Kim Hyun-joong [KEYEAST]

Korean entertainer Kim Hyun-joong's new series is already raking in profits even before shooting the drama.

The distribution rights of "City Conquest," which will mark Kim's comeback project after MBC's "Naughty Kiss" aired in 2010, has been sold to Japan, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, his agency KEYEAST told 10Asia in a phone interview on Monday.

Though the news seems to have come a bit early, with the drama being scheduled to begin its shooting next month once the casting is done, the deals have brought the drama a whopping 10 million dollars in sales.

The official was careful about answering any questions regarding the show's local and overseas air date because the production company has yet to decide which broadcaster it will air "City Conquest" in Korea.

But the official said she assumes that the show will probably air in the aforementioned countries after the drama wraps up its run in Korea.

The singer and actor's latest feature in the small screen, "Naughty Kiss," is known to have scored a record-breaking sales after it was sold to 11 Asian countries, including Thailand and the Philippines.

In the forthcoming series, Kim will play a strong independent character named Baek Mir, who faces difficulties in life as an orphan.

Portraying a character that tries to take revenge to absolute evil in the society, the agency explained in the statement that this will mark a turning point for Kim as an actor, who has been mainly playing sweet, romantic roles.

Earlier this month, the "Boys Over Flowers" star kicked off his world tour starting with Singapore.

His tour's destinations include Hong Kong, Taiwan and China -- Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing.

Making his debut as a member of K-pop group SS501 in 2005, he has concurrently pursued his career as an actor by starring in KBS' teenage series "Boys Over Flowers" with actor Lee Min-ho in 2005.

After the series made a big hit, not just in Korea but in Asian countries, the star became a household name in the Hallyu phenomenon.

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10 아시아 Reporter : Monica Suk monicasuk@
10 아시아 Editor : Lucia Hong luciahong@
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