London and LA-based independent studio The Ink Factory (The Night Manager) 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 written by Kim Yun-shin, with the project led by VO Media’s Kim Shin-ho, while Park Bo-kyeong will oversee development with The Ink Factory’s Executive Producer for Korea, Junyoung Jang.
The executive producing team also includes The Ink Factory’s Tessa Inkelaar, Simon Cornwell, Stephen Cornwell and Michele Wolkoff, 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.
An idealistic young human rights lawyer Annabel is determined to save him from deportation, but the intelligence services of UK, U.S. and Germany regard him as a potential jihadist and a pawn between them as they seek to make a kill in the war on terror.
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.”
The Ink Factory co-CEOs Simon Cornwell and Stephen Cornwell 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.”
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. She 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.
Park and Kim have combined credits including Beethoven Virus, The King 2 Hearts, I Can Hear Your Voice, Splendid Politics and, most recently, Why Her. Kim previously worked at Korean broadcaster MBC.
The Ink Factory partnered with 127 Wall Productions in 2021 to finance a slate of Asian adaptations of John le Carré’s work, including the Hindi-language version of The Night Manager co-produced with Banijay Asia for Disney+ Hotstar.
