What’s up next after 12.12: The Day for Hive Media Corp.?

Blasting of New releases

The unstoppable progress of Hive Media Corp., the production company that brought the heyday to the sluggish South Korean box office, continues. According to the Korean Film Council, in December 2023, Korean films achieved ‘the second-highest December box office revenue and audience numbers’ since the implementation of the KOBIS (KOREA Box-office Information System) in 2004. The undeniable driving force behind this success was 12.12: The Day. Hive Media Corp., the creator of this work, is now unveiling a series of follow-ups that will continue the momentum set by the film.

Five films on screens in 2024

In 2024, Hive Media Corp. is gearing up to release five films in theaters. The lineup includes Heaven: To the Land of Happiness, starring Choi Min-sik and Park Hae-il, followed by Handsome Guys featuring Lee Sung-min and Lee Hee-joon. Additionally, a remake of the Taiwanese film with the same title, Secret and A Normal Family directed by Huh Jin-ho are part of the offerings. Adding to the lineup is a new film by director Woo Min-ho, Harbin, which delves into the life of Patriotic Martyr Ahn Jung-geun in Harbin. These films are all set to captivate audience on the big screen.

News of the first photography for this year also has emerged. Hive Media Corp. and Plus M Entertainment confirmed, “the film Tropical Night has finalized its cast, including Woo Do-hwan, Jang Dong-gun and Lee Hye-ri, and commenced filming on January 25^th in Bangkok, Thailand." The film Tropical Night is scheduled to be completed through location shooting in Bangkok over the next three to four months. It is a gritty action movie depicting the 24 hours of those who throw themselves into surviving amidst Thailand's largest drug organization. Directed by Kim Pan-soo, with adaptation involvement from director Woo Min-ho, known for Inside Men and The Man Standing Next.

The news recalls the film Deliver Us from Evil which is released in the summer of 2020, during the first year of the pandemic, drawing in an audience of 4.35 million to theaters. This movie marks the reunion of Hwang Jung-min and Lee Jung-jae, known as the ‘Brother’ duo from the film New World, after seven years. This film was also produced by Hive Media Corp.. The film was shot in Bangkok, Thailand, for about 80 percent of its duration.

Marks the 10^th anniversary… will work across various genres.

As Hive Media Corp. celebrates its 10^th anniversary this year, there are industry predictions suggesting a push towards an Initial Public Offering (IPO). The company embarked on a substantial fundraising effort last year, attracting investments amounting to tens of billions of won. With the success of 12.12: The Day which could be termed a 'blockbuster,' the company has gained a favorable momentum for expanding its investment attraction.

The production company has demonstrated strength from distinctive identity. Starting with their founding work, Inside Men and continuing through productions like The Last Princess, Forbidden Dream, The Man Standing Next and up to the upcoming summer release Harbin, Hive Media Corp. has been channeling its efforts into the production of period dramas and historical pieces.

Many historical pieces are in preparation for the future as well. They are working on Assassins which delves into the assassination of First Lady of South Korea Yuk Young-soo, and K-Operation Plan based on the media suppression events during the Chun Doo-hwan regime. Additionally, there are reports of a film titled YS Project depicting the dismantling process of the 'Hanahoe(Group of One)’, secret military club featured in the movie 12.12: The Day and separate scripts being written for Battle of Lake Changjin set during the Korean War.

In addition to films, the company is also expanding its focus to the realm of dramas and TV animations. They are in the process of preparing an OTT series as a prequel to the film Inside Men. They are also producing a spin-off drama titled Made in Korea based on the movie The Drug King, the drama Yahoo adapted from the work of author Yoon Tae-ho, and a new drama Kind Man by Kim Woon-kyeong, the writer of The moon of Seoul. Furthermore, they are working on a TV series animation titled Silver Town Heroes.

Kim Won-guk, the CEO of the company, expresses a commitment to creating works that provide satisfaction to the audience. He emphasizes the effort to build a well-structured system for item pickup, planning, production, and the overall process. His attitude reminds us that the power to bring heydays back to the Korean film industry lies in quality content.

Written by Jung Sun-young

Translation by Jang Yuri