Leading South Korean director Kang Je-gyu (“Taegukgi”) and China’s top director Feng Xiaogang (“Aftershock”) are to jointly produce black action comedy “The Bad Man Must Die.”
Directorial duties will be handled by Sun Hao, Feng’s former assistant and frequent collaborator.
The film is set as one of the largest in a growing tide of Korean-Chinese co-productions, following successes that include “Wedding Invitation” and “20! Once Again.” It has secured popular stars from Korea and Greater China.
Korean actress Son Ye-jin (“A Moment to Remember”) plays opposite Taiwan’s Chen Bolin, who recently appeared in hit Chinese film “The Continent.” He plays a young Chinese man who travels to Korea’s Jeju Island, where he encounters a mysterious lady, played by Son. Korea’s Shin Hyun-joon, best known for TV dramas, plays a suspected killer.
With a budget of $18.2 million (KRW 20 billion), China’s New Power Film is producing “Bad Man,” while Huayi Brothers, which partially funded 2013 Korean-Chinese production “Mr. Go,” is the main investor.
Shooting will begin on Jeju Island from late March. “Bad Man” is scheduled for theatrical release in both countries in 2016.
Separately, Kang has recently returned to directing and has “Salute d’Amour” set for an April release.
(Origin title: "Feng Xiaogang, Kang Je-gyu Team Up For ‘The Bad Man Must Die")