Na Hong-jin's 'Hope' Pre-sold in Over 200 Countries, Setting New Record for Korean Films

Movie 'Hope' Poster [Provided by Plus M Entertainment. Resale and DB prohibited]

Director Na Hong-jin's new film 'Hope' has been pre-sold in over 200 countries, recouping approximately half of its net production cost early on.

Investment and distribution company Plus M Entertainment announced on the 29th that 'Hope' has set a new record for the highest overseas pre-sale price for a Korean film, confirming distribution in over 200 countries and regions. However, specific pre-sale amounts or net production costs were not disclosed.

'Hope,' which was invited to the competition section of the 79th Cannes Film Festival that concluded on the 23rd, is reported to have finalized contracts with all countries and regions with which it has partnerships regarding overseas sales of Korean films at the film market held during the festival.

Neon has already been confirmed as the partner for English-speaking regions including North America, with Movie handling distribution in Spain, Italy, Germany, and Switzerland. Focus Features and UPI France will be responsible for France and South Africa. Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions will manage distribution in the Middle East, Israel, and Iceland.

A Plus M Entertainment representative stated, "We anticipate exceeding expectations in revenue generation when domestic box office performance and ancillary rights sales are added after the release."

'Hope' is a story about what happens when an unidentified alien life form visits the village of 'Hopo Port' located in the demilitarized zone. The film stars Hwang Jung-min, Jo In-sung, and Jung Ho-yeon, with Hollywood actors Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, and Taylor Russell portraying alien characters.

The film is scheduled for release in South Korea this summer, followed by North America in September, and then sequentially meeting audiences worldwide.