Paramount, Hybe America’s K-Pop Movie Adds Nine to Cast, Including Korean Stars Sung Jun, Kang Sora and Hyongchol Lee (EXCLUSIVE)

Paramount Pictures and Hybe America have completed casting for their forthcoming K-pop musical drama, introducing nine new performers to the project. They will appear alongside the already-confirmed cast members Ji-young Yoo, Eric Nam, Yoo Ji-tae, Tony Revolori, and Gia Kim. The newly announced group features seasoned Korean actors like Sung Jun, known for "Ghost Mansion," Kang Sora from "Strangers Again," and Hyongchol Lee of "XO, Kitty."

Adding to the film's global flavor, the production has enlisted singer Ahin Lee, Mexican actress Renata Vaca, and 17-year-old Silia Kapsis, who gained international attention with her historic participation in Eurovision 2024. The final new additions are Aliyah Turner, Shana Kim, and Jubi Park. A significant milestone for the industry, this movie marks the first large-scale American studio film to be shot entirely on location in South Korea. Filming is currently in progress, with a worldwide release scheduled for February 12, 2027.

At the helm is director Benson Lee, celebrated for his 2015 film "Seoul Searching," which earned a dedicated following for its humorous exploration of Korean diaspora experiences. The story centers on a Korean American woman who enters a televised competition to form the next major K-pop girl group, against her family's objections. The final script was penned by Eileen Shim, who refined earlier drafts written by "Crazy Rich Asians" screenwriter Adele Lim, Elyse Hollander, and Lee.

Hybe America—the U.S. division of the South Korean entertainment conglomerate Hybe, which manages global phenomena like BTS and NewJeans—is producing the film under executive James Shin. He is collaborating with Arthur Spector and Joshua Davis from Epic Magazine, as well as influential music manager Scooter Braun. The project has been in development since 2020, originally based at 20th Century Studios before transitioning to Paramount. As one entertainment analyst observed, "This film represents a calculated effort by Hollywood to tap into the immense cultural and commercial influence of K-pop with genuine representation." The lengthy development phase, guided by former executive Michael Ireland, highlights the deliberate approach taken to realize this ambitious cross-cultural collaboration.