[Edaily Reporter YUN GI BACK ] CJ ENM CO., Ltd.(035760)has been achieving successive successes in recouping production costs for Korean films through the sale of overseas distribution rights. Following Director Park Chan-wook’s *I Can’t Help It*, Director Yeon Sang-ho’s low-budget film *Paradise Lost* also recouped its net production costs solely through overseas sales prior to its domestic release.

According to the film industry on the 21st, “Paradise Lost,” which opened that day, was sold to 118 countries overseas and generated revenue exceeding 500 million won in net production costs. Contracts were signed even before its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival last September, and additional sales continued even after the screening.
“Paradise Lost” is a psychological thriller directed by Yeon, completed in just 14 days of filming. The story follows the events that unfold when a son who went missing nine years ago returns, starring Kim Hyun-joo and Bae Hyun-sung.
The driving forces behind this success are Director Yeon’s global recognition and CJ ENM CO., Ltd.’s international sales capabilities. CJ ENM CO., Ltd. leveraged the global network it has built through the overseas sales and distribution of various Korean films to secure deals even before the film’s release. A CJ ENM CO., Ltd. official explained, “This is the result of the overseas market’s trust in Director Yeon Sang-ho’s cinematic universe, the power of the film’s original story, and CJ ENM CO., Ltd.’s global business competitiveness.”
Last year, CJ ENM CO., Ltd. also pre-sold Director Park Chan-wook’s *I Can’t Help It* to over 200 countries, covering its net production cost of 17 billion won. By achieving successive successes with both blockbusters and low-budget films, the company has demonstrated its competitiveness in overseas distribution.
These achievements take on added significance given the slump in the domestic theater market. According to the Korean Film Council, box office revenue for Korean films last year fell 39.4% to 419.1 billion won, largely due to the absence of any films that drew 10 million viewers. In contrast, export revenue for completed films rose 19.9% to $50.28 million (approximately 66.7 billion won), driven by growing demand in Asia. This explains why overseas markets are gaining attention as new revenue streams amid the slump in domestic box office performance.
An industry insider stated, “Going forward, the capabilities of distribution companies—which have secured global distribution networks and the trust of buyers—will be a key factor in determining a film’s profitability.”