Breaking New Ground: Park Min-Kyu’s Acting Debut
EXCLUSIVE: Park Min-Kyu, known from the Netflix hit Single’s Inferno, is venturing into acting with his first role in the FlareFlow microdrama One Year Love.
He will star alongside Nicole Lee from Amoeba and Regina Tan in this series, which was shot in Singapore and is set to premiere on the COL International-owned vertical video platform on April 9. The series is a production of the TSL Group.
The plot of One Year Love revolves around a high-stakes romantic scenario that begins with a deceptive simplicity: a Korean expatriate and a Singaporean workaholic enter into a marriage of convenience. As their arrangement starts to feel genuinely affectionate, the sudden reappearance of his ex threatens to dismantle their fabricated life together.
“The potential for microdramas to capture the audience is boundless,” Park shared with Deadline. “With audiences already attuned to brief video formats like TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube Shorts, microdramas are ideally positioned to satisfy this new content appetite. I foresee significant market growth in this area,” he added.
Microdramas are becoming a global phenomenon with an already established value in the billions in markets like China and the U.S. As these dramas gain international traction, various Asian countries are aiming to reduce reliance on foreign shows, seeking to become prominent contributors to this burgeoning entertainment form.
One Year Love combines diverse regional talents and narratives, aiming for a global appeal. FlareFlow and its parent company based in Singapore, COL, are pioneers in producing cross-border vertical videos. Bryan Choo, CEO of Singapore’s TSL, is financing the series entirely.
For Park, this role was a departure from his reality TV background, where he was a contestant on the third season of Single’s Inferno on Netflix. “The Netflix experience involved almost non-stop filming over nine consecutive days, whereas the microdrama production had a more relaxed schedule that helped me manage my energy much better,” he explained.
This project marked several firsts for Park: his initial acting endeavor, his first time working on an international production, and his first performance in English.
“There was a steep learning curve, but I embraced it fully,” Park remarked. “It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, largely due to the immense support from my fellow cast and crew members.”
He also mentioned that working in Singapore might pave the way for further international acting opportunities. “I’m eager to expand my acting career beyond Korea and take on more roles internationally,” he expressed.
With 33 million registered users and availability in over 200 countries, FlareFlow has become a significant figure in the vertical video arena. It has released approximately 5,200 series so far. Its most successful series, Oops I Married My Bestie’s Brother, has amassed over 193 million views and generated more than $15 million in in-app revenue. COL, listed in China, continues to forge international distribution deals as the market for microdramas matures and seeks additional revenue channels.
“There’s a rising global demand for microdrama, but the future will be shaped by distinctive regional narratives,” Timothy Oh, General Manager of COL Group International, commented. “We are committed to supporting local stories and empowering creators to compete globally. One Year Love is a prime example of this strategy, a story from Singapore crafted for worldwide audiences,” he concluded.
Daniel Hayes is a business journalist with a focus on market trends, startups, and corporate strategies.
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