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| Kwak Sin-ae, CEO of Barunson E&A, which produced "Parasite" (2019) / Korea Times file |
By Kwak Yeon-soo
Barunson E&A, the production company of "Parasite," vowed to diversify its business portfolio by clinching deals with renowned directors and expanding into other business fields, in particular, producing and financing TV series that have become profitable due to a wider international audience.
The company announced on Tuesday that it will collaborate with director Bong Joon-ho on his two additional Korean films. It previously produced Bong's films, including "Mother" (2009) and "Parasite" (2019).
The "Parasite" producer also signed with director Kim Seong-hun, known for "Tunnel" (2016) "A Hard Day" (2014) as well as the Netflix series, "Kingdom," (2019) to make content for OTT platforms.
It also signed film projects with renowned directors Lee Yong-ju ― director of sci-fi blockbuster "Seobok" (2020) and romance film "Architecture 101" (2012) ― and Um Tae-hwa, who is known for directing "Vanishing Time: A Boy Who Returned" (2017). Um's upcoming project is "Concrete Utopia," a disaster movie starring Park Seo-joon, Park Bo-young and Lee Byung-hun.
"We plan to develop a broad range of theatrical films and support new creative voices," the company said in a statement.
In addition to producing films, Barunson E&A is investing big in TV content by recruiting "Descendants of the Sun" (2016) producer Seo Woo-sik and signing with screenwriters.
It recently signed with Baek Mi-kyung, a scriptwriter who recently created a lot of buzz this year with tvN's "Mine." She also penned JTBC's "Strong Woman Do Bong-soon," (2017) a rare drama that defies gender role stereotypes and "The Lady in Dignity," (2017) which depicts stories that satire chaebol families.
Writer Jo Hyun-kyung, who most recently created MBC's "When I Was Most Beautiful," (2020) will also cooperate with Barunson E&A on her new project.
To ride on the rocketing popularity of Korean content, the company is eyeing overseas joint film and drama projects. Along with discovering creative talent in the industry, including filmmakers, actors and crew, it aims to share its expertise and knowledge, gained through producing and distributing "Parasite" around the world.
In addition, the film production company acquired CU Media Group, a video content production company for documentaries and broadcasting, as a move to grow into a comprehensive TV and film production company.
"We will roll out a flexible partnership system that can provide the basis for work in the fields of planning, investment, production and distribution of both Korean and overseas films," it said.
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