Eric Nam, 'KPop Demon Hunters' Ji-young Yoo to star in K-pop film by HYBE America, Paramount Pictures
HYBE America, the US arm of the Korean entertainment company HYBE, is joining forces with Paramount Pictures to produce a new K-pop-themed live-action film.
Although it has no title yet, the movie will follow the story of a Korean American girl pursuing her dreams of joining a next-generation K-pop girl group despite her family's objections.
Ji-young Yoo, popularly known for her role as Zoey in the Netflix hit film KPop Demon Hunters, and American singer Eric Nam have been cast in the lead roles.
"If 15-year-old me could see me now. I will try my best," Yoo wrote partly in Korean on Instagram.
"This one's for the dreamers," Nam captioned his announcement post.
Benson Lee, who helmed the acclaimed 2007 documentary Planet B-Boy and the 2015 feature film Seoul Searching, will direct the upcoming project.
"This film is my love letter to K-pop—its energy, passion, magic, and the incredible community behind it," Lee said in a statement.
"I'm deeply grateful to Paramount Pictures for championing the project, to our producers for their unwavering dedication, to our talented and dynamic cast, and to the legends of the genre helping us bring this story to life. This one's for the dreamers," he added.
Eileen Shim, on the other hand, will pen the screenplay.
Meanwhile, James Shin, president of film and TV at HYBE America, said that the film will capture "the incredible dedication and artistry that defines K-pop and its insatiable popularity, while showcasing the universal themes of chasing your dreams against all odds."
The film, slated for a February 2027 release, is said to be the first major Hollywood studio project to be shot entirely in South Korea.
