Last Year's Top Distributor 'Plus M Entertainment'
'The Outlaws 3' and 'Spring in Seoul' Draw 23 Million Viewers
Jeon Do-yeon Stars in 'Revolver' Submitted to Cannes Film Festival
Kim Yujin, Content Manager at Plus M Entertainment (left), Actor Ma Dong-seok [Photo by Plus M Entertainment, Yonhap News]
Plus M Entertainment, which shone as the top investment and distribution company last year, is producing a 100% English-language film titled 'Dwaejigol' starring actor Ma Dong-seok.
Kim Yoo-jin, the content manager overseeing all content at Plus M Entertainment (hereafter Plus M), revealed this in a video and written interview on the 12th, expressing confidence by calling it a "project aimed at the global market."
Plus M released eight films last year. Among them, 'The Outlaws 3' and 'Spring in Seoul' attracted over 23 million viewers. 'Hwaran,' directed by rookie director Kim Chang-hoon, had the honor of being invited to the 76th Cannes Film Festival. Kim, the content manager, expressed sincere gratitude to the audiences, artists, and partner production companies who supported the films.
He explained, "Plus M Entertainment started as the investment and distribution division of the multiplex Megabox and has now become independent under its own brand. We work hard with the goal of creating movies that are easy and enjoyable for audiences to watch. While we mainly produce theatrical films, we are now expanding into series as well."
Building on last year's achievements, he expressed ambition to secure competitive projects this year. Kim said, "It is important to fully understand the characteristics of each project, properly organize the lineup, and strategize to present it to audiences in the best way at the right time. I believe in the absolute principle that good stories and well-made works will ultimately attract audiences."
He emphasized the importance of works that can exert influence not only in the domestic market but also in the global market. Kim said, "Although the domestic market has shrunk, production costs have actually increased, making it difficult to create content solely for the domestic market. On the other hand, the door to the global market is open. If we have competitiveness, I believe we can find a very good direction."
He added, "We are striving to raise the quality of all content to the highest level." A representative example aimed at the global market is director Na Hong-jin's 'Hope.' Kim said, "In terms of investment scale, it can be considered one of the largest in Korean film history." Following last year's 'Hwaran,' this year they submitted 'Revolver' (directed by Oh Seung-wook), starring Jeon Do-yeon, to the Cannes Film Festival. He said, "We are hoping for good news to arrive."
Plus M will release the film 'Escape' (directed by Lee Jong-pil) and 'Cross,' starring actors Hwang Jung-min and Yum Jung-ah, this year. In addition, 'The Law of Love in a Big City,' based on the novel by writer Park Sang-young, 'Opposition Party,' starring actors Kang Ha-neul, Yoo Hae-jin, and Park Hae-joon, and 'Bogota,' starring Song Joong-ki, are in the final stages of completion.
Kim said, "Releasing tentpole films is very important for an investment and distribution company," but added, "Besides big-budget tentpoles, if a work has solid content and high quality, we cannot help but be ambitious." He said, "We are also carefully reviewing mid- to low-budget projects to maintain balance. I hope these efforts will not only contribute to the development of Plus M Entertainment but also have a positive impact on the industry as a whole." He continued, "'Cabriolet,' the debut work of director Gwang-jin, writer of 'Itaewon Class,' and mid- to low-budget films like 'Baeksu Apartment,' which tackles the subject of noise between floors in a bright and cheerful way, are scheduled for theatrical release."
Plus M began series work with 'We Have Not Yet Done Our Best' (2022) and is developing 'Gangnam-Bi-Side,' starring Jo Woo-jin and Ji Chang-wook, 'Wolf Family,' 'Moderate Temperature,' 'Proof,' and 'Captain Grandma Omija.' They are determined to expand their domain from films to series. Kim said, "Audience content consumption patterns have changed, and the market has also shifted. Naturally, we must employ strategies suited to the current situation. We can also broaden our contact points with audiences through online video streaming services (OTT) and broadcasting platforms, not just theaters. Breaking away from fixed media and formats allows for freer storytelling."
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