Cinema Service to resume investment and distribution business with 'Taste of Prison'

Cinema Service, which opened the era of '10 million viewers' by proving the commercial potential of Korean films, is returning to the market. Starting with 'Two Cops' in 1993, Cinema Service (CEO Park Yeong Gyu), which led the revival of Korean cinema through more than 100 works such as 'Public Enemy', 'Silmido', and 'King and the Clown', has officially announced the resumption of its investment and distribution business.

Cinema Service has confirmed it will take charge of the main investment and distribution for the comedy film 'Taste of Prison', directed by Kim Gu-jung, which is currently filming. This comeback is a decision made after strengthening its internal capabilities while observing market changes over the past decade.

Comedy 'Taste of Prison' starring Lee Sun-bin, Park Ji-hwan, and Bae Hyun Sung is currently filming

The comeback film 'Taste of Prison' tells the story of a fallen star chef who heads to a prison kitchen. It is a gourmet rehabilitation comedy depicting the process of a star chef, imprisoned overnight, and inmates with their own unique recipes, making food together. Directed by Kim Gu-jung, the film is led by actress Lee Sun-bin, who plays 'Jessica', a star chef who does not hesitate to deliver sharp remarks.

The cast is also impressive. Actor Park Ji-hwan plays 'No-ja', the spiritual pillar of Cell Block 3 and a coffee master, while Bae Hyun Sung plays 'Su-hyeon', a rookie inmate with a sense for cooking. Additionally, veteran actors such as Park Yeong Gyu, Jo Bok-rae, Jo Dong-in, Lee Sang-jin, and Lee Bong-ryun have joined in major roles, adding weight to the drama. In particular, Park Yeong Gyu creates a connection with this comeback work, having played the gas station owner in the 1999 film 'The Gas Station Incident', one of Cinema Service's past masterpieces.

Securing investment stability through strategic alliances with Michigan Venture Capital and others

Cinema Service has built a solid capital structure for this business resumption. It has secured stability in procuring production costs by forming strategic alliances with major domestic venture capital (VC) firms, including Michigan Venture Capital, and traditional investment firms. The company's policy is not merely to distribute films, but to establish a system that connects investment and distribution into a single framework from the planning and development stages.

The company has closely observed the changing landscape of the Korean film market over the past 10 years. The investment and distribution system built through this process will serve as the foundation for future projects. Based on the cooperative system established this time, Cinema Service plans to complete a robust business structure that spans from planning to completion.

Preparing next lineups such as occult historical dramas set in the Joseon Dynasty

Cinema Service's moves do not stop at 'Taste of Prison'. For its next lineup, an occult historical thriller set in the Joseon Dynasty is being prepared. Currently, discussions regarding casting with top-tier actors are underway, and the project has entered the pre-production stage. In addition, many well-made projects that can simultaneously capture both an original worldview and mass appeal are waiting in the wings.

Through 'Two Cops' in 1993, Cinema Service once demonstrated the commercial strength of Korean films in a theater market centered on foreign films. In particular, 'Silmido', released in 2003, remains a monumental work in Korean film history, recording the first time a domestic film surpassed 10 million viewers. Subsequently, 'King and the Clown' also expanded the market's scope by attracting 10.51 million viewers. Cinema Service, stepping up once again as a key player in the stagnant Korean film industry, is fleshing out its next moves.

Market dominance built by investing in and distributing over 100 films

Led by 'Two Cops' released in 1993, Cinema Service has invested in or distributed more than 100 films, including 'Public Enemy' and 'The Gas Station Incident'. In 2003, it set a record by becoming the first domestic film to surpass 10 million viewers through 'Silmido'. Subsequently, 'King and the Clown' also expanded the market by attracting 10.51 million viewers.