Ji-young Yoo and Eric Nam to Star in First Hollywood K-Pop Movie Shot Entirely in South Korea
HYBE America and Paramount Pictures announce groundbreaking collaboration with February 2027 release date
HYBE America has partnered with Paramount Pictures to produce an untitled K-pop film starring Ji-young Yoo and Eric Nam, set to make history as the first major American studio movie filmed entirely in South Korea.
Ji-young Yoo, who recently made waves voicing Zoey in Netflix's record-breaking animated hit "KPop Demon Hunters," will play the lead role of a Korean-American teenager pursuing K-pop stardom against her family's wishes. The Netflix film achieved an unprecedented milestone by reaching its highest viewership in its fifth week of release-something no other Netflix movie has ever accomplished.
The 25-year-old actress has built impressive momentum through her role in Amazon Prime's "Expats" alongside Nicole Kidman and her Tribeca Festival-winning performance in "Smoking Tigers."
Korean-American singer-songwriter Eric Nam, known for hosting "After School Club" and recent acting in "Transplant," joins as co-lead. Nam was named a 2023 TIME100 Impact Award Honoree and GQ Korea's Man of the Year, and will also voice Aang in Paramount's upcoming "The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender."
The project has been in development since 2020 and was originally set up at 20th Century Studios before being acquired by Paramount from Disney. Director Benson Lee, who helmed the acclaimed "Seoul Searching," will bring his Korean-American perspective to the film.
The story follows a young Korean-American woman who defies her family by competing in a televised competition to join the next K-pop girl group-a premise that explores themes of cultural identity and pursuing dreams against expectations.
Filming is scheduled to begin in mid-September 2025, with the entire production taking place in South Korea. The film will be released in theaters on February 12, 2027, strategically positioned during the Presidents Day/Valentine's Day weekend.
Key Production Team:
- Director: Benson Lee ("Seoul Searching")
- Screenplay: Eileen Shim (latest draft), with previous work by Adele Lim ("Crazy Rich Asians")
- Producers: James Shin (HYBE America), Scooter Braun, Arthur Spector and Joshua Davis (Epic Magazine)
This marks a significant milestone as the first major American studio film shot entirely in South Korea, reflecting the growing global influence of Korean entertainment following the success of projects like "Parasite," "Squid Game," and the ongoing Hallyu wave.
"This film is my love letter to K-pop-its energy, passion, magic, and the incredible community behind it," Lee said. "This one's for the dreamers."
The collaboration represents HYBE's ambitious push into Hollywood filmmaking, building on their success with BTS and other K-pop acts. James Shin, president of film and television at HYBE America, emphasized 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."
With major Hollywood backing and authentic Korean production, this film could become a watershed moment for K-pop's mainstream acceptance in Western markets. The timing capitalizes on the genre's unprecedented global success and the proven box office appeal of Korean content.
The untitled K-pop film represents more than entertainment-it's a cultural bridge that could define how Korean stories are told on the global stage for years to come.
The HYBE America and Paramount Pictures collaboration is set for theatrical release on February 12, 2027.
