Korea’s VO Media to adapt Ink Factory’s Most Wanted Man

The Ink Factory is partnering with Korean production company VO Media – founded by veteran producers Park Bo-kyeong and Kim Shin-ho – to adapt John le Carré’s thriller novel A Most Wanted Man.

The screenplay for the new Korea-set adaptation will be penned by Kim Yun-shin, with the project being led by producer Kim Shin-ho for VO Media.

VO Media’s Park Bo-kyeong will oversee development with The Ink Factory’s executive producer for Korea, Junyoung Jang, who joined the company in 2021 to oversee local productions and serve as a creative bridge between the UK and Korea.

The executive producing team also includes Tessa Inkelaar, Simon Cornwell, Stephen Cornwell and Michele Wolkoff for The Ink Factory, alongside Joe Tsai and Arthur Wang from 127 Wall Productions.

First published in 2008, A Most Wanted Man follows an illegal Muslim immigrant who arrives in Hamburg from Russia with a traumatic past and the key to a fortune held in a private bank.

The show tracks how an idealistic young human rights lawyer tries to save him from deportation, while intelligence services explore if he is linked to terrorist organisations.

Kim Shin-ho and writer Kim Yun-shin said: “At its core, the story asks: under the name of the nation, how easily can an individual become a sacrifice?

“We were drawn to reinterpret this story within the context of modern Korean history – a history marked by war, division, dictatorship, and countless sacrifices made in the name of security.

“For us, A Most Wanted Man is both a mirror reflecting the wounds of Korean modern history and a story carrying the questions we must hand to the next generation.”

Simon Cornwell and Stephen Cornwell, founders and co-chief execs at The Ink Factory, described the novel as “a poignant exploration of trust, power and morality – themes that remain deeply relevant today.”

VO Media was established in 2015 by Park and Kim, who have credits on shows including Why Her, Beethoven Virus, The King 2 Hearts and I Can Hear Your Voice.

The Ink Factory partnered with 127 Wall Productions in 2021 to set up an Asian slate of adaptations of its IP. Tessa Inkelaar oversees the slate, which includes the Hindi-language version of The Night Manager for Disney+ Hotstar, which was produced with Banijay Asia.