South Korean filmmaker Kim Hong-sun is set to direct "The Hit List", a historical martial arts action thriller set in 15th-century Korea during the Joseon dynasty. South Korean sales company Finecut has joined the project to handle its international distribution.
According to Screen Daily, the film features a strong cast led by Jung Woo-sung, known for his performance in "12.12: The Day", "Hunt", and most recently in director Woo Min-ho's two-part series "Made in Korea". The actor will play Han Myeong-hoe, a ruthless and power-hungry historical figure.
Wi Ha-jun, who rose to international fame through Netflix's "Squid Game", plays Grand Prince Suyang, who plots to seize the throne from his young nephew with Han's support.
Based on a hugely popular Kakao webtoon that has attracted more than 120 million views, the story follows Jang Gil-do, a feared warrior and Han's trusted right-hand man. It also centres on Baek E-hwa, a woman who loses everything because of Han's actions and transforms herself into a symbol of revenge. Their paths collide in a violent story of power, betrayal and vengeance.
Filming began in October 2026. The project also reunites Kim with key members of his international crew from the third season of British crime drama "Gangs of London". The team includes cinematographer Lars Cox, whose credits include "House of the Dragon", and lighting specialist Kieran Waites, who worked on "The Odyssey".
The film is being co-produced by Cheum Film, Studio Take, Library Company and B&C Group, with Mascot Company presenting the project.
Kim has built a reputation for directing intense action, crime and horror stories across film and television. His major films include "Traffickers" (2012), which earned him the Best New Director award at the Blue Dragon Film Awards, and "Project Wolf Hunting" (2022). The latter premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and received recognition at international genre film festivals, helping introduce his work to audiences worldwide.
On television, Kim is best known for directing the first season of the crime thriller "Voice" (2017), which became a successful multi-season franchise. He also directed the horror series "The Guest" (2018) and Netflix's "Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area" (2022).
His work on these projects, particularly their large-scale action sequences and dark visual style, helped him expand his career internationally. Directing the third season of "Gangs of London" further strengthened his presence in the global entertainment industry.
