South Korean period thriller “The Night Owl” directed by Ahn Tae-jin is set to undergo a remake in China, announced the movie’s Korean distributor NEW on Tuesday.
NEW disclosed that they have sealed a copyright agreement for a Chinese adaptation of “The Night Owl” at a groundbreaking price. The deal involves a prominent Chinese entertainment company, although NEW has chosen not to disclose the name of the company involved.
Originally released in November 2022, “The Night Owl” dominated the South Korean box office for several weeks, attracting over 30 million viewers despite its release during a traditionally slower period. The film also garnered attention on the international film festival circuit, including an appearance at the Sitges International Film Festival in Spain.
Korean to Chinese Remakes: The Perfect way to get Blockbuster Hits
Given the track record of Korean film remakes in China, with previous successes like the 2018 rom-com “On Your Wedding Day” being adapted into “My Love” (2021) and grossing 150 billion won ($110.7 million), expectations are high for the Chinese rendition of “The Night Owl” to follow suit and make a significant impact at the Chinese box office.
NEW emphasized their intention to capitalize on the film’s intellectual property and generate additional profits if the Chinese remake attains success at the box office.
Set in the Joseon era, the movie follows the story of a day-blind acupuncturist named Kyeong-soo (portrayed by Ryu Jun-yeol), who inadvertently becomes a witness to the death of the crown prince. Yoo Hae-jin portrays the king, who enlists Kyeong-soo’s help in uncovering the truth behind his son’s demise.
