What is K.O. Club about and who is in the cast?

K.O. Club is set in a future where youth can be bought and centers on a clash between wealthy people who keep power and a younger generation that starts without opportunities. Firstman Studio said the cast includes Lee Byung-hun, Oh Jung-se, Park Hae-soo, Cho Yeo-jeong and Kim So-jin.

Why is Hwang Dong-hyuk’s return to film getting attention?

K.O. Club will be Hwang Dong-hyuk’s first film in 10 years. The article says he previously directed The Fortress, Miss Granny and Silenced, and later made history with Squid Game as the first person to win the Primetime Emmy Award for outstanding directing for a non-English-language series.

When will K.O. Club start filming?

Firstman Studio said K.O. Club is scheduled to begin filming in the first half of 2027. The company announced the project on Thursday and said the film is now in the works.

'Squid Game' director returns with 'K.O. Club,' his first film in 10 years

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Summary

Hwang Dong-hyuk is returning to the big screen with K.O. Club, his first film in 10 years. Firstman Studio said Thursday that the film is in production and cast Lee Byung-hun, Oh Jung-se, Park Hae-soo, Cho Yeo-jeong and Kim So-jin. The film is set in a future where youth can be bought and focuses on conflict between wealthy elites and a younger generation denied opportunities. Filming is scheduled to begin in the first half of 2027.

Key Facts

K.O. Club is short for Killing Oldmen Club.
Hwang Dong-hyuk previously directed The Fortress, Miss Granny and Silenced.
Hwang became the first person to win the Primetime Emmy Award for outstanding directing for a non-English-language series with Squid Game.
Lee Byung-hun will reunite with Hwang on the film, along with Oh Jung-se, Park Hae-soo, Cho Yeo-jeong and Kim So-jin.

By Hankookilbo

Published Aug 28, 2026 8:16 pm KST

Director Hwang Dong-hyuk returns to the big screen with “K.O. Club.” Yonhap

“Squid Game” director Hwang Dong-hyuk is set to return to the big screen after 10 years.

Production company Firstman Studio announced Thursday that “K.O. Club” was in the works and unveiled a cast lineup that includes Lee Byung-hun and Oh Jung-se.

Short for “Killing Oldmen Club,” the film is set in a future where even youth can be bought. It centers on the conflict between the privileged few who wield wealth and power and refuse to step aside, and a younger generation deprived of opportunities from the outset.

Hwang previously directed “The Fortress,” “Miss Granny” and “Silenced.” He also made history with the Netflix megahit “Squid Game,” becoming the first person to win the Primetime Emmy Award for outstanding directing for a non-English-language series.

“Squid Game” is Netflix’s most popular series of all time across its English- and non-English-language titles. Attention is now turning to what Hwang, now one of the biggest names in global entertainment, will bring to his return to the big screen.

The cast is equally notable. Lee, who worked with Hwang on “Squid Game,” will reunite with the director, along with Oh, Park Hae-soo, Cho Yeo-jeong and Kim So-jin. Expectations are high for what the acclaimed cast and Hwang will create together.

“K.O. Club” is scheduled to begin filming in the first half of 2027.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.

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