON come to life as beloved series on streaming platforms like Rakuten Viki, and what better way to celebrate the richness of these stories with our global fans than a commemorative holiday like International K-Drama Day.”