1ON presents YA dramas with globally famous TikTokers

With focus on new talents from Central Asia and other regions, the studio’s current slate includes eight drama series at various stages of production or development, with release dates planned for 2024–2025.

Irina Sosnovaya, 1ON producer and showrunner of Gold Diggers, the first Amazon Original from the Commonwealth of Independent States, said: ‘Over the past few years, Kazakhstan filmmakers have won major film awards ranging from the Berlin festivals to the Grammys. This proves that Kazakhstan has what it takes to be successful at the international level. I believe that the Kazakhstan series industry has just scratched the surface, and we are excited about the region’s future. We are focusing on creating global content with a local flavor — this will raise the prestige of Kazakh films and TV series among local audiences while increasing their potential for the international market’

The first two series, Target and Two, are aimed at a YA/ teen audience. In fact, to reach the Gen Z audience, 1ON Studio partnered with one of the largest global TikTok houses, JKS Entertainment, and a cast of TikTok influencers whose audience is spread across the world, from South East Asia to South America. The main cast are influencers with massive followings, like Alina Kim (@homm9K on TikTok),  Aida Kurmangalieva (@monaalemi), Rodion Kan (@raidess), Luna Gizattulaeva (@lunamccall.moon), and Dias Alpysbaev (@sixtyrich). The total audience of these creators alone is over 142.8 million users.

The first season of Target has been completed (8 episodes, 26 minutes each), and the second season is in production and will be delivered in February 2024.

Bexultan Kazybek, co-founder of 1ON Studio, expressed: ‘There are many talented creators in Kazakhstan who are capable of creating interesting and original content that will be of interest not only to viewers from the CIS countries but also to the world community. The production of films and TV series in the CIS countries will grow rapidly, and Kazakhstan will increasingly have to lead this creative trend.

We are certain Target will ignite the passion of young adults, drawing in a massive audience from all around the world. The hype is already building up: the hashtag #homaraides (these are the names of two supporting characters in the series) has already received over 7 billion views. The fans are anticipating these influencers becoming a couple, so the first time they’ll be shown as a couple is in this series’.

Meanwhile, Irina Sosnovaya, 1ON Studio producer and showrunner of Gold Diggers, the first Amazon Original from the CIS, added: ‘The teen drama Two is in post-production now, we’re also presenting it at MIPCOM. This story is about high-school senior Margo, who has to face the consequences of lying about her pregnancy. The creative storytelling in the series reflects the way teenagers communicate through video chats and vlogs on social platforms, which have become irreplaceable elements of their lives’.

In addition to series for young audiences, which will be released first, 1ON Studio’s portfolio includes several serious, adult dramas that will resonate with people of all ages all over the world. Jasmine is about a Muslim girl from a remote Kazakh village with a passion for running, who is fighting for the right to remain her own person.

Also Shattered, which story starts with the now-mute Dara, who after serving three years in prison, will have to regain her place in the glamorous world of show business, take back her child, and find out who put her behind bars.

As the official distributor of the production company 1ON Studio, Media Distribution Company from Armenia, the company is committed to pushing its content worldwide. At the same time, continues developing its verticals of buying and selling high-quality content worldwide. The company specializes in Film, TV, Internet, and VOD distribution in Armenia, the CIS countries, and the rest of the world. For inquiries, please contact Valeria Korotina, International Business Development and Distribution, at v.korotina@mdcompany.am