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Francisca Hu to Write and Produce Pilot with Jung Byunggil Returning to Direct

Jung Byunggil’s action film The Villainess (2017) is set to get a US makeover, where it will be reborn as a TV series for Amazon Studios. Next Entertainment World (N.E.W.), the studio responsible for the original, has partnered with Skybound Entertainment to develop the project.

Coming on board to write and executive produce the pilot episode is Francisca Hu, whose credits include the TV series Dynasty and Sleepy Hollow. Returning to direct the pilot will be Director Jung, who will also be an executive producer on the show.

News of this TV adaptation of The Villainess was first revealed in early 2019 when N.E.W originally joined hands with Skybound, but at that time no writer was attached.

The series will focus on an Asian woman who believes that she was adopted and raised by white parents in the small American town where she grew up. Following a bloody incident that takes place on a trip to Seoul, she learns that her past is connected to her homeland and the only way she can discover her true identity is to get into bed with a corrupt organization.

The original The Villainess starred Kim Okvin as the titular character and was invited to the midnight screenings section of the Cannes Film Festival in 2017 and welcomed over 1.2 million viewers to theaters during its local run. Director Jung is currently making the action film Carter for Netflix Korea.