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Paramount Pictures and Hybe America have officially announced an upcoming untitled K-pop-themed feature film, with Ji-young Yoo and Eric Nam set to star. The film, directed by Seoul Searching’s Benson Lee, is scheduled for theatrical release on February 12, 2027. It will mark a historic milestone as the first major American studio movie shot entirely in South Korea.
At the heart of the story is a young Korean-American woman who defies her family’s expectations to pursue her dream of joining a K-pop girl group. Her journey unfolds through a televised competition, capturing the ambition, resilience, and cultural pressures at play in the high-stakes world of Korean pop music.
The script has gone through several iterations, with the latest draft penned by Eileen Shim. Earlier versions were written by acclaimed screenwriters Adele Lim (Crazy Rich Asians), Elyse Hollander, and Benson Lee. Speaking about the project, Lee described the film as “my love letter to K-pop, its energy, passion, magic, and the incredible community behind it,” expressing gratitude to Paramount and the film’s producers and cast. “This one’s for the dreamers,” he added.
The production team brings together major names in the industry. James Shin, president of Film/TV at Hybe America, is producing alongside Arthur Spector and Joshua Davis of Epic Magazine, and entertainment mogul Scooter Braun. Executive producers include Joshuah Bearman of Epic Magazine, John Zaozirny, and Scott Manson. Bryan Oh, SVP of Production, is overseeing the project for Paramount.
Michael Ireland, now president of Paramount Pictures Motion Picture Group, originally shepherded the project during its development at 20th Century Fox. After Disney acquired Fox, Ireland retrieved the project in a turnaround and brought it to Paramount under the leadership of Brian Robbins.
Commenting on the film’s broader cultural significance, Hybe’s Shin said, “We’re thrilled to partner with Paramount Pictures on this historic opportunity to bring this story to audiences worldwide. This film captures 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.”
Lead actress Ji-young Yoo has quickly become one of the most talked-about rising stars in Hollywood. She earned the Best Performance in a U.S. Narrative Feature at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival for Smoking Tigers and recently starred in Prime Video’s Expats, earning a Gotham TV Award nomination in 2024. Her 2025 projects include Freaky Tales, Until Dawn, and the animated feature KPop Demon Hunters, where she voices a lead character.
Eric Nam, who joins Yoo as co-lead, brings his star power from both the music and entertainment worlds. He was named a 2023 TIME100 Impact Award Honoree, GQ Korea’s Man of the Year, and a Forbes 30 Under 30 recipient. Nam recently made his acting debut in Transplant and will voice Aang in Paramount’s upcoming The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender. He also wrapped Season 4 of The Traitors on Peacock.
With a powerful cast, an award-winning creative team, and the backing of major players in the global entertainment industry, this untitled K-pop film is shaping up to be a cultural milestone, bridging East and West and celebrating the global phenomenon of K-pop on the silver screen.
