AI-Assisted Animated K-Drama ‘The Painted Soul’ Directed By Choi Junbae Sets Rakuten Viki Launch

Variety Entertainment•Published: Oct 9, 2026 06:30 PM IST

The original animated fantasy romance K-drama titled 'The Painted Soul', directed by 'Mouse' filmmaker Choi Junbae, is scheduled for an exclusive global release on Rakuten Viki on October 21. Co-produced by Viki and South Korean production company Imaginus, the series uniquely incorporates artificial intelligence and advanced technologies into its creative development process. The show will premiere across numerous regions worldwide, including the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Oceania, India, and Southeast Asia.

Global Launch Date: The fantasy romance series will premiere exclusively on October 21 across multiple international regions.
Technology Integration: South Korean co-producer Imaginus utilized artificial intelligence and other modern techniques during the development phase.
Broad Distribution: The series will be accessible to viewers across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Oceania, India, and Southeast Asia.
Creative Leadership: The project is spearheaded by director Choi Junbae, well-known for his previous work on the series 'Mouse'.

The Context & Background

This project represents a growing trend of integrating cutting-edge technological advancements into traditional entertainment pipelines to expand the reach of South Korean storytelling. By leveraging AI-assisted tools alongside conventional creative methods, creators are exploring new horizons for animation and fantasy romance genres globally.

Why it matters:This release marks a significant milestone in the convergence of artificial intelligence and traditional Asian entertainment production. By deploying AI tools in the development of a major K-drama, the creators are testing new industry standards that could reshape how international streaming platforms commission and produce animated content.

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