KBS Unveils AI-Powered Drama 'The Night the Wolf Disappeared,' Pioneering New Production Methods

Public broadcaster KBS is set to revolutionize drama production by integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology.

'The Night the Wolf Disappeared,' part of the 2025 KBS One-Act Series 'Love: Track,' showcases a groundbreaking approach using AI-based video conversion technology to realistically portray wolves without the need for actual wild animal filming.

This innovative technique involves filming real dogs and then employing AI to transform the footage, making them appear as wolves on screen. This effectively bypasses the significant risks and logistical challenges associated with filming wild animals, thereby enhancing both safety and efficiency on set.

Set to air on the 17th at 9:50 PM, 'The Night the Wolf Disappeared' tells the story of a couple on the brink of divorce who confront the beginnings and ends of love while searching for an escaped wolf. The production team leveraged AI to meticulously recreate the nuanced expressions and dynamic movements of a wolf, which would have been difficult to capture through conventional means.

KBS stated, "The adoption of AI technology is a choice to expand the expressive range of drama production, reduce potential risks, and establish a more stable production environment." They added, "This is an example of seeking responsible production methods through technology."

The AI techniques and production know-how accumulated from this one-act drama are slated for application in KBS's upcoming historical drama 'Munmu,' scheduled for broadcast next year. As a public broadcaster, KBS aims to strengthen its accountability throughout the production process and build a sustainable production model utilizing technology.

The industry is keenly observing whether this initiative will herald a significant shift in overall content production environments by offering a viable alternative to filming real wild animals.

Netizens have responded positively to the AI-generated wolves, with comments like "Much more natural than CGI" and "I hope this technology is used more in the future." Many were impressed by the ability to "achieve good direction without animal cruelty."