Award-winning London and LA-based independent studio The Ink Factory (The Night Manager, The Pigeon Tunnel) is partnering with Korean production company VO Media – founded by veteran producers Park Bo-kyeong and Kim Shin-ho – to develop a new series adaptation of John le Carré’s acclaimed espionage thriller novel A Most Wanted Man. The screenplay for the new Korea-set adaptation will be penned by Kim Yun-shin, with the project being led by Producer Kim Shin-ho for VO Media. Additionally, VO Media’s Park Bo-kyeong will oversee development with The Ink Factory’s Executive Producer for Korea, Junyoung Jang. The executive producing team also includes Tessa Inkelaar, Simon Cornwell, Stephen Cornwell and Michele Wolkoff for The Ink Factory, alongside Joe Tsai and Arthur Wang from 127 Wall Productions.
First published in 2008, A Most Wanted Man follows an illegal Muslim immigrant who arrives in Hamburg from Russia with a traumatic past and the key to a fortune held in a private bank. He says his name is Issa. To the idealistic young human rights lawyer Annabel, determined to save him from deportation, he is a worthy cause. To the intelligence services of Britain, Germany and America, however, he is a potential jihadist – and a pawn between them as they seek to make a kill in the war on terror. The novel is a gripping and disquieting story of paranoia, disillusionment and betrayal in the moral no-man’s land of the post-9/11 world which the New York Times called his “strongest, most powerful novel” on its release, and the Guardian hailed as “a humane novel which takes on the world’s latest binarism and exposes troubling shades of grey”.
Producer Kim Shin-ho and writer Kim Yun-shin commented, “John le Carré’s A Most Wanted Man is not simply about espionage or the war on terror. At its core, the story asks: under the name of the nation, how easily can an individual become a sacrifice? We were drawn to reinterpret this story within the context of modern Korean history – a history marked by war, division, dictatorship, and countless sacrifices made in the name of security. For us, A Most Wanted Man is both a mirror reflecting the wounds of Korean modern history and a story carrying the questions we must hand to the next generation. This is a drama about dignity, power and the fractures between them – a journey in search of an answer to the timeless question: can the dead save the living?”
Simon Cornwell and Stephen Cornwell, Founders and co-CEOs at The Ink Factory, said, “A Most Wanted Man is a poignant exploration of trust, power and morality – themes that remain deeply relevant today. As we continue expanding the global legacy of the le Carré canon, it’s a privilege to forge our first partnership with VO Media, who have a very impressive track record in crafting masterfully plotted projects. Together, we look forward to bringing a distinctly Korean perspective to this gripping story and to reimagine le Carré’s intricate world of espionage through a fresh cultural lens for audiences in Korea and far beyond.”
Park Bo-kyeong at VO Media added, “We are honoured to partner with The Ink Factory, whose global expertise and track record with international partners are second to none. This collaboration allows us not only to adapt one of le Carré’s most human and politically sharp works, but also to learn and grow through The Ink Factory’s experience across Europe, the U.S. and beyond.”
Junyoung Jang joined The Ink Factory in August 2021 as Executive Producer for Korea to oversee local productions and serve as the creative bridge between the UK and Korea. Junyoung began her career on Bong Joon-ho’s ‘The Host’ before producing European co-productions such as ‘Road Games’, ‘A Good Woman is Hard to Find’ and Berlinale Panorama selection ‘Shine Your Eyes’. Junyoung was previously at Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (2017-2020), where she spearheaded Korean TV production initiatives. Most recently, she produced Abner Pastoll’s psychological horror film Nervous.
VO Media was established in 2015 by Park and Kim, who have combined credits including: Beethoven Virus, The King 2 Hearts, I Can Hear Your Voice, Splendid Politics and, most recently, Why Her. Kim Shin-ho brings further expertise from his background at MBC and with commercial production and location management on projects such as The Wailing, Pinocchio, Marriage Contract, My Name and Extracurricular.
The Ink Factory established its Asia slate and associated financing facility, with backing from 127 Wall Productions, in 2021 with the aim of delivering adaptations of John le Carré’s work into the major markets of Asia, and to create a global platform for the work of talent and creators from the region. The slate is headed up by The Ink Factory’s Executive Producer, Tessa Inkelaar and also includes the Hindi-language version of The Night Manager for Disney+ Hotstar starring Anil Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapur, which was produced with Banijay Asia.
