HYBE, Paramount to bring KPop Demon Hunters star to life in idol film

HYBE America Co., the US subsidiary of South Korea's entertainment titan HYBE Co., will produce a K-pop-themed film in collaboration with Paramount Pictures Corp., following a Korean American teenager's journey in becoming a K-pop idol.

In the untitled movie, the girl will join a televised audition program in hopes of becoming part of a K-pop idol group, defying her family’s objections.

Ji-young Yoo, a Korean American actress who voiced Zoey in the animated musical KPop Demon Hunters, will play the lead role. Zoey is the youngest of the three-member group Huntrix in the globally popular anime.

The movie is slated for a debut in theaters on Feb. 12, 2027, with the filming expected to commence in South Korea around mid-September.

The project is expected to be the first major US studio film to be shot in the country.

Other cast members include Eric Nam, who starred as Korean-American surgical resident Jonah Yoon in the Hollywood film Transplant released in 2024.

Director Benson Lee, known for the 3D dance film Battle of the Year, will lead the project. Eileen Shim, a screenwriter and member of the writing staff on the HBO series House of the Dragon, will write its screenplay.

Brian Oh, senior vice president of production at Paramount Pictures, will oversee the project. James Shin, president of film and television at HYBE America, is also on board as a producer.

Shin said the film will highlight the dedication, artistry and global appeal of K-pop, while exploring the universal theme of pursuing one’s dreams in the face of adversity.

HYBE has built its presence in the US film production market through the acquisition of Ithaca Holdings, a US-based media company, in 2021.

Write to Ju-Hyun Lee at deep@hankyung.com

Yeonhee Kim edited this article.