Director Lee Hanju Presents New Drama Project The Family Table at Busan Asian Project Market
Director Lee Hanju is presenting his latest film project, The Family Table, at the Asian Project Market (APM) during the Busan International Film Festival. The drama follows a father who challenges the school system after his daughter is bullied, only to find that his pursuit of justice threatens his family's stability and reveals complex secrets about the accused. The production team is currently seeking international co-production partners, investors, and sales agents, with the goal of beginning production in the latter half of 2027.
Key points
- The Family Table is a Korean drama project currently seeking international co-production and financing at the Asian Project Market.
- The story centers on a father who faces personal and financial strain while fighting a school bullying case involving his daughter.
- Director Lee Hanju aims to explore the moral complexities of being a 'good person' and the unintended consequences of seeking justice.
- The production team is targeting the second half of 2027 for the start of filming.
- Lee is also developing a separate sports mystery film titled Shoot-Off, with production slated to begin in December 2026.
What happened
Director Lee Hanju has introduced his new film project, The Family Table, at the Asian Project Market, an industry event held within the Busan International Film Festival. The project is currently in development, with a first draft of the screenplay completed.
The narrative follows Gyu-seong, a father who takes legal action after his 12-year-old daughter is subjected to inappropriate comments at school. As the legal battle progresses, the family faces mounting financial pressure and public scrutiny, while new information about the accused boy complicates the situation.
Reaction
Producer Kang Jeongwon highlighted the film's central conflict, noting that the story examines why 'doing the right thing' can carry such a high cost for a family. The project is designed to avoid clear-cut heroes and villains, instead focusing on the motivations behind the characters' choices.
Director Lee Hanju stated that the film aims to prompt viewers to reflect on their own actions, noting that individuals who have been harmed may inadvertently cause harm to others in different relationships.
Background
The project is being pitched to international partners, including co-producers and investors, with the team open to the possibility of relocating the story outside of Korea to broaden its appeal. The team is also seeking sales agents to manage festival positioning and distribution.
In addition to The Family Table, Lee is working on a sports mystery titled Shoot-Off. Pre-production for that film is underway, with filming scheduled to commence in December 2026 and completion expected by mid-2027.
Why it matters
The project highlights the challenges of international co-production for character-driven dramas that address specific social issues, while also showcasing the development pipeline for director Lee Hanju.
What we know
- Lee Hanju is presenting The Family Table at the Asian Project Market during the Busan International Film Festival.
