Malaysia’s leading integrated media group, Media Prima Television Network (Media Prima) recently collaborated with Korea’s nationwide terrestrial broadcast network, Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS) for the first time.

Inked through Media Prima’s content production and distribution arm Primeworks Studio, the collaboration involved the joint production for the Malaysian edition of Korean hit reality show, Master In The House.

The one-hour ten-episode Master In The House Malaysia’ follows the journey of five participating Malaysian celebrities as they discover and learn new skills and wisdoms from eight reputable masters. Each of them is successful in their own right but aspires to take their careers to the next level.

The participating celebrities are award-winning singer, songwriter and composer Hael Husaini; actor and actresses Andi Bernadee, Scha Elinnea, and Sharifah Rose; and rising star Meyrasam from local girl-group CASSIA.

The master line-up comprises Korean and Malaysian talents from among the crème de la crème of their respective fields. Gracing the first episode is Thailand-born rapper, singer-songwriter and producer BamBam who has proven his explosive global popularity as a member of K-pop idol boy group, GOT7. The line-up also includes Song Sung Deuk, performance director and choreographer for the world’s biggest boy band, BTS. Song has won several dance awards and is renowned for the “Butter” dance choreography.

On the other hand, joining the master line-up from Malaysia include Datuk Yusof Haslam, acclaimed actor, director, producer and script writer; Dato’ Sri Siti Nurhaliza, award-winning singer, songwriter and businesswoman; Datuk Rashid Sidek, Malaysian badminton legend; Sherson Lian, celebrity chef and television host; and Usamah Zaid, founder and Chief Executive Officer of WAU Animation, and creator and director of the award-winning animation series, Ejen Ali.

Elevating local content with international production standards

Nini Yusof, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Media Prima Television Networks and Primeworks Studios said, “At Media Prima, providing fresh, relevant and high-quality content has always been our dedication and promise for the Malaysian audience. Just like the celebrities in ‘Master In The House’, we are constantly seeking innovative ways to enhance the production quality and standards of our offerings.”

“We are privileged to have collaborated with SBS. Our production team had the opportunity to learn from the finest throughout the experience, especially during the 10-day filming session with our Korean counterparts in October 2021. We are confident that the ideas, knowledge and capabilities exchanged will enable us to raise the bar and deliver more top-notch content with international production value.”

The collaboration has started seeing some early signs of success following an overwhelming response that the reality show gained from viewers, fans and brands ahead of its premiere on 15 January 2022.

Media Prima also secured some exciting brand collaborations, including Korean ginseng brand CheongKwanJang (CKJ) as the main sponsor, hygiene soap leader Lifebuoy as the co-sponsor, and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G powering ‘Master In The House’.

An SBS spokesperson said, “We are encouraged by the response towards ‘Master In The House’, and happy that we are able to showcase the power of SBS’s innovative global formats through our collaboration with Media Prima. We hope that the partnership will inspire more creative ideas for us to fuel the growing demand for Korean content in Malaysia and across the world.”

The collaboration models similar successes that Media Prima has achieved through various strategic partnerships with global content and broadcasting networks in recent years.

Nini added, “Collaboration is the way forward to unlock the greatest potential for our content, distribution and talents. We look forward to growing our partnerships to bring diverse and compelling programmes, while enabling the best of our local entertainment a chance to shine on the world stage.”