The highly anticipated Kitz premium short-form drama <Wind Up> starring NCT Jeno and Jaemin has taken the digital world by storm, proving its immense popularity with staggering viewership numbers immediately following its release.
Launched on January 16th, <Wind Up> meticulously built its identity as a youth sports growth drama through character poster reveals and a compelling main trailer. This strategic buildup paid off handsomely, with the main trailer alone accumulating an astounding 17.5 million views and 1.2 million likes across YouTube, X, and Instagram even before the full series premiered.

This explosive pre-release interest seamlessly translated into tangible success upon the drama’s official debut. <Wind Up> captivated audiences, surpassing 1 million cumulative views within just one day of its release. Within a mere two days, this figure soared past 3 million views, securing its position as the #1 ranking on the Kitz app’s TOP10 list. Such a dominant performance for a launch title firmly establishes its presence across all categories on the platform.
<Wind Up> delves into the poignant journey of high school baseball pitcher Woojin (played by Jeno), who finds himself unable to throw strikes due to ‘yips,’ and his self-proclaimed manager, transfer student Taehee (portrayed by Jaemin). The narrative skillfully explores themes of injury, trauma, and personal growth, with the evolving relationship between the two characters unfolding intensely within the short-form format. The delicate direction by Kim Sung-ho (renowned for <Move to Heaven: I Am a Relic Organizer> and <Bad Prosecutor>) combined with Jeno and Jaemin’s fresh acting synergy has been widely praised for elevating the drama’s overall quality.

The drama’s high quality and immersive storytelling have resonated deeply with viewers, generating a strong buzz across social media. Fans have lauded <Wind Up> for its:
- 🎬 Unstoppable Storytelling: Many viewers found themselves unable to pause, binge-watching the entire series.
- 💭 Lasting Impression: Despite its short-form nature, the drama leaves a profound and lingering emotional impact.
- ⚡ Unexpected Immersion: The level of engagement and depth surpassed audience expectations, drawing them completely into the characters’ world.
This enthusiastic word-of-mouth is propelling <Wind Up> to become a definitive sports growth content on the Kitz platform.
The swift rise of <Wind Up> featuring NCT Jeno and Jaemin is a testament to the power of compelling storytelling meeting global star power. As an urban explorer, I’m always looking for narratives that capture the pulse of youth culture, and this drama truly hits a home run.
Currently, <Wind Up> is exclusively available for streaming on the global K-POP short-form platform, Kitz, cementing its status as a must-watch series.
Editor: Eric Choi 🍜












