Philippines’ social media brand Kumu and webnovel platform Wattpad begin production on an eight-part video version of Filipino writer Jamille Fumah’s "Kiss Master" in July this year. 

The interactive series, scheduled for release in Fall 2022, is part of Wattpad’s global branded-entertainment initiative launched last year, and follows a series of campaigns between Kumu and Wattpad to deepen engagement between Wattpad’s six million users in the Philippines and the platform’s authors and stories. 

In addition to expanding Kumu’s professionally produced entertainment, the new deal – the first of its kind between the two platforms – offers Wattpad writers expanded monetisation opportunities. 

“Kumu is focused on raising the voices of creative Filipinos,” says Angelo Mendez, Kumu’s co-founder and content chief. 

Dexter Ong, Wattpad Webtoon Studios’ managing director, international, described the latest Kumu alliance as “creating a new frontier of the Creator Economy, developing new ways for Wattpad’s biggest influencers to monetise their work, and activate built-in fandoms to create on-screen hits”.

ABS-CBN-owned Philippines’ production house, Black Sheep Productions ("Exes Baggage", "Alone/Together"), will produce the series, directed by Chad Vidanes ("He’s Into Her").

"Kiss Master" stars Kaori Oinuma ("Love at First Stream") as Stussie, whose heart is broken by Arkanghel, a playful bad boy-turned cold and arrogant billionaire played by Kyle Echarri ("On the Wings of Love"). When he comes back into her life five years later and attempts to mend the relationship, she needs to choose whether to forgive him or not. Joao Constancia ("Four Sisters Before the Wedding") plays love interest Huge. 

Fans are being promised input and feedback every step of the way with regular live-streams on Wattpad’s Philippines’ Kumu channel. 

Kicking off on 6 June at 9pm, these companion streams will cover everything from music and wardrobe, to a “script with me” event offering fans the chance to create and write minor scenes, and participation in the official original sound track (OST).

The fan-engagement initiative also covers behind-the-scenes access to the live table reading, live set visits and cast meets.

Kiss Master has almost eight million reads on Wattpad. 

Jamille Fumah, who has published more than 30 stories with 336 million combined reads, has about 1.5 million Wattpad followers. She has also published five books with Bliss Books, Wattpad’s joint imprint with Anvil Publishing in the Philippines. Her latest release, "When I First Met You", was a National Book Store best-seller. 

The Philippines is one of Wattpad’s largest markets.