Korean Remake of Taiwan’s ‘Hear Me’ Hit Romance Sells Strongly in Asia (EXCLUSIVE)

Patrick Frater

18 February 2024 at 1:04 am·2-min read

Production firm Movierock and rights sales outfit Hive Filmworks are in advanced production on “Hear Me: Our Summer,” a Korean remake of hit 2009 romance film “Hear Me” from Taiwan.

The story involves a motorbike delivery man who falls in love with a hearing-impaired younger woman. Comparing themselves with water birds and trees the pair slowly try to break through the barriers in their relationship, pursue their dreams and take things to the next level.

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The retread stars Hong Kyung, who has a recent string of appearances including Netflix’s “D.P,” “TV’s Revenant” and “Hero,” and the upcoming “Troll Factory.” Co-star Roh Yoon-seo has credits in “Crash Course in Romance” and “Our Blues” and is currently one of the most ubiquitous faces in Korea thanks to her position as the face of the Paris Baguette bakery and café chain.

Stylistically, the adaptation aims for the feel of Iwai Shunji’s pan-Asian hit “Love Letter,” and is directed by Jo Seon-ho, who previously made “A Day.” Movierock previously produced a 2018 Korean remake of 2004 Japanese hit “Be With You.”

The film is already being pre-sold to multiple territories in Asia. Rights in Southeast Asia, including Taiwan and Hong Kong are to be handled by Taiwan-based MovieCloud (aka GaragePlay). Rights for Japan have already been licensed to KDDI with a view to achieving a simultaneous Korea and Japan release in the second half of this year.

In the European Film Market, part of the Berlin Film Festival, Hive is also representing black comedy “Helpless,” about a struggling businessman who takes online revenge against a bully; and the 4k remastered version of “Lies.” The Jang Sun-woo-directed picture from 1999 is a sadomasochistic romance tale that played in competition at the Venice film festival and remains one of the most controversial titles ever made in Korea.

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