“The Hit List”: Kim Hong-sun Makes a Martial-Arts Film with Jung Woo-sung

TVS News AI, editorially supervised, presents “The Hit List”: Kim Hong-sun Makes a Martial-Arts Film with Jung Woo-sung.

A New Martial-Arts Film Is Being Made in Korea

The news initially sounds like a film concept built around big action: “The Hit List” is a martial-arts revenge film set in Joseon-era Korea. That is the specific direction Variety cites from the production details — not a modern action setting, but a historical location in Korea.

For cinephiles, this is an interesting indication of a film that combines genres. Martial-arts films thrive on physically precise fight scenes, but here the action component is combined with a revenge premise and the Joseon era. It is precisely this combination that makes the project appealing to fans of historical action.

The second source adds that production is already underway: Variety reports that Kim Hong-sun is filming the movie with Jung Woo-sung and Wi Ha-jun, who is described as a “Squid Game” star. This means more has been established than just a project title: the director, lead actors, genre, period and basis of the screenplay have at least been identified in the available reports.

Finecut Brings “The Hit List” to the International Market

The Korean sales company Finecut is handling international distribution. Deadline reports that Finecut has acquired the international rights to “The Hit List.” This means the film is not only being produced but is also intended for sale beyond its country of origin.

However, a German theatrical release has not yet been announced. The sources name neither a distributor nor a specific release date. Those hoping for a concrete release date should therefore wait for announcements from Finecut or the respective distributor.

The cast also shows that the project extends beyond Kim Hong-sun’s previous films. “Project Wolf Hunting” and “Gangs of London” are cited in the reports as the director’s previous works. “The Hit List” brings in two other prominent Korean actors, Jung Woo-sung and Wi Ha-jun.

Kim Hong-sun Reunites with Familiar Crew Members

Another exciting element is the recurring collaboration. Deadline says Kim Hong-sun is once again working with members of his “Gangs of London” crew on “The Hit List.” Those named are cinematographer Lars Cox and gaffer Kieran Waites.

Neither is unknown: Lars Cox is described in the report as the cinematographer of “House of the Dragon,” while Kieran Waites is identified as the gaffer of “The Odyssey.” The gaffer is responsible for the production’s lighting. The connection with Cox and Waites contributes to the film’s visual design — at least, the crew composition suggests that the familiar faces from “Gangs of London” will help shape the new project’s cinematic language.

The current reports provide no details about the story itself. Variety describes the film as a martial-arts revenge film and an adaptation of a Kakao webtoon. The source summary hints that the webtoon has already attracted considerable attention, but no specific figure is given.

What the Sources Establish — and What Is Still Missing

The facts can be summarized quickly: Kim Hong-sun is directing “The Hit List,” the film is set in Korea’s Joseon era and based on a Kakao webtoon. The lead cast includes Jung Woo-sung and Wi Ha-jun. Finecut has acquired the international rights, while some crew members from “Gangs of London” are returning.

The two reports leave several questions unanswered, including the exact release date, the roles of the two actors, the plot and the division of rights in individual markets. Anyone keeping an eye on “The Hit List” can therefore wait for an international announcement: Deadline reports on Finecut’s acquisition of the international rights and Variety covers the ongoing filming and the cast.

Your Look at the New Korean Action Film

“The Hit List” sounds like a project that combines a historical setting with modern martial-arts action — and a director who has already worked on “Gangs of London.” Its success now depends on whether the Kakao webtoon adaptation results in a self-contained, gripping film story. For now, the certainties are a concrete production plan, a notable cast and a distributor with an international focus. A German release date is still pending.