South Korean director Kim Hong-sun has begun production on a new martial arts action film titled 'The Hit List.' The project stars acclaimed actor Jung Woo-sung and Wi Ha-jun, who gained global recognition for his role in the Netflix series 'Squid Game.' The movie is set during the Joseon era and follows a story of revenge and political intrigue.
The narrative is adapted from a Kakao webtoon that has accumulated over 120 million views. The plot centers on Han Myeong-hoe, a powerful figure in the Joseon dynasty who rose to the top through a history of bloodshed. His primary antagonist is Baek E-hwa, a woman who loses everything to Han and subsequently dedicates her life to seeking vengeance.
Adding to the central conflict is Jang Gil-do, Han’s right-hand man, who is depicted as a formidable warrior in his own right. Jung Woo-sung takes on the role of Han. His filmography includes titles such as '12.12: The Day,' 'Hunt,' 'A Man of Reason,' and 'The Good, the Bad, the Weird.' Wi Ha-jun portrays Grand Prince Suyang, a character who relies on Han’s backing in his attempt to seize the throne from his young nephew.
Kim Hong-sun is known for directing 'Project Wolf Hunting' and the third season of the British crime series 'Gangs of London.' He has brought two key collaborators from the latter project to the set of 'The Hit List.' Lars Cox, who previously worked on HBO’s 'House of the Dragon' and Netflix’s 'The Witcher,' serves as the director of photography.
Also joining the production team is gaffer Kieran Waites. Waites has previous credits in Christopher Nolan’s 'The Odyssey' and the 'Fast & Furious' franchise. The inclusion of these international crew members highlights the film’s aim to blend local storytelling with global production techniques.
The project was unveiled by South Korean sales company Finecut. The company noted that the film combines Korean narrative elements with international expertise, particularly in the execution of large-scale action sequences and the creation of a detailed period world. This is the second collaboration between Finecut and Kim, following his earlier work on 'Project Wolf Hunting.'
Kim’s previous genre films include 'Traffickers' from 2012, 'The Con Artists' from 2014, 'The Chase' from 2017, and 'Metamorphosis' from 2019. His 2022 film 'Project Wolf Hunting' premiered in the Midnight section of the Toronto International Film Festival. It went on to screen at Sitges, Brussels, and other festivals, eventually finding distribution in more than 70 countries.
Following the success of 'Project Wolf Hunting,' Kim signed with the entertainment agency WME. The same agency represents prominent directors Park Chan-wook and Bong Joon Ho. The production of 'The Hit List' involves several key partners, including Cheum Film, Studio Take, Library Company, and B&C Group, while Mascot Company is presenting the project.
Filming for the movie commenced in October 2026. The project represents a significant international effort in the Korean action genre, leveraging the star power of its lead actors and the technical experience of its director and crew.
