Australia’s Korean diaspora steps into the limelight with the upcoming horror anthology, Night Bloomers, premiering on SBS VICELAND on Saturday 28 October at 9:30pm.
This gripping five-part series, made available shortly after for streaming on SBS On Demand, delves into the chilling narratives that trace back to the immigration experiences of the Korean Australian community.
Filmed against the backdrop of Sydney’s Western Suburbs, this project proudly aligns with the SBS/NITV and Screen Australia’s Digital Originals initiative, focusing on bringing to the forefront underrepresented voices in the industry.
At the heart of Night Bloomers is a talented ensemble, starring Ra Chapman, Deborah An, Helen Kim, Joshua Park, Rayden Casano, Jaewoo Kim, Clara Kim, Jeno Kim, Charles An, and Cooper Mortlock. Recognising its potency, the series has been earmarked for a feature at the esteemed SXSW Sydney in the TV Premieres section.
Anchoring the project, Andrew Undi Lee, who wears multiple hats as the creator, writer, director, and producer shared,
“I wanted to highlight various Korean-Australian experiences that dated back to the 1970’s, while not shying away from the truths of our dark history and experiences as Asians in Australia.”
Lee’s commitment to preserving narratives from first-generation Korean immigrants, combined with a nod to Korean folklore and shamanistic storytelling traditions, is evident.
Teaming up with Lee in the production sphere is Ashlea Ritchie. Additionally, the project enjoys the guidance of executive producers Michael McMahon and Barry Gamba of Arts & Cultural Exchange. The series also taps into the talents of writers Ra Chapman, Jacob Holmes-Brown, and Suzanne Soo Hyun Kim, the latter also helming an episode as director.
Boasting a unique concoction of ancient Korean folklore and elements from Korean Shamanism, Night Bloomers navigates through eerie landscapes where heroes grapple with identities fragmented by the ramifications of war and immigration. The series touches upon their battle against malevolent entities, a representation of their profound internal yearnings and external adversities.
Loani Arman, SBS Scripted Commissioning Editor, emphasised the series’ significance, stating,
“We can’t wait for audiences to be delighted, surprised, and on the edge of their seats as they experience the spooky tales of Night Bloomers.”
Similarly, Lee Naimo, Screen Australia Head of Online and Games, lauded the series, highlighting Lee’s “authentic and bold creative vision” that promises an unparalleled journey into the stories of the Korean diaspora. Echoing this sentiment, Kyas Hepworth, Head of Screen NSW, acknowledged Night Bloomers for championing the tales of underrepresented communities.
A cornerstone in the Digital Originals initiative, the series is in stellar company with previous successes like A Beginner’s Guide to Grief and Latecomers, available on SBS On Demand.
Concluding on an inclusive note, Night Bloomers ensures accessibility with audio description and subtitles in languages such as Simplified Chinese, Arabic, Vietnamese, Traditional Chinese, and Korean. The much-anticipated series airs on SBS Viceland and SBS on Demand at the end of October.
