[Busan=Edaily Starin Choi Hee-jae Reporter] "The broadcasting and online video service (OTT) industries are not easy."

At the “TEO X Waterhole Company” press conference held on the 7th at the Busan branch of Music Complex Seoul in Gijang-gun, Busan, Producer Kim Tae-ho explained why the company is expanding its scope beyond broadcasting and OTT content production into film import and distribution. This decision stems from the belief that, amid growing constraints in the content market, the company can deliver powerful experiences to audiences in a way distinct from variety shows.

Producer Kim has presented a variety of variety shows through his production company, TEO. Recently, following the film “The Drama,” he has been expanding his business scope into the film industry by participating in the domestic import, distribution, and production of “Mother Mary.”

Regarding the rationale behind this expansion into the film business, Producer Kim said, “The market size of the broadcast and OTT industries has shrunk, and there are now more restrictions on the number of content episodes we can present.”

He added, “While there are stories I’d like to tell through variety shows, given the limitations, I thought we could present them more effectively and powerfully through films.”

He also cited his long-standing interest in films as a reason for entering the film business. Producer Kim said, “I’ve always loved movies,” adding, “When I watch variety shows, I’m so immersed in the work right now that I don’t easily notice the individual details. It might be because I’ve never worked behind the scenes in film, but there seems to be a charm that draws me in when I watch them.”

This time, he is partnering with Waterhole Company—known for introducing stylish foreign films—to present *Mother Mary*. Theo and Waterhole Company plan to continue their collaboration in the areas of film import and distribution, drawing on their respective experiences with content.

Producer Kim emphasized “diversity” as the criterion for selecting films for distribution. “What I value most is diversity,” he said. “Rather than setting a single direction, I wanted to curate content that would appeal to a wide range of audience tastes.”

He added, “While the genres may seem to have nothing in common at first glance, we’ve put together a lineup that invites viewers to examine each film closely, watch them, and then discuss them.”

“Mother Mary” is a pop music thriller about pop icon Mother Mary (Anne Hathaway), who—on the eve of a highly anticipated global comeback—seeks out Sam (Michaela Coel), a friend and designer she had long since abandoned, in search of the one and only dress that will complete her transformation.

Officially invited to the 31st Busan International Film Festival, ‘Mother Mary’ has garnered significant interest from prospective audiences even before its release, with tickets for its first domestic premiere selling out quickly.

“Mother Mary” is set to be released this November.