Mediacorp unveiled new international co-development alliances at Asia TV Forum, teaming with regional powerhouses to expand its scripted output.
The slate includes the Korean-language title Orange Boy from the North and the Chinese-language The Penrose Trap and Voyage Unknown. The projects are being supported by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).
Orange Boy from the North emerged from the Singaporean media company’s MOU with Korea’s Mr. Romance. It is penned by Shin Yu Dam.
The Penrose Trap is from screenwriter and producer Gary Tang, while Voyage Unknown is in partnership with Lau Kok Rui.
Virginia Lim, chief content officer, said, “These new co-development projects reflect our ongoing collaboration with creative teams across the region. Working with partners beyond Singapore brings fresh perspectives and strengthens the relationships we’ve built across Asia. Each project is an opportunity to tell stories that highlight the diversity and richness of Asian cultures.”
Mediacorp also announced the second season of its mentorship program for up-and-coming Chinese drama scriptwriters, Inkspiration. “Our experience from season one affirmed the importance of putting in place a structured development pathway to support writers at the early stages of their journey,” Lim noted. “With season two, we remain focused on developing writing talent and supporting stories that reflect Singapore’s unique identity and creative spirit. This continued investment in local storytelling underscores our commitment to nurturing the next generation of writers and strengthening Singapore’s creative ecosystem.”
Yvonne Tang, IMDA assistant chief executive, media industry group, said, “Season one has shown that when new storytellers are paired with strong mentorship, powerful stories can take shape. We are happy to be supporting a second run of Inkspiration for new, emerging local scriptwriters to learn from acclaimed industry veterans and hone their craft in storytelling. We look forward to seeing more homegrown stories make the leap from script to screen and resonate with both Singaporean and global audiences.”
Mediacorp’s talent development initiatives also include the ATF x Mediacorp Co-Production Pitch, which drew 75 entries from 21 countries in its second edition. Projects were presented from five shortlisted finalists at ATF, judged by Lim, Angie Chai, chairman and CEO of Mission International; Sheena Liu, president of TVBS Media; and Peter Choe, CEO of Blint. The winning projects, Toei’s Blood Pact from Japan and Raccoon Films’ The Musical Chairs from Thailand, each received a cash prize of S$10,000 and will have the opportunity to be considered for co-production with Mediacorp.
“This year’s entries highlight the creativity and ambition of storytellers from diverse backgrounds,” Lim said. “We’re seeing strong interest in stories that are elevated through co-productions and creative partnerships. At Mediacorp, we focus on bold, original ideas that push creative boundaries and aim to deliver fresh, engaging content to our audiences.”
