HYBE to Produce K-Pop Film... 'Kedeheon' Youngest Yoo Ji-young, Eric Nam Cast as Leads

[Financial News] HYBE America announced on the 22nd (local time in the US) that it will produce a film themed around K-Pop in collaboration with Paramount Pictures, a leading American film production company.
According to HYBE on the 24th, the film will depict the story of a Korean-American girl who participates in an audition TV program to become the next-generation K-Pop girl group despite her family's opposition, with the title yet to be decided.
Yoo Ji-young, who played the youngest 'Joy' in the Netflix animated film 'K-Pop Demon Hunters,' and Eric Nam, who played the surgical resident 'Yona Yoon' in the Hollywood film 'Transplant' released last year, have been cast as the leads.
The film is set to be released in theaters on February 12, 2027, with filming scheduled to begin mid-September this year, all on location in Korea. This is the first time a major Hollywood film production company will shoot entirely in Korea.
Korean-American filmmaker Benson Lee will direct. After graduating from college, he pursued new experiences between Paris, France, and London, UK, and was inspired to start filmmaking by the works of director Roman Polanski. In 1998, his debut film 'Miss Monday' won the Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, making his presence known. 
James Shin, president of HYBE America's film and TV division, Arthur Spector and Joshua Davis of Epic Magazine, and Scooter Braun will participate in the production. The executive producers are Joshua Bearman, John Zaosirni, and Scott Manson of Epic Magazine. Brian O'Paramount Pictures' senior vice president will oversee the entire project representing the production company.
Director Benson Lee stated, "This film is my love letter to K-Pop, which has energy, passion, magic, and an incredible community that supports it," adding, "I sincerely thank Paramount Pictures for supporting the project, the dedicated production team, and everyone who made the story a reality."
James Shin, president of HYBE America's film and TV division, said, "While capturing the dedication, artistry, and endless popularity of K-Pop, we will tell a universal theme of pursuing dreams despite any adversity." 

jashin@fnnews.com Jina Shin Reporter