Korean Cheerleading Film ‘Victory’ Sets Theatrical Releases

Victory, an uplifting drama film about cheerleading, has been widely pre-sold ahead of its upcoming South Korea commercial release.

Directed by Park Beom-su, known for “Single in Seoul” and “Red Carpet,” the film is about a high-school dance duo who inspire people in their village with a heartfelt cheerleading performance, and an underdog school soccer team on a remote island.

The film has been acquired by 815 Pictures for North America; Sky Films Entertainment for Taiwan; Lumix Media for Vietnam; PT Prima Cinema Multimedia for Indonesia; House of M for Thailand; Emphasis Video Entertainment for inflight distribution; and by Westec Media Limited for Cambodia. Seoul-based sales agency Finecut handled all the rights deals.

The film had its world premiere as the opening title at the New York Asian Film Festival. The Korean commercial release is scheduled for Aug. 14. Theatrical releases follow shortly after in North America and Vietnam, on Aug. 16. Those in Indonesia, Taiwan, Cambodia and Thailand follow from late August to September.

“Victory” stars actress Lee Hye-ri, recognized for “My Punch Drunk Boxer and TV’s “Reply 1998,” and Park Se-wan, known for “Life Is Beautiful” and “6/45,” as the dance duo.

Cho A-ram from TV series “Thank You” and “Doctor Cha,” plays a former member of a cheerleading squad in Seoul who moves to the village, while Lee Jung Ha, recognized for Disney+’s “Moving” portrays the goalkeeper of the school soccer team that always loses.

Produced by Korea’s Annapurna Films, headed by Lee Anna, the producer behind box office hits including “Sunny,” and “Scandal Makers,” the new film is presented by Mindmark, a cultural content IP company under the Shinsegae Group. Mindmark has been involved as financier and Korean distributor of Korean films including “Brave Citizen,” “Love Reset” and “Honey Sweet.” Its slate also includes Hur Jin-ho’s “A Normal Family” and “Boss.”