Choi Jae-won

Choi Jae-won (; born 1967) is a South Korean film investor, planner, and producer, as well as the co-founder and current CEO of Anthology Studio, a subsidiary of Studio LuluLala. He started his career as security analyst at a venture capital company. He became film investor after he introduced South Korea's first film investment fund.

Throughout his career, he has held CEO positions at iPictures, Barunson E&A, Next Entertainment World, and withUs Film. Moreover, he has served as the former head of Warner Bros. Korea, fostering collaboration between the domestic film market and major Hollywood studios.

Early life and education Choi Jae-won was born in 1967. After attending Seondeok High School, Choi later worked as a writer for the Korea Broadcasting Corporation.

Career Early career Following his graduation, Choi began his career as a securities analyst at Korea Industrial Securities, a venture capital firm. Despite earning a high salary, he decided in his early 30s to pivot toward film investment. Choi's path into the industry began in 1997 when he joined Infinite Technology Investment, a mid sized startup led by CEO Lee In-gyu. Choi's transition to filmmaking career brought significant financial hardships, including the sale of his Gangnam apartment and a move to a rented home on the outskirts of Seoul. Despite these challenges, he remained committed to his goal of producing at least one film that would deeply resonate with audiences. In August 2000, Choi was appointed head of the Content Team at Infinite Technology Investment. By January 2001, he expanded the firm's portfolio beyond cinema to include games and online platforms, with investments in entities such as Web Cinema, Easy Club, and Geoinet. During this period, the firm invested in 20 films and animations, including the box office success Kick the Moon, Musa, and .

In 2002, the investment scale was estimated at ₩30 billion, including ongoing productions. The firm focused on Sidus Pictures projects, Starring Song Kang-ho and Moon So-ri, the film depicts four decades of South Korean history through the perspective of a barber selected to serve President Park Chung-hee. Despite receiving critical acclaim upon its release on May 5, 2004, the film did not reach its break-even point and was considered a box office disappointment.

Barunson and Next Entertainment World (NEW) Following the failure of their latest film, The President's Barber, iPictures experienced bankruptcy, prompting Choi to consider a return to the financial world. However, he made the decision to delve into film production instead. On November 9, 2005, Choi sold iPictures to Barunson Co., Ltd. This acquisition allowed Barunson to expand its presence in the entertainment industry and establish Barunson Entertainment. Prior to the acquisition, iPictures had been involved in the film business since 2000 through a Venture Fund and had ranked as the third-largest company in terms of investment performance, trailing behind Cinema Service and CJ Entertainment.

After the acquisition, Choi took on the leadership role in the film business division at Barunson. The division's goal was to produce, co-produce, and invest in more than 10 films annually, starting from the following year. Notably, the division had already secured investment contracts. At the time, Choi signed a contract with directors Kim Jee-woon and Bong Joon-ho for two films each, which was an unprecedented move in the industry.

Choi was also involved in the investment and production of Kim Jee-woon's film The Good, the Bad, and the Weird.

A year later, Choi served as a producer for director Bong Joon-ho's film Mother.

In 2007, he was ranked 38th in the list of Cine21 Chungmuro 50 Power Filmmaker. He was chosen for his ability to quickly adapt to director branding trends and for his innovative approach of combining capital and talent directly, without relying on a production company as an intermediary. Although his experimental film business model, which involved investing based on the abundant capital of a listed company and establishing a production unit directly, had yet to be fully proven. It was anticipated that he would demonstrate a certain level of efficiency given the growing influence of directors in the industry. NEW was founded in 2008 by Kim Woo-taek, former Showbox CEO. Under Choi's leadership, NEW collaborated with Uni Korea Literary Investment, a film importer, to bring the 2005 Indian film Black into the market. Despite a lack of interest from other importers and major distributors, who believed the film had low domestic awareness and had already been widely seen, Uni Korea Literary Investment acquired the copyright after it topped the charts for illegal downloads in late 2007. NEW made the decision to release the film in 200 theaters. Although the import price was not disclosed, it was mentioned that the total investment, including copyright and marketing costs, amounted to approximately ₩1.2 billion—a surprisingly low figure. Nevertheless, the film went on to generate over ₩4 billion in box office revenue.

Establishing withUs Film and venturing into film production In May 2010, CEO Choi established withUs Film and ventured into full-fledged film production. Together with Youth Film, withUs Film co-produced Director Kim Seok-yoon's film Detective K: Secret of the Virtuous Widow.

Afterwards, Choi produced director E J-yong's film Behind the Camera,

Choi's (withUs Film's) third work was The Attorney, which marked the directorial debut of Yang Woo-suk. The film drew inspiration from the real-life that took place in 1981 during the authoritarian Chun Doo-hwan regime. It chronicles the transformative journey of Song Woo-seok, portrayed by Song Kang-ho, a struggling tax lawyer, as he faces five intense trials and forges significant relationships along the way. "This movie was conceived around early May 2012. I went to school (his alma mater) unexpectedly met juniors, but college students these days are not interested in society or anything else, and their only goal is to get a job. So, it reminded me a lot of when I was in school. I thought, why don't we tell a story about how in our 20s, we talked about democracy and the people while giving up our vested rights and risking our lives to fight for them?"—Choi about the planning motif of The Attorney. CJ ENM and Showbox had expressed their interest in distributing The Attorney, but Jang Kyung-ik, the CEO of NEW's film division, reached out to Choi to inquire why the proposal had not been shared with him. Additionally, NEW's CEO, Kim Woo-taek, personally contacted Choi regarding the film. In the end, withUs Film signed an investment and distribution agreement with NEW. achieved remarkable success at the box office. The film sold over 11 million tickets and generated ₩82.9 billion in revenue. It was the second highest-grossing Korean film in 2013. Currently, it holds the 17th rank among the highest-grossing Korean films of all time.

Warner Brothers In 2014, while still holding the title of "Producer of The Attorney," Choi was offered a position at Warner Bros. Korea. Despite initial hesitation, his curiosity about the company's 90-year presence in the global film industry and the belief in effectively utilizing overseas film capital led him to accept the offer. He officially joined Warner Bros. Korea on January 1, 2015.

Choi admires Warner Bros.'s deep trust placed in creators. Directors like Clint Eastwood, who have longstanding relationships with the company, are given significant creative freedom. The emphasis is on providing unwavering support for the creative process while carefully managing schedules and budgets once decisions are made. Choi believes that incorporating aspects of the Hollywood approach can positively impact the Korean film production environment. By "Koreanizing" these methods, he envisions fostering the growth and development of the local film industry.

Warner Bros. Korea made an entry into the Korean film market with its inaugural film, The Age of Shadows. On August 3, 2015, Warner Bros. Korea announced their involvement in financing and distributing their first Korean-language film set in the 1930s, tentatively titled "Secret Agent." The movie, with a budget of $8.62 million, was being co-produced by Grimm Pictures. The film has an impressive lineup with Lee Jin-sook as the scriptwriter and Kim Jee-woon as the director. The talented cast includes Song Kang-ho and Gong Yoo. On July 14, 2016, a trailer was released, unveiling the film's new title, The Age of Shadows. On August 30, 2016, The Korean Film Council (KOFIC) announced that The Age of Shadows had been selected as South Korea's official entry for the best foreign-language film category at the 89th Academy Awards.

The film dominated Chuseok holiday with 7.5 million viewers. Its success allowed Warner Bros. to surpass the four major domestic film companies and claim the top spot in the Korean film distribution market, as reported by the Korea Film Council in September. Securing the top position holds great significance, considering that it was the first film produced domestically by a direct Hollywood distribution company. With The Age of Shadows 's success, Choi accomplished a smooth establishment of a local production with an overseas distributor, successfully avoiding trial and error. This achievement not only alleviated anxieties surrounding overseas companies but also positioned Warner Bros. as a prominent player in the market. Their financial strength, adaptable planning and development system, and openness to new ideas also played a crucial role.

In the same year, Warner Bros. Korea collaborated with Park Hoon-jung to produce the crime-action thriller film V.I.P., starred Jang Dong-gun, Kim Myung-min, Park Hee-soon, and Lee Jong-suk. It centered around the pursuit of a serial killer by officers from South Korea, North Korea, and Interpol. Despite featuring a renowned cast, the film did not perform well at the box office. Moreover, V.I.P. received a lot of criticism its excessive portrayal of violence against women.

Warner Bros. Korea established Hwayi-Warner Content Venture Fund. It was first film fund formed by Warner Brothers Korea in Korea. Huayi Investment is in charge of the operation. major domestic and foreign content companies and capital companies joined, including Warner Brothers Korea, Huayi Brothers Korea, Huayi-Tencent Entertainment, FNC Ad Culture, and Next Entertainment World. Next Entertainment World invested in The Battleship Island in July 2017 by participating as an investor of Hwayi-Warner Content Venture Fund.

Between 2017 and 2018, Warner Bros. and Kim Jee-woon collaborated on the production of the science fiction action film Illang: The Wolf Brigade. This movie serves as a remake of the 1999 anime film Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade Boasting an impressive ensemble cast that includes Gang Dong-won, Han Hyo-joo, Jung Woo-sung, Kim Mu-yeol, and Choi Min-ho, the film was released during the summer of 2018. With a production cost of 19 billion won (equivalent to US$17.04 million), Warner Bros. Despite receiving mixed reviews and falling short of expectations at the domestic box office, with approximately 897,000 tickets sold as opposed to its break-even point of six million tickets, it competed for the Golden Shell at the San Sebastián International Film Festival, making it the second South Korean film to do so. Additionally, Netflix acquired the international distribution rights for the film.

In 2018, Warner Bros. once again collaborated with Park Hoon-jung again in science fiction action horror film The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion. This marked the third collaboration between Park Hoon-jung and Park Hee-soon. The film also featured actress Jo Min-soo and actor Choi Woo-shik. For the role of Ja-yoon, a high school student who loses her memory after escaping from a facility where a mysterious accident occurred, a rookie actress named Kim Da-mi was chosen for the role of Ja-yoon after competing against odds of 1,500 to 1. was chosen after competing against odds of 1,500 to 1. The story revolves around Ja-yoon, as she tries to uncover the truth behind the incident that caused multiple deaths in a hidden facility.

Except for The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion, which attracted 3.18 million viewers, Illang: The Wolf Brigade, Jesters: The Game Changers, and The Battle of Jangsari received disappointing result, leading Choi to think hard about what kind of movie to make. One way to get an answer is to pay more attention to content that younger employees find interesting. Choi makes the final decision among the works selected by employees. As a result, film of The Day I Died: Unclosed Case, Josée, and Killing Romance were scheduled to be released.

Anthology Studio Following his departure from Warner Bros. Korea, Choi, together with director Kim Jee-woon and actor Song Kang-ho, founded a film production company named Anthology Studio . It was established on November 17, 2020.

In December 2021, JTBC Studios acquired 100% stake of Anthology Studio for 20 billion won. It appears that the funds converted into cash from the sale of shares were used for paid-in capital increase. All Anthology Studio's founders have become shareholders of JTBC Studio. JTBC Studio issued 767,077 shares of common stock to Choi, director Kim Jee-woon and actor Song Kang-ho, as well as Paan Co., Ltd., a film company founded by Choi and actor Song Kang-ho. Song's wife, Hwang Jang-sook, currently serves as Paan Co., Ltd.'s executive director. The price per share was confirmed at 16,048 won. The size of the capital increase is 12.3 billion won. This capital increase involved Choi investing 3.4 billion won, Kim Jee-woon investing 2.9 billion won, and Paan Co., Ltd. investing 6 billion won to JTBC Studio. The acquired stocks are subject to a one-year lock-up period.

Anthology Studio first work, where Choi also served as producer was Kim Jee-woon's Cobweb, a period black comedy-drama film directed starring Song Kang-ho, Im Soo-jung, Oh Jung-se, Jeon Yeo-been, and Krystal Jung. Principal photography began on March 8, 2022, and concluded on June 6, 2022.

On March 30, 2022, JTBC Studio underwent a name change and became 'SLL (Studio LuluLala),' with a vision to expand its reach in the global content market. Anthology Studio become label of SLL. On April 19, the SLL Media Day event, 'Let's LuluLala,' took place at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Jung-gu, Seoul. Present at the event were SLL CEO Jeong Kyeong-moon, SLL Production Division 1 Director Park Jun-seo, SLL Strategy Department Director Choi Jae-hyuk, Climax Studio CEO Byun Seung-min, Film Monster director Lee Jae-gyu, and Anthology Studio CEO Choi Jae-won.

On March 21, 2023, photo of the partnership signing ceremony between Choi, representing Anthology Studio, and Kumar Mangat, CEO of Padak Panorama Studio was released. On that day, Panorama Studio India made the announcement that the two studios will collaborate to produce the remake of Drishyam, which signifies the first-ever collaboration between an Indian and a Korean studio. Additionally, it will be the first time a Hindi film is officially remade in the Korean language. Anthology has plans to remake all three films in the Drishyam franchise, and production for the first installment is expected to commence in 2024.

In May 2023, Cobweb premiered in the non-competitive section at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. The film was released theatrically on September 27, 2023, coinciding with Korean Chuseok holidays.

The 28th Busan International Film Festival hosted the 'Asia Content & Film Market - Korea, US, and Japan content production environment and global market strategy' session at BEXCO Exhibition Hall 1 in Haeundae District, Busan. Anthology Studio CEO Choi Jae-won, director Anthony Shim, David Flynn, and Anthology Studio producer Song Sun-ho attended and unveiled the 'Anthology Studio Global Project Lineup.' This lineup includes 'Offering,' 'D-1,' and 'The Hole,' which are novel-based works transformed into global content.

Anthology Studios and Anonymous Content are to produce "Offering," an acclaimed Korean coming-of-age novel written by Michael Kim. Anthony Shim, the Canadian Korean director behind Toronto International Film Festival's winning film Riceboy Sleeps, is served as writer and director. Kim Jee-woon is set to direct the adaptation of the novel The Hole. In the case of D-1, which is adapted from the novel "Oh Sister" and produced by SLL global label Wiip and Anthology Studio, the plan is to develop it as a film in Korea and as a series in the United States.

Other activities In 2020, The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism appointed Choi Jae-won as one of seven non-executive members of the Korean Film Council (KOFIC). The term of office was from January 3, 2020, to January 3, 2022.

Choi served as feature film judge member of The 49th Seoul Independent Film Festival 2023. It was opened at CGV Apgujeong on November 30, 2023.

Personal life Choi is married with children, including a daughter born in 1995 and a son. Choi and his wife are devoted to their Buddhist faith. Monk Gwangje, the eldest Theravada of Baegyangsa, bestowed upon Choi the Dharma name "Hwaôm" (華嚴).

During a difficult period in Choi's life, his wife guided him towards Hadong Ssanggyesa. Having achieved substantial success in the securities industry and established his own investment company, Choi had attained considerable wealth. However, unforeseen circumstances led to a sudden downfall, resulting in his bankruptcy. Prior to this challenging period, Choi was raised in a non-devout Buddhist family, only visiting the temple on events like Buddha's Birthday. Plum Blossom 청춘 Kwak Ji-kyoon Bichunmoo 비천무 Kim Young-jun Taewon Entertaintment

I Wish I Had a Wife 나도 아내가 있었으면 좋겠다 Park Heung-sik Sidus Pictures Co., Ltd. Musa 무사 Kim Sung-su Sidus Pictures Co., Ltd. Indian Summer 인디안 썸머 Noh Hyo-jeong Cinema Service Summer Time 썸머타임 Park Jae-ho Sidus Pictures Co., Ltd. Wanee & Junah 와니와 준하 Kim Yong-gyun Youth Film

My Beautiful Girl, Mari 마리이야기 Lee Sung-gang Marriage Is a Crazy Thing 결혼은 미친 짓이다 Yoo Ha Cinema Service Road Movie 로드무비 Kim In-sik Sidus Pictures Co., Ltd. The Coast Guard 해안선 Kim Ki-duk LJ Film

Madeleine 마들렌 Park Kwang-chun Free Cinema Memories of Murder 살인의 추억 Bong Joon-ho Sidus Pictures Co., Ltd. CJ Entertainment A Tale of Two Sisters 장화, 홍련 Kim Jee-woon iPictures Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring 봄 여름 가을 겨울 그리고 봄 Kim Ki-duk LJ Film

Dance with Solitude 고독이 몸부림칠 때 Lee Su-in Magic Flute Flying Boys Byun Young-joo Good Movie The Wolf Returns 마지막 늑대 Jahong Koo Genesis Pictures Co., Ltd. The President's Barber Im Chan-sang Showbox

Hansel and Gretel 헨젤과 그레텔 Yim Pil-sung

The Good, the Bad, the Weird 좋은 놈, 나쁜 놈, 이상한 놈 Kim Jee-woon

Mother 마더 Bong Joon-ho BarunsonGrimm PicturesCJ Entertainment

Girl Friends 걸프렌즈 Kang Seok-beom Next Entertainment World

Fortune Salon 청담보살 Kim Jin-young Next Entertainment World

Audition 오디션 Min Kyung-jo Film

Lifting King Kong 킹콩을 들다 Park Gun-yong

Man of Vendetta 파괴된 사나이 Woo Min-ho iFilmI Love Cinema

Hindsight 푸른소금 Lee Hyun-seung Studio Blue

Detective K: Secret of the Virtuous Widow 광대들: 풍문조작단 Kim Ju-ho

Behind the Camera 뒷담화: 감독이 미쳤어요 E J-yong

The Attorney Yang Woo-suk

The Magician 조선마술사 Kim Dae-seung

The Age of Shadows 밀정 Kim Jee-woon

A Special Lady 미옥 Lee An-gyu Kidari Entertainment

V.I.P. 브이아이피 Park Hoon-jung

Champion 챔피언 Kim Yong-wan

Illang: The Wolf Brigade 인랑 Kim Jee-woon

The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion 마녀 Park Hoon-jung

Miss Baek 미쓰백 Lee Ji-won Bae Pictures

Dino King 3D: Journey to Fire Mountain 점박이 한반도의 공룡2 : 새로운 낙원 Han Sang-ho Pictures

Jo Pil-ho: The Dawning Rage 악질경찰 Lee Jung-beom

Bring Me Home 나를 찾아줘 Kim Seung-woo 26 Company

Jesters: The Game Changers 광대들: 풍문조작단 Kim Joo-ho Film History Simplex

Battle of Jangsari 장사리: 잊혀진 영웅들

The Day I Died: Unclosed Case 내가 죽던 날 Park Ji-wan

Best Friend 이웃사촌 Lee Hwan-kyung

Josée 조제 Kim Jong-kwan

Killing Romance 킬링 로맨스 Lee Won-suk Warner Bros. Korea Cobweb 거미집 Kim Jee-woon Anthology StudioBarunson StudioLuz Y Sonidos

Kim Jee-woon Anthology StudioPanorama Offering 오퍼링스 Anthony Shim Anthology StudioAnonymous Content

TBA Anthology StudioStudio Wiip

Accolades

Award and nomination

Listicle +Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placementPublisherYearListPlacement Cine21 2007 Chungmuro 50 Power Filmmaker