Entertainment
Unscripted Asian male pageantry series in development based on ‘Rags 2 Richmond’
Viral Nation, Media Trifecta, and Octagon Metatainment partner to adapt the microdrama franchise for television buyers.
The short version
- Viral Nation and Media Trifecta are developing an unscripted reality competition series centered on Asian male pageantry based on the 'Rags 2 Richmond' intellectual property.
- The project expands a franchise that originated as an independent vertical microdrama before expanding into a feature film.
- Producers plan to present the series to buyers at the Access Canada Summit during the Toronto Film Festival's market.
Key facts
- Viral Nation and Media Trifecta have partnered with Octagon Metatainment to create a reality competition format based on the 'Rags 2 Richmond' franchise.[Variety]
- The planned competition series focuses on Asian male pageantry, testing participants on style, performance, and showmanship ahead of a live finale.[Variety]
- The project will be pitched to prospective buyers at the Access Canada Summit within the Toronto Film Festival's inaugural market.[Variety]
- The original vertical series generated more than nine million views on Instagram during its first month.[Variety]
- A feature film adaptation starring Jonathan Wong, Eric Tsang, Nancy Sit, Shannon Kook, and Jennifer Tong finished filming in late 2025.[Variety]