Hong Wonchan Preparing Crime Drama GANGSTER 

Hong Wonchan is the latest filmmaker eyeing a transition to the small screen. The DELIVER US FROM EVIL (2020) director is planning the helm the crime drama Gangster (literal title)

Set in the turbulent criminal underworld of the 1960s, when rising criminal organizations were vying for influence in the aftermath of the Korean War, Gangster will follow the rise and fall and friendships and betrayals of young mobsters. Though broadcasting has yet to be finalized, the series is expected to go into production early next year.

Just in the last month, hit filmmakers such as Hwang Donghyuk (Squid Game), Yeon Sangho (Hellbound) and Hur Jinho (Lost) have all presented their debut drama series as filmmakers are increasingly embracing the small screen format. Other major filmmakers such as Kim Jeewoon and Lee Joonik are also preparing their first drama series.

Director Hong debuted with the thriller Office, which premiered in the Director’s Fortnight sidebar of the Cannes Film Festival in 2014. He went on to make the action noir DELIVER US FROM EVIL with Hwang Jungmin and Lee Jungjae, which was the most successful film at the Korean box office in 2020, with close to five million viewers. Prior to his own films, Hong worked on the scripts of the Na Hongjin films The Chaser (2008) and The Yellow Sea (2012).