Artist Company, founded by Squid Game star Lee Jung Jae and Jung Woo Sung, has entered into a contract with British production company Imaginarium Productions. The acclaimed British performance-capture studio co-founded by Andy Serkis (Planet of the Apes, The Lord of the Rings) and Jonathan Cavendish.
The collaboration aims to produce Secret Idol (working title), a live-action film blending K-pop glamour with high-stakes espionage, as announced on May 26.
Artist Company was founded by Lee Jung Jae and Jung Woo Sung before the global success of Squid Game. It is home to many popular actors such as Kim Hye Yoon, Lim Ji Yeon, Park Hae Jin, Won Jin Ah, Choi Yi Hyun, and more.
The upcoming film Secret Idol presents an innovative concept that merges the high-pressure world of K-pop training with international espionage. The spy thriller centers on an undercover agent who assumes the identity of a K-pop trainee, facing dual challenges: the intense competition of the idol industry and a dangerous mission against a global criminal network.
The label said, “‘Secret Idol’ will be an innovative project that proves the global scalability of K-pop, a Korean content, and opens up all-around possibilities,” and added, “Through collaboration with Imaginerium, we will present content with universality and popularity that global audiences can empathize with.”
Artist Company is collaborating closely with Imaginerium Productions from the earliest stages, jointly developing the story and production strategy. The teams are exploring casting options that may include Hollywood actors. They are open to partnering with additional global distributors and production companies as the project progresses.
Founded in 2011 by actor-director Andy Serkis and producer Jonathan Cavendish (Bridget Jones series), Imaginerium Productions has built a reputation for innovative storytelling. The studio has produced films like Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle and The Ritual, along with Netflix series such as The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself.
Currently, Imaginerium is developing The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum in collaboration with Warner Bros., slated for 2027.
Artist Company, the content production division of Lee Jung Jae’s Artist Group, has evolved into a full-service entertainment company. The studio oversees all aspects of production, distribution, and broadcasting under one integrated system.
Industry observers are watching how Secret Idol will contribute to the global entertainment landscape.