During the ongoing Asian Film Market, being held in conjunction with the Busan International Film Festival, news surfaced that K-horror classic Whispering Corridors (1998), which has spawned four popular sequels, is getting the Chinese remake treatment.

 

The original film’s Film production CINE2000 is on board for the Chinese version, as well Beijing-based outfit Beautiful Creative Force Culture Media and the Seoul branch of October Pictures. At the helm of the project will be QIN Zhen, a Chungang University alumnus who made this year’s Chinese horror Twin Spirit, featuring Korean actress CHA Ye-ryun.

 

News of this remake comes in the midst of an expanding genre film market in Asia, which has already dipped into Korean content for titles such as the Bushinsaba series, which has churned out three installments over 2012-14, all directed by AN Byung-ki, who was also behind the camera for the Korean original (Bunshinsaba, Ouija Board, 2004).

 

The original Whispering Corridors was directed by PARK Ki-hyung (Acacia, 2003) and subsequent installments have all served as launching platforms for talented new directors. Notably, the first sequel, Memento Mori, was co-directed by MIN Kyu-dong (All About My Wife, 2012) and KIM Tae-yong (Late Autumn, 2011).

 

Unknown actors are anticipated to be included in the as-yet uncast film which will partly be shot in Korea and is expected to be released at some point next year. Significant modifications to the horror story are expected in order to pass the Chinese censor board, which does not allow ghost films, and because China does not have any all-girl high schools. Chinese producer LIU Hongbin is confident that the version they are currently working on will be approved by the board.