Warner Bros sets ‘Secret Agent’ as Debut Korean Production

[modernelegance.livejournal.com]

BUSAN — Warner Bros. is to finance and distribute its first ever Korean-language movie, “Secret Agent.”

The 1930s period drama is to be directed by top Korean director Kim Jee-woon and star acting icon Song Kang-ho, who previously shared the lead in Kim’s kinetic kimchi Western “The Good, The Bad, The Weird.” Song is also familiar to U.S. audiences from “Snowpiercer.”

Warner becomes the second Hollywood studio to greenlight a Korean-language movie, following Fox Korea’s “Intimate Enemies” and “Slow Video” and its involvement in “The Yellow Sea.”

South Korea has one of the most vibrant film industries in the world. Thanks to high rates of cinema-going, it is the world’s sixth largest box office territory, with a cumulative gross last year of $1.52 billion, that puts it far ahead of much larger countries including Russia and Germany. In most years recently local films have accounted for most of the box office, prompting Hollywood studios to examine co-production or investment strategies in Korean-made titles.

“Secret Agent,” which is also known as “Mil-jeong,” has a $8.62 million (KRW 10 billion) budget. That is currently being fully financed by the studio, though Warner may look to bring on other local partners. Warner is a direct distributor in the country, and will handle the Korean theatrical release.

The project was planned and developed by Lee Jin-sook, CEO of local production house Harbin. It was pitched to Warner at script stage by Lee, who was seeking a production partner. Currently the project is structured as a co-venture between Warner and director Kim’s Grimm Pictures.

Set in Korea during the 20th century Japanese colonial era, the film will star Song and Gong Yoo (“The Suspect”). Production is set to begin in October, with locations including Korea and China.

Kim, who also directed ultra-violent drama “I Saw the Devil,” and classic horror “A Tale of Two Sisters,” is considered one of the top three directors from Korea, and has been actively courted by Hollywood studios. His Arnold Schwarzenegger-starring English-language debut “The Last Stand” was produced by Di Bonaventura Pictures. Kim is also attached as director to the project “Coward” for Electric City Entertainment, and as screenwriter on the New Regency Pictures remake of his “A Bittersweet Life.”


Variety & Drama Beans



Excitement doesn't even begin to describe my fangirly feelings about this entire project.

Comments

[agentgoodnight.livejournal.com]

GONG YOO!

Yesss, this sounds like a fantastic opportunity. I'm not a fan of all of his films, but Kim is a pretty impressive director. Oh man I'm excited.

Is the intention to hopefully create a similar Western adoption of Asian films like Stephen Chow's? There really needs to be wider appreciation for Korean cinema. And Gong Yoo.

[modernelegance.livejournal.com]

Personally, 'A Tale of Two Sisters' has been my favorite horror/thriller movie even before I became a fan of Gong Yoo (*shock* - I blame my youth)

So far everything looks spectacular and with the backing of WB I am hesitantly optimistic that this means Gong Yoo (and Korean Cinema in general) will be more widely accepted? I'm just so excited he has landed something of this caliber...and that it seems that western marketing for the movie will be pretty significant. (Compared to other Korean movies At least.)

[agentgoodnight.livejournal.com]

Oh same, A Tale of Two Sisters was actually one of the first kmovies I saw. Do you have other darker themed recommendations? I think Korea does the genre well, but I've only seen a handful. But about film in general, I have noticed that more and more quality Korean films are being shown and positively reviewed at Western film festivals (TIFF had a bunch of good ones last year). So I hope it continues!

I didn't even think of the promo! I'm so happy for him. He absolutely deserves more recognition.

[modernelegance.livejournal.com]

I agree. They do dark movies very well without crossing over into the gross/gratuitous violence. I came across this little list a few months ago so maybe it will steer you in the right direction! I'm slowly making my way through it.


(HOLY CRAP that was huge...sorry resized...okay 3 times)

One that's not listed on here but that I would also recommend is Memories of Murder. It was about SK's first serial killer. Just a warning the end leaves it a little unresolved but as a film overall it's still darker in nature. (I'm a true crime fanatic.)

[agentgoodnight.livejournal.com]

That's amazing, there are a bunch I've never seen so this is perfect. Thank you! I'll have a look at Memories of Murder as well :)

[modernelegance.livejournal.com]

Ignore me, Memories of Murder is under 'Thriller'. I looked for it under 'crime' and didn't see it. *sigh* I'm sorry for being so annoying this morning. Here is a gif of Gong Yoo to hopefully make up for my bothering you.

[agentgoodnight.livejournal.com]

Never apologize, especially when gifs of Gong Yoo are involved.

[mlmello.livejournal.com]

that's great!

[bugchan.livejournal.com]

omg i wish gong yoo would shoot a drama soon but this is just such a great opportunity for him. oppa get that $$$ and fame!

[agoongprincess.livejournal.com]

sounds incredible!!

[black-blasphemy.livejournal.com]

would prefer him in a drama romancing my fave unnirs but i guess this is acceptable.

[revertigo.livejournal.com]

i read the news release ten times to make sure there wasn't a white savior involved because doesn't that always happen when hollywood gets involved? so far so good!

[modernelegance.livejournal.com]

That is why I am cautiously optimistic.

Sorry to rant for just a second. I just listened to Remember This' podcast about Bruce Lee and how he tried to break into the industry in the 70's and was absolutely screwed over. I.E. He developed the premise for 'Kung Fu' wanting to cast himself for the lead. NBC (?) rejected his show b/c 'people weren't ready for an asian male lead' so he went back to Hong Kong to make movies...a year later the network came out with a show eerily close to Lee's idea and casted a white guy in his place. I know that this happens far more often than I even know concerning POC but it's just sad and disgusting that even now people/executives want to white wash things.

Sorry to get so deep...thanks for listening!