Bona, Village Roadshow Among China Buyers For Finecut’s Korean Slate
As China’s love-in with Korean content continues to blossom, China’s Bona Film Group was prominent among the pre-buyers for upcoming Korean comedy “Fashion King.”
Based on a popular web comic strip, “Fashion King,” which revolves around a high schooler who attempts a total make-over to win the girl of his dreams, has numerous credentials to appeal to the Chinese market.
Directed by Oh Ki-hwan, who previously directed Korean-backed Chinese hit “A Wedding Invitation,” it stars Joo Won (TV’s “Good Doctor”), Ahn Jae-hyeon (TV’s “My Love from the Stars”), and Sulli, a member of the K-pop group f(x).
Sales company Finecut introduced the film at this month’s Busan film market ahead of its theatrical release in Korea on Nov. 6 through Next Entertainment World. It also licensed it for Taiwan to Golden Harvest, and for Thailand to Hoyaspotainment. Bona additionally acquired rights in Hong Kong and Macau.
Finecut also sold Chinese remake rights “Hide And Seek,” the most watched thriller in Korea last year, to Village Roadshow Asia. Rights to the original Korean-language film directed by Huh Jung, were licensed to Film Movement for North America, Germany (Edel), Hong Kong & Macau (I-Cable Entertainment), Malaysia (Hwa Yea Multimedia), Taiwan (Eagle International), and China (Lemon Tree Media Company).
Chinese online video company iQiyi was a buyer of Finecut’s “Han Gong Ju,” a much decorated festival film and “Fatal.” “Han Gong Ju” also sold to Japan’s New Select, Spain’s Mediatres, the U.K.’s Third Window and Frances’s Dissidenz. “Fatal” additionally sold to Japan (Alcine Terran), Malaysia (Hwa Yea Multimedia) and North America (Asian Media Rights).
The company also sold rights to recent Kim Ki-duk title “One On One” to Japan’s King Records, and Italy’s Fil Rouge Media, following the film’s premiere in the Venice Days section at Venice. Another Venice title Hong Sangsoo’s “Hill of Freedom” was sold to Hong Kong’s Edko Films, Italy’s Fil Rouge.