“Supporting Korean Films with Fresh Perspectives through Production Support”

On October 29, Korean Film Council (KOFIC) Chairperson Han Sang-jun visited the set of Salgi Joeun Jip (working title; produced by Barunson E&A) in Daejeon and held a meeting with the production team and cast. The film was selected for the 2026 Supplementary Budget Mid-Budget Korean Film Production Support Program.

KOFIC has run the Mid-Budget Korean Film Production Support Program since 2025. The program aims to restore the Korean film ecosystem, which has struggled with a prolonged investment slump since COVID-19. It also aims to attract private investment by encouraging new productions of projects with fresh creative concepts. Salgi Joeun Jip, a 2026 Supplementary Budget Mid-Budget Korean Film Production Support Program selection, is an occult drama that combines the realistic subject of real estate with elements of mystery. Director Um Tae-hwa graduated from the 28th class of the regular program at the Korean Academy of Film Arts (KAFA). He has directed Ingtoogi: The Battle of Internet Trolls, Vanishing Time: A Boy Who Returned and Concrete Utopia, among others.

The visit was arranged to review the status of mid-budget Korean film productions and to hear from people working on set. KOFIC has previously visited the sets of mid-budget production support films and spoken with their production teams. These include Final Interview, which opens on November 4, as well as Ripple (working title), The Gardeners and The Taste of Prison. After touring the set, Chairperson Han met with director Um Tae-hwa, actors Hwang Jung-min and Hong Xa-bin, and the production team to discuss the film’s production process.

“I look forward to this new attempt to combine the realistic subject of real estate with mystery,” said Chairperson Han Sang-jun. “We will continue the Mid-Budget Korean Film Production Support Program to support the production of diverse films and contribute to revitalizing the film industry.”

Meanwhile, in 2026 KOFIC selected and supported 32 mid-budget Korean films with a total of KRW 46 billion, including KRW 26 billion from the supplementary budget. In 2027, KOFIC plans to strengthen the foundation for Korean film production by pursuing approximately KRW 24.9 billion in support.