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Bong Joon-ho begins production on first animation film 'Ally' set for completion next year

Published: 03 Apr. 2026, 19:44

LIM JEONG-WON
[email protected]

Director Bong Joon-ho is seen at an event during the Busan International Film Festival at Centum City in Busan on Sept. 23, 2025. [YONHAP]

Oscar-winning director Bong Joon-ho’s first feature-length animation film, “Ally,” has gone into production with the goal of being completed in the first half of next year, distributor CJ ENM said Friday.

“Ally,” an animation film centered on creatures in the deep sea, is a large-scale multinational production bringing together top-tier creators from 12 countries. Inspired by real marine life, the film has been in development since 2019 and centers on themes of friendship and courage through an encounter between humans and deep-sea creatures.

CJ ENM, Penture K-Content Fund and French studio Pathe Films are jointly financing and distributing the project, while Barunson C&C is overseeing production.

“Ally” follows a group of deep-sea fish living in an underwater canyon, curious about the human world above. At the center is Ally, a piglet squid who dreams of seeing the sun and appearing on television. The quiet lives of Ally and his friends are disrupted when a mysterious aircraft crashes into the ocean, sending them on an unexpected journey toward the surface.

The project also reunites Bong with some familiar collaborators. Director Yoo Jae-sun, whose film “Sleep” (2023) was invited to Critics’ Week at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, joined as cowriter. Seo previously produced Bong’s films “Mother” (2009) and “Okja” (2017).

A still from Bong Joon-ho's first feature animation film ″Ally″ [CJ ENM]

The production team includes several major names in global animation. Visual effects studio DNEG, known for its work on Hollywood films “Inception” (2010) and “Dune” (2021), is participating in the 3-D animation production.

Animator Kim Jae-hyung, who worked on “Toy Story 4” (2019) and “Inside Out” (2015), is attached as animation supervisor. Marcin Jakubowski, production designer of Netflix animated feature “Klaus” (2019), has also joined, along with David Lipman, a producer of “Shrek” (2001) and “Shrek 2” (2004).

Distribution will be split by region. CJ ENM and Penture will handle Korea, Vietnam, Turkey and Indonesia, while Pathe Films will oversee France, Benelux, Switzerland and West Africa. CJ ENM and Penture are also responsible for sales in Japan, China, Hong Kong and Macau, with Pathe handling the rest of the world.

BY LIM JEONG-WON [[email protected]]