Upcoming HYBE America K-Pop Movie to Star ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’ Actress Ji-Young Yoo and Singer Eric Nam

HYBE America Announces Lead Cast for Upcoming K-Pop Feature Film

On Wednesday, HYBE America revealed that actress Ji-Young Yoo, celebrated for her role as Zoey in Netflix’s hit animated series, K-Pop Demon Hunters, and Korean-American singer-songwriter Eric Nam will star in the lead roles of their forthcoming K-pop feature film, produced in collaboration with Paramount Pictures.

Plot Overview

This exciting English-language film will explore the journey of a Korean-American teenager who covertly enters a high-stakes televised survival competition, all in pursuit of joining the next iconic global girl group, much to the dismay of her family. The producers promise a captivating blend of coming-of-age themes intertwined with the intense environment of idol training.

Production Details

Shooting for this innovative project is set to commence in mid-September and will take place entirely in South Korea. This marks a significant milestone, as it will be the first time a major American studio has chosen to shoot an entire film within the country’s borders.

Creative Team

The film will be helmed by Korean-American filmmaker Benson Lee, known for his work on Seoul Searching, who expressed that the movie will serve as “a love letter to K-pop—its energy, passion, and community.”He also extended gratitude to Paramount for their support and to the cast for their commitment to bringing the story to life.

Production Team and Partnerships

James Shin, the president of film and television at HYBE America, will serve as a producer alongside Arthur Spector and Joshua Davis from Epic Magazine, as well as HYBE board member Scooter Braun. Paramount executive Bryan Oh will supervise the project for the studio.

Cast Highlights

At just 25 years old, Yoo has made a name for herself through notable performances in Prime Video’s Expats and the Tribeca award-winning film Smoking Tigers. Her role in K-Pop Demon Hunters catapulted her to widespread fame, as the film held the top spot on Netflix’s global charts this spring.

Reflecting on the casting announcement on social media, Yoo expressed, “If 15-year-old me could see me now…I will try my best.”Meanwhile, Nam, 36, a former host of After School Club and a consistent presence on Billboard’s World Albums chart, described the film as “for the dreamers, ”as he eagerly anticipates his first major studio role.

Industry Impact

The film signifies a strategic move by HYBE into the Hollywood arena, following its successful concert documentaries for groups like BTS and Tomorrow X Together. It aligns with Paramount’s pursuit to attract Asian audiences, building on the success of films such as Crazy Rich Asians and Top Gun: Maverick. According to Shin, this partnership showcases the dedication and artistry inherent in K-pop, while telling a universally relatable story about the pursuit of dreams against all odds.

As pre-production gears up in Seoul, further casting announcements and soundtrack details are expected to be unveiled later this year.