After KBS drama "Twelve" wrapped with ratings hovering around 2%, Don Lee is aiming for a big-screen rebound.
ABO Entertainment, financier-distributor of "The Roundup" franchise, announced via press release that its next titles―"Pig Village" and "The Roundup 5"―are drawing strong interest both in Korea and overseas. Lee stars in and produces both projects.
According to ABO Entertainment, "Pig Village" and "The Roundup 5" will kick off global pre-sales at the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM), which opens Saturday, Sept. 20.
Marking its 20th edition this year, ACFM is Asia’s largest content business platform, with more than 2,700 industry attendees from over 1,000 companies across 52 countries registered. ABO Entertainment will showcase its key slate there from Sept. 20?23.
Set along the U.S.-Mexico border, "Pig Village" is produced by and stars Don Lee, with Lee Sang-yong―who helmed "The Roundup 2" and "The Roundup 3"―directing. The cast also includes Michael Rooker ("Guardians of the Galaxy"), Colin Woodell ("Pulse"), Lisette Olivera, and Ali Ahn, boosting its global appeal. Notably, it’s a fully Korea-produced Hollywood film, a point expected to catch foreign buyers’ attention. "Pig Village" is co-financed and co-distributed by ABO Entertainment and Plus M Entertainment.
Pre-sales buzz is also building for the next installment in "The Roundup" series, "The Roundup 5", with outlets like ScreenDaily already picking up the news―underscoring the franchise’s reach as Korea’s flagship action juggernaut.
"The Roundup" films have surpassed 40 million admissions in Korea, with three consecutive entries topping 10 million admissions. "The Roundup: Punishment" (the fourth film) pre-sold to 164 territories, including North America, setting strong expectations for "The Roundup 5". The fifth installment is targeting a 2027 release and is slated to begin filming next year.
Following the poorly received "Twelve", Lee is betting that his reliably crowd-pleasing Roundup franchise―and the new, internationally minded "Pig Village"―will power a fresh box-office surge.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)