“Running Man: Revengers” is the next Sidus Animation movie
Last year, Korean animation studio Locus made a big name for itself with their CG animated feature. Red shoes and the seven dwarfs which has been distributed all over the world. Directed by Sungho Hong and co-directed by Moo-Hyun Jang and Young Sik Uhm, Red shoes and the seven dwarfs , albeit with numerous criticisms, it has offered a new interpretation of the classic fairy tale of Snow White. This month, the studio unveils a new production of its own at the American Film Market. Entitled Running Man: Revengers, this family film is written and directed by Young Sik Uhm, and produced by Sujin Hwang and Sungpil Choi.
Locus Corporation was founded in 2009 by James Hyungsoon Kim and Sungho Hong and has quickly become one of Korea's largest animation content producers. With offices in Seoul and Shanghai, Locus is also the parent company of Sidus, which has produced over 80 live-action films, including some of Korea's most influential and internationally acclaimed films, including At Dirty Carnival (A dirty carnival). The main feature of Bong Jun-Ho, Memories of Murder and the original Netflix Time to Hunt. Sidus Animation Studios, Locus's animation division, currently has a staff of 50, with Locus' CGI and VFX computer graphics animation divisions bringing the company's total staff to 200.
The studio has a new slate of animated films currently in production, including Running Man: Revengers, Toemarok (provisional title) e Yumi's Cells. As CEO James Hyungsoon Kim explains, “The Reinvented Studies Business Plan takes a three-pronged approach: building on the success of Red shoes and the seven dwarfs producing high-quality family animated films, expanding the Korean animation industry with teen and adult animations based on renowned IP books and webtoons, and an additional revenue base of series for preschoolers and children backed by a lively character licensing activity “.
One belt to rule them all
Running Man: Revengers is a feature film based on the hit variety show that premiered on SBS in 2010. The property was adapted into an animated TV series in 2017, produced by Sidus Animation Studios, SBS and Line Friends, and ran for two seasons. The film's plot begins the day before the Running Man competition. An Internet broadcaster called “Pangpang” tells audiences about a legendary belt that can give the wearer world sovereignty. As each player searches for this magical belt, their friendship begins to crack. Meanwhile, Pangpang has set up a series of challenges on her own!
ToemarokSidus Animation is also in production for Toemarok, an animated television adaptation (13 x 25 minute episode series) of the best-selling Korean fantasy novels of the same name. Literally translated as "the records of casting out evil spirits", Toemarok follows four heroes who possess special occult powers based on religion, myth and legend, for a unique blend of superhero and occult thriller genres.
Even in production it is Yumi's Cells, an animated feature film based on the popular webtoon with over 3.000.000.000 views. Created by Donggun Lee, Yumi's Cells it centers on an ordinary young woman who is trying to find her way in life. Yumi's Cells is co-produced with Studio N, a subsidiary of Naver. Both Toemarok e Yumi's Cells try to bring animation to an older audience (15+ and YA + respectively).
According to the founders of the studio, Red shoes and the seven dwarfs was produced over several years using all the combined know-how of the studio. The project was the first animated film of its quality and scale to be produced entirely in Korea. Sungho Hong observes: “Although Red shoes and the seven dwarfs It was Sidus Animation Studios' first project, its high quality and valuable message are gaining worldwide acclaim, including its recent North American release via Lionsgate. We were delighted to see Red shoes and the seven dwarfs he was greeted with a warm welcome from audiences around the world and I am particularly pleased to see that many have found value in his message and in relation to it. We strive to continue to produce high quality animated movies and TV shows that are heartwarming and fun. "
Running Man: Revengers is scheduled for delivery by the end of 2020, with a screener available for distributors at AFM.
For more information on the film and the studio's other development and production projects, visit sidusanimation.com.
