“Victory,” an inspirational drama about cheerleading, has been in widespread pre-sales ahead of its commercial release in South Korea.
Directed by Park Bum-soo, known for “Single in Seoul” and “Red Carpet,” the film revolves around a high school dance duo who inspire people in their village with their honest cheerleading performances, and an underdog high school soccer team on a remote island.
The film has been acquired by 815 Pictures in North America, Sky Films Entertainment in Taiwan, Lumix Media in Vietnam, PT Prima Cinema Multimedia in Indonesia, House of M in Thailand, Emphasis Video Entertainment for in-flight distribution, and Westec Media Limited in Cambodia. Seoul-based sales agency Finecut handled all rights deals.
The film had its world premiere at the New York Asian Film Festival. It is scheduled to be released commercially in Korea on August 14. It will then open in theaters shortly after in North America and Vietnam on August 16. It will then open in Indonesia, Taiwan, Cambodia, and Thailand in late August through September.
“Victory” stars Lee Hye-ri, known for her roles in “My Punch Drunk Boxer” and the TV series “Reply 1998,” and Park Si-wan, known for his roles in “Life Is Beautiful” and “6/45,” as the dancing duo.
Cho A-ram of TV series “Thank You” and “Doctor Cha” plays a former member of a cheerleading squad in Seoul who moves to the village, while Lee Jung-ha, known for Disney+ series “Moving,” plays the goalkeeper of the school soccer team who always loses.
The new film is produced by South Korean company Annapurna Films, headed by Lee Anna, the producer behind box office hits including “Sunny” and “Scandal Makers,” and presented by Mindmark, a cultural content IP company under Shinsegae Group. Mindmark has been involved as a Korean financier and distributor of Korean films including “Brave Citizen,” “Love Reset” and “Honey Sweet.” Its slate also includes “A Normal Family” and director Hur Jin-ho’s “Boss.”
