Going European

Our Secret Door

Notre Porte Secrète

Needs

International Distributors, Co-producers, Broadcasters, Platforms, National and/or regional fund, Private Funds / Banks, Talent agent, Producers

Synopsis

Gangwha Island, Korea, 1866.
A fleet of French military ships launches an assault on the Joseon Kingdom, an unprecedented event in the country’s history. Amid this clash of civilizations, an unexpected love story blossoms between Auguste, a principled French officer, and On-hui, a mysterious scholar safeguarding royal knowledge.
France, Present Day.
Henri, a charming rogue navigating Paris’s elite circles, finds his life upended when Boris, his vengeful former gang leader, resurfaces. Just as Boris closes in, Henri inherits a crumbling mansion targeted by ruthless developers. Deep within its ruins, a strange door seems to lead nowhere…
Korea, Present Day.
Hyo-jin, a sophisticated but distant woman, returns from New York’s fashion world to Korea. She hopes to reclaim a lost love, Kyung-ho, who she has always secretly admired since the day they first met in high school. But she soon finds out that he is already engaged to another woman! She also has to face rejection from her rich family that look down on her as an illegitimate daughter… Desperate, she seeks refuge in a remote aisle of her family’s mansion, drowning her sorrows… unaware of a mysterious door that reacts to her presence.
By inadvertently opening a passage between their two worlds, Henri and Hyo-jin, despite their stark differences, must navigate an uneasy cohabitation. A pact emerges: Henri will help Hyo-jin win back Kyung-ho, while she aids him in repaying Boris. Yet, as they conspire, unexpected feelings arise.
What they don’t know is that their destinies were entwined long before, heirs to a love story tragically cut short two centuries earlier… Will history repeat itself?

Writer’s statement

“Our Secret Door” is a feel-good romantic comedy with a touch of fantasy and a connection to the past, blending the engaging tropes of Korean dramas with the classic French comedic traditions of vaudeville and Marivaudage.Aiming at a young adult audience, this romance hinges on a compelling concept: a mysterious door that instantaneously connects Seoul and Paris. We are able to explore the “postcard” aspects of these iconic but charmingly different cities, tapping into the Parisian fantasy of Koreans and the Seoulite fantasy of the French. This cultural duality is mirrored in our protagonists, Henri and Hyo-jin, who are complete opposites!What sets this series apart is its unique structure: each episode features a prologue and epilogue revealing a dramatic love story set in 1866 which is juxtaposed against a lighthearted, modern romance at the heart of the story. There is a sense of echoes of the past living on in the present and a desire to find a different resolution.The secret door is a double-edged sword: While its power offers solutions to Henri and Hyo-jin’s external problems, it also equally complicates and creates new cascading problems.While the finale “opens the door” for a second season, these eight hour-long episodes offer a satisfying arc for Henri and Hyo-jin’s adventures, culminating in a happy ending. Despite their differences, clashing cultures and conflicting values, love ultimately triumphs.

Jésus CASTRO-ORTEGA
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Jésus CASTRO-ORTEGA

Author

France,France
Biography
Jesus Castro-Ortega is a writer and director who has worked internationally on various documentary films. His most notable works include In Balance (France 3) and several documentaries about director Bong Joon-ho’s films (Snowpiercer: From the White Page to the Black Screen, Mother: Behind the Curtain, Memories, The Host: Family Stories), all produced under the banner of his company, Grab the Cat, founded in 2014. Alongside his longtime friend and associate Eddy Fluchon, he ventures now into the world of fiction with two series projects awarded by the CNC (french film council) and supported by the Seoul Film Commission.
Eddy FLUCHON
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Eddy FLUCHON

Author

France,France
Biography
After a decade in the automotive industry, Eddy Fluchon dedicates himself to his passion: screenwriting. He begins his career at Millimages as a head writer on several animated series. Since then, he has written over 310 episodes and led five animated series for various productions. In parallel, he co-founds Grab The Cat with Jesus Castro Ortega, where he produces short films and documentaries, several of which are connected to Korean cinema. He also develops feature films and live-action series. Two Franco-Korean drama projects receive support from the FAIA COCO-I. In 2024, he writes an episode of “Murder in...” for France TV.
Haeri LEE
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Haeri LEE

Author

South Korea
Biography
Haeri Lee is a versatile Korean screenwriter known for her work across various television formats, including series, dramas, web dramas, and short-form series. Her writing spans genres from drama and romance to young adult, captivating both a Korean and a global audience. Notable works include "Under the Gun," "Broadcast Accident” and "Never Give Up!" on Netflix. Haeri is thrilled to collaborate with French writers to bring their unique romantic comedy series, "Our Secret Door," to the screen in Korea, France and beyond.
About
Country of production
France
Format
Series: 8 x 60min
Written by
Jésus CASTRO-ORTEGA, Eddy FLUCHON, Haeri LEE
Languages
French, Korean, English
Genres
Comedy

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