| Native Title | 살생부 |
| Also Know as | The Kill List, Death Ledger, Salsaengbu, Sal Saeng Bu |
| Director | Kim Hong-Sun |
| Writer | Kim Hong-Sun |
| Content Rating | Not Yet Rated |
| Genre | Action, Historical, Political, War, Military |
| Language | Korean |
| Country | South Korea |
The upcoming Korean film "Salsaengbu" is generating significant excitement as a hard-boiled action historical movie set to bring intense Joseon-era revenge and political drama to the screen.
"Salsaengbu" (native title: "살생부," also known as "The Kill List") is based on the webtoon of the same name by Kim Jong-hoon. The story is set during the Gyeyu Purge (also known as the Gyeyu Coup), a historical power struggle in the Joseon Dynasty. It follows a young woman who loses everything in the bloody purge and embarks on a path of vengeance against the man behind the infamous "kill list" – a document that decided the fate of countless officials. Directed and written by Kim Hong-sun, the film aims to deliver high-stakes action with a unique international perspective through its cinematography and lighting team.
During the Gyeyu Purge led by Grand Prince Suyang, Han Myeong-hoe creates a "kill list" (Salsaengbu) to eliminate political enemies by categorizing officials based on their actions and loyalty. The narrative centers on Lee Hwa, a girl who loses her family in the purge and transforms into a vengeful assassin known as a "night demon." She targets Han Myeong-hoe and joins the secret organization Hwajeopmong, formed specifically to assassinate those responsible for the rebellion. The film explores themes of revenge, political conspiracy, power struggles, and moral ambiguity in a turbulent era.
Casting is still underway for the lead role of Lee Hwa and the five female members of the Hwajeopmong assassin group.
As the film is currently in pre-production and has not yet been released, there is no audience or critical reception available. However, the strong casting announcements and ambitious international production elements have created considerable anticipation among fans of historical action films.
The project features an international crew, including cinematographer Michael Carstensen (known for "The Dark Tower" and "The Witcher") and lighting director Kieran Whyte (known for "The King's Man" and "The Marvels").
It is described as an "unprecedented global action-historical project" for a Korean period drama, with active discussions for worldwide distribution, including North America.
Filming is expected to begin within the year after finalizing the full cast in the first half of 2026.
The story draws directly from real historical events surrounding the rise of Grand Prince Suyang and the political maneuvers of Han Myeong-hoe.
"Salsaengbu" looks poised to deliver a gripping blend of visceral action, rich historical context, and emotional revenge drama. With talented leads like Jung Woo-sung and Jung Sung-ll, combined with director Kim Hong-sun's expertise in high-octane sequences, the film has strong potential to stand out in the Korean historical action genre. Fans of intense power struggles and assassin stories will likely find much to look forward to.
"Salsaengbu" is still in pre-production with no confirmed release date yet.
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