''Namib'' () is a 2024–2025 South Korean

slice of life Slice of life is a depiction of mundane experiences in art and entertainment. In theater, slice of life refers to Naturalism (theatre), naturalism, while in literary parlance it is a narrative technique in which a seemingly arbitrary sequence ...

workplace television series written by Eom Sung-min, co-directed by and , and starring Go Hyun-jung, Ryeoun,

Yoon Sang-hyun Yoon Sang-hyun (; born September 21, 1973) is a South Korean actor and singer. He is best known for his roles in '' Queen of Housewives'' (2009), ''My Fair Lady'' (2009), '' Secret Garden'' (2011) and '' I Can Hear Your Voice'' (2013). Career ...

, and Lee Jin-woo. The series depicts a star creation project between a fired star producer and a male trainee. It aired on ENA from December 23, 2024, to January 28, 2025, every Monday and Tuesday at 22:00 ( KST), and subsequently

streaming Streaming media refers to multimedia delivered through a network for playback using a media player. Media is transferred in a ''stream'' of packets from a server to a client and is rendered in real-time; this contrasts with file downl ...

Genie TV Genie TV (; formerly Olleh TV) is an IPTV service provided by South Korea's main telecom operator KT (telecommunication company), KT. It broadcasts Video on demand, VOD including TV programs, movies, children's programs, sports, documentaries and ...

. It is also available for streaming on Viki in selected regions.

Synopsis

Kang Soo-hyun, a star producer who trains idols gets fired from her position as co-CEO of Pandora Entertainment. She then approaches a long-term male trainee named Yoo Jin-woo with malicious intentions, but gradually shows sincerity and helps him achieve his dream.

Cast and characters

Main

* Go Hyun-jung as Kang Soo-hyun : A star producer who raises idols with her own philosophy and intuition but was fired from her position as co-CEO of Pandora Entertainment. Even after being kicked out of the company for some reason, she struggles to take responsibility for her disabled son. * Ryeoun as Yoo Jin-woo : A long-term trainee at Soo-hyun's company.He is a 10-year trainee with all sorts of flaws, from his parents' debt to his past career. Just when he was about to give up his dream, drifting like the waves, he starts training again, following Soo-hyun's advice who says she will make him a star. *

as Shim Jun-seok : A former music producer who quit his job after his son was injured and became a full-time house husband. He gradually develops a desire to return to work due to his wife's stubbornness and becomes Yoo Jin-woo's producer. * Lee Jin-woo as Shim Jin-woo : Soo-hyun and Jun-seok's only son who lost his hearing in a car accident when he was young and is the main worry of his parents, but he actually tolerates bullying at school.

Supporting

* Lee Ki-taek as Chris : A talented agency trainee but ends up working as the manager of an entertainment establishment after being released. *

Kim Hyun-sook Kim Hyun-sook (; born October 16, 1978) is a South Korean actress and comedian. She is best known for playing the title character in '' Ugly Miss Young-ae'', a long-running sitcom A sitcom (short for situation comedy or situational comedy) ...

as Hong Jung-hwa : Soo-hyun's close friend and the first singer produced by Soo-hyun and Jun-seok. She rose to stardom as soon as she debuted, but is now retired and runs an Italian restaurant. She helps Soo-hyun as Jin-woo's vocal trainer. *

Choi Yu-ju Choi Yu-ju (), known mononymously as Yuju, is a South Korean singer and actress under FNC Entertainment. She is a former member of the South Korean girl group Cherry Bullet. Career Before her debut, Choi appeared in BTS's "Love Yourself: Her" ...

as Kyung Ha-na : A singer trainee in her late 20s, which is not young for a trainee, but she is confident in herself and challenges her dream of becoming a singer.

Production

Development

In February 2024, it was reported that director Jung Da-won, who directed '' Miss & Mrs. Cops'' (2019) and writer Eom Sung-min, who penned '' Default'' (2018), would work together while SLL and Studio Wooyoungsoo co-managed the production for the series. On April 29, the

original lineup was revealed at the 2024 KT Group Media Day held at the Novotel Ambassador in

Dongdaemun District Dongdaemun District () is one of the 25 List of districts of Seoul, districts of Seoul, South Korea. It has a population of 346,770 (2010) and has a geographic area of 14.22 Square kilometre, km2 (5.49 sq mi), and is divided into 14 ''Dong (admin ...

Seoul Seoul, officially Seoul Special Metropolitan City, is the capital city, capital and largest city of South Korea. The broader Seoul Metropolitan Area, encompassing Seoul, Gyeonggi Province and Incheon, emerged as the world's List of cities b ...

and that the series title was tentatively changed to ''Starry Night'' () and would be airing on ENA's Monday–Tuesday timeslot. PD , who directed ''

Ugly Miss Young-ae ''Ugly Miss Young-ae'' () is a long-running South Korean television series starring Kim Hyun-sook. The series premiered on tvN in South Korea on April 20, 2007. It is now on its 17th season, starting February 8, 2019. Synopsis A realistic drama ...

'' seasons 8–17 (2011–2019) and ''Cold Blooded Intern'' (2023), replaced Jung to helm the series. On November 7, it was also revealed that director would also direct. At the

press conference A press conference, also called news conference or press briefing, is a media event in which notable individuals or organizations invite journalism, journalists to hear them speak and ask questions. Press conferences are often held by politicia ...

on December 16, director Kang told the media that there were several working titles for the series during the planning stage but eventually chose "Namib" as the meaning of it was beautiful and well fit the character.

Casting

On February 19, 2024, Go Hyun-jung was reportedly cast to star on the series and currently reviewing it at that time. The next day, it was reported that Ryeoun is positively considering to appear in the drama. On February 22,

Song Sae-byeok Song Sae-byeok (born December 25, 1979) is a South Korean actor. After gaining attention as a supporting actor in '' The Servant'' (2010), Song played the leading roles in the comedies '' Meet the In-Laws'' (2011) and '' The Suck Up Project: Mr. ...

was reportedly cast for the series. On August 8, Go and Ryeoun along with

, who replaced Song, and Lee Jin-woo has officially confirmed their appearances.

Filming

Principal photography Principal photography is the phase of producing a film or television show in which the bulk of shooting takes place, as distinct from the phases of pre-production and post-production. Personnel Besides the main film personnel, such as the ...

took place for five months between July and December 2024.

Release

''Namib'' was scheduled to premiere on

, Genie TV Mobile, and ENA in the second half of 2024, and would also be available to stream on Viki in 190 countries. In November 2024, it was confirmed that the series would air on December 23, every Monday and Tuesday at 22:00 ( KST).

Viewership

Notes

References

External links

* * * * {{SLL (South Korean company) 2024 South Korean television series debuts 2025 South Korean television series endings ENA television dramas Television series by KT Studio Genie Korean-language television shows K-pop television series Slice of life fiction South Korean pre-produced television series South Korean workplace television series Television series by SLL