The horror thriller 'Nursery Rhyme Horror Story', directed by Kim Gun and Lim Kyung-taek among others, has been officially invited to the non-competitive section of the 2025 Cannes International Series Festival (Canneseries), receiving high praise.
'Nursery Rhyme Horror Story' is an anthology horror series that uses familiar lullabies as its subject, unraveling the strange stories and psychology hidden beneath them in a blend of reality and fantasy. The series has been lauded for its modern reinterpretation of eerie mysteries intertwined with lyrical melodies, showcasing the unique sentiment and aesthetics of K-Horror on a global stage.
The series is particularly noted for the powerful performances of its cast in each episode. Hong Soo-hyun left a strong impression in the episode 'Just the Same', while Nam Gyu-ri did the same in 'My Joyful Home', both creating characters where horror and emotion coexist. Additionally, Choi Jong-nam, who appeared in 'My Joyful Home', perfectly portrayed a mysterious middle-aged man, earning a standing ovation in Cannes.
The production company, Cotop Media, is renowned for consistently creating acclaimed K-Horror series both domestically and internationally, such as 'Strange School Tales', 'The Kind Policeman' (literal title), and 'Midnight Horror: Six Nights' (literal title). Notably, 'Strange School Tales' was pre-sold to overseas OTT platforms like VIU and aired in eight Southeast Asian countries, leading the charge in K-Horror's global expansion.
The new work 'Nursery Rhyme Horror Story' was selected for the 'Overseas Distribution Activation Support Project for Domestic OTTs' led by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Broadcasting and Telecommunication Promotion Corporation in 2024, officially recognizing its quality and potential.
'Nursery Rhyme Horror Story' was officially screened at the Palais des Festivals, the heart of the Cannes Festival, on April 29th at 2 PM local time, selling out and garnering high interest from local media and audiences. During the same day's stage greeting and interview, the cast introduced the production's behind-the-scenes and the charm of K-Horror, receiving a warm response.
The following day, actors Hong Soo-hyun, Nam Gyu-ri, Choi Jong-nam, and Han Da-ni attended the pink carpet event, making a strong presence and promoting 'Nursery Rhyme Horror Story' worldwide. Local media heralded the popularity and success of Cotop Media and 'Nursery Rhyme Horror Story' with the moniker "A New Wave of K-Horror".
Cotop Media's Chairman Ko Dae-hwa stated, "We will continue to refine the unique color of K-Horror, based on Korea's unique sentiment and narrative structure, to consistently present content that captures global attention."
'Nursery Rhyme Horror Story' is set to air domestically and is expected to collaborate with global OTT platforms following its positive reception in Cannes.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)