K-Pop Martial Arts Thriller 'Belladonna' Sets Taekwondo Star Taemi

Mar 17, 2026 5:16pm PT K-Pop Martial Arts Thriller ‘Belladonna’ Sets Taekwondo World Champion Taemi for English-Language Debut (EXCLUSIVE) By Naman Ramachandran Plus Icon Naman Ramachandran Latest Thai-Vietnamese Horror Comedy ‘Roll & LOL’ Set as Benetone, Fearfolks and ProductionQ Ink Co-Production Deal (EXCLUSIVE) 6 minutes ago Southeast Asian Horror Leads Mockingbird Pictures’ Diverse Slate at Hong Kong FilMart (EXCLUSIVE) 7 minutes ago Jericho Rosales, Jasmine Curtis-Smith Head Gushcloud Philippines’ Creator-Driven Slate at FilMart (EXCLUSIVE) 9 minutes ago See All Red Packet Media “Tidal Wave” and “Ode to My Father” director JK Yoon is joining forces with taekwondo powerhouse K-Tigers and action film veteran Mike Leeder to produce “Belladonna,” starring former world taekwondo champion Taemi. The project was unveiled at Hong Kong FilMart, with shooting set to begin in the summer. The film centers on a seasoned contract killer who, after her employers order her to go off the grid, chooses to disappear on her own terms. She reinvents herself in Seoul — running a flower shop, falling in love — until a ruthless figure from her past resurfaces and threatens to destroy the new life she has built, pulling her back into a world she thought she had left behind. Related Stories 'Full Speed' Takes on Daytona 500 in First Look as Netflix Series Shifts to Feature-Length Film on Prime Video (EXCLUSIVE) Hrithik Roshan's HRX Films, Prime Video Team for Comedy 'Mess' (EXCLUSIVE) The film will feature a K-pop soundtrack crafted by producers who have worked with Blackpink, BTS and on the soundtrack for “KPop Demon Hunters.” Popular on Variety Yoon will direct and produce from his own screenplay, through JK Film, which operates under the CJ ENM banner. The project marks his English-language directorial debut. “It’s time to bring back Korean martial arts cinema with a fresh approach,” said Yoon. “The global success of K-pop has opened the door for us to introduce K-kick Cinema to the world.” Co-producing alongside Yoon is An Chang-bum, CEO of K-Tigers, one of the world’s leading taekwondo demonstration outfits. Established in Seoul in 1990 by Grandmaster Hak Sun An, the organization — formally known as Korean Tigers — has built a global following through spectacular stage shows that weave together Olympic-discipline taekwondo, acrobatics and aerial martial arts. Beyond performance, K-Tigers runs an international network of branded training schools and fields multiple competitive squads. Past screen credits for its members include “Pan” opposite Hugh Jackman, “The Kick” from “Ong-Bak” director Prachya Pinkaew, “The Healer” and “My Sassy Girl.” Completing the producing team is Mike Leeder of Red Packet Media, a veteran action film hyphenate whose credits include Jet Li’s “Fearless,” Jackie Chan’s “Rush Hour 3,” the “Ip Man” franchise and “The Raid 2,” among others. “I’ve been a fan of Korean cinema and the K-Tigers for a long time, and I’m excited about working with such an acclaimed director and introducing a new female action star to the world,” said Leeder. The picture serves as the English-language starring debut of Taemi. Signed to K-Tigers Entertainment and a performing member of the mixed-gender troupe K-Tigers Zero, she has screen credits on “The Kick,” “Healer” and “My Sassy Girl,” and most recently served as martial arts director on the Oscar-winning global hit “K-Pop Demon Hunters.” “Taekwondo has been part of my life since I was a child. It’s not just a sport, but a philosophy and a way of life,” said Taemi. “Through ‘Belladonna,’ I’m excited to share the power and beauty of Taekwondo with audiences around the world.” Yoon’s directorial credits include the disaster epic “Tidal Wave” and the acclaimed drama “Ode to My Father.” Jump to Comments ‘The Night Manager’ Chinese-Language Remake Expands Cast Documentary ‘I Want to Be a Superstar’ Showcases Story of Female Japanese Boxing Champ Mizuki Hiruta (EXCLUSIVE) ‘How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’ Producer Vanridee Pongsittisak on ’50 First Dates’ Remake, New Film ‘Gohan’ and GDH 559’s Global Ambitions (EXCLUSIVE) ‘Closure,’ About a Father’s Obsessive Search for His Missing Son, Wins the Golden Alexander at Thessaloniki Documentary Festival Golden Rooster Roundtable Talks Chinese Cinema in the Age of AI at Hong Kong FilMart: ‘AI Cannot Replace Actors’ ‘Furious Attack’ Tops Film Slate Packed With Action, Fantasy and Docs From Reliance Media Entertainment at Hong Kong FilMart (EXCLUSIVE) JavaScript is required to load the comments. Loading comments...