‘Descendants of the Sun’ heads to Indonesia as 2027 film remake

The hit Korean drama "Descendants of the Sun" (2016) is being remade as an Indonesian feature film set for release in 2027, with the Korean studio participating in the production.

The film, tentatively titled "Descendants of the Sun Indonesia," has finished shooting and is now in postproduction, the drama and movie production company Studio & NEW said Monday.

NEW, the company behind the production of the 2016 Korean drama is not only licensing the remake rights to the Indonesian firm but is also involved in planning and producing the remake. NEW's distribution subsidiary, Contents Panda, will handle the distribution of the remake film in Korea.

The Indonesian version will retain the central story while also adapting to the "local sentiment and background," according to NEW.

The 2016 KBS 2 drama was NEW's first television drama production. The story follows soldiers and doctors who find love in a tough overseas environment. The show peaked at a 38.8 percent viewership rating during its 2016 run.

The film will be directed by Hanung Bramantyo, and Indonesian actors Rahadian and Dian Sastrowardoyo will star.

NEW previously exported the production rights to the 2013 Korean film "Miracle in Cell No. 7." The Indonesian 2022 remake, also directed by Bramantyo, had a local spinoff animation, "2nd Miracle in Cell No. 7" (2024).

"Descendants of the Sun Indonesia” is scheduled to open in Indonesia next year.

BY CHO YONG-JUN [[email protected]]