KC Global Media Asia Wraps Production on First China Original Series 'VIII: Awakening'

BEIJING — Production has concluded in Beijing on "VIII: Awakening," a fantasy adventure drama series produced by KC Global Media Asia in partnership with the China Intercontinental Communication Center (CICC) and Shanghai Qi'Ai Film & TV Culture Co., Ltd.

The first season consists of 24 fifteen-minute episodes. The project represents KC Global Media Asia's first original production in China, with the company also managing international sales for the title.

"VIII: Awakening" is a contemporary adaptation of a classic Chinese mythological legend. The narrative follows insurance investigator Lu Xian, played by Nick Shan, who discovers he is the descendant of an ancient guardian after awakening a precognitive power. He must unite seven others to prevent a deadly conspiracy, stop an imprisoned dragon clan from returning, and overcome internal betrayal to restore peace.

The cast features Zhang Wan Ying as He Haining, Leo Zhou as Dong Fang Shuo, and Nick Shan as Lu Xian. The production team is led by internet midform series director Yu Ji and executive produced by KC Global Media Asia partners Andy Kaplan and George Chien. Meng Xun served as the production designer.

Bonnie Wiryani, Vice President and Head of Content Sales at KC Global Media Asia, noted that the project reflects growing global interest in creatively developed local and cultural stories. She added that the company sees potential for the story to expand beyond a single title into a broader universe.

Headquartered in the United States with multiple regional offices in Asia, KC Global Media Entertainment LLC operates networks such as AXN, Animax, ONE, KCM, and AXN Sports. The company's distribution footprint spans 112 million Pay TV, OTT, and FAST households across 52 territories in Asia and Africa.

"The expansion of media enterprises into original regional productions highlights a strategic shift toward culturally grounded content with global distribution potential. By partnering with established local entities like CICC and Shanghai Qi'Ai, international media networks can effectively scale their content portfolios while retaining intellectual property rights for cross-border distribution. For businesses operating in the entertainment sector, investing in locally resonant narratives that leverage digital and multi-platform distribution footprints is key to sustaining audience engagement across diverse international markets." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes