Shadowless Sword, a big-budget swordplay fantasy by KIM Young-joon set in the tenth century, is expected to be released in over 60 territories across the world. The film is represented internationally by Hollywood-based New Line Cinema, which provided 30% of the financing in a deal with Korean production company Taewon Entertainment. According to Robert Remley, a senior vice president in charge of international marketing, New Line is also planning a large scale release in the North American market in 2006. The influence of New Line Cinema, which often signs output deals with foreign distributors for works such as the hit trilogy Lord of the Rings, is expected to help the film sell widely to other international markets. The film was shot in China, and was released in Korea on November 18. Set during the Balhae Dynasty in the tenth century, it tells the story of a female warrior who must return an exiled prince safely to his homeland so that he can assume the throne, as a group of highly skilled assassins attempt to kill him. The film stars YOON Soy (Arahan), LEE Seo-jin (TV drama Damo), SHIN Hyun-joon (Bichunmoo), and LEE Ki-yong. Director KIM Young-joon previously directed Bichunmoo in 2000, and he has stated that his experiences shooting that film in China enabled him to make significant technical improvements in his latest work.