‘Squid Game’ Star to lead Korean Horror Film ‘App The Horror’
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A chilling new Korean horror film, “app The Horror,” starring Anupam Tripathi of “Squid Game” fame, is currently in post-production and poised for a wide theatrical release in South Korea in February 2026. The project, an omnibus film comprised of segments linked by a central, terrifying premise, was a prominent offering at the recent American Film Market (AFM).
A Digital descent into Fear
The film centers around a mysterious request that transforms digital anxieties into tangible,real-world horrors. This concept, according to industry observers, taps into a pervasive fear in the modern age. “It’s been a long time as we’ve seen a bold and original Asian omnibus horror,” a senior official stated, highlighting the film’s potential to resonate with audiences.
The feature is directed by eight emerging Korean filmmakers and produced by Hyung Seul-woo, known for his work on “Someone You Loved” (2023). It is presented by Anthology21, a newly established Korean company founded by industry veterans Jin Lee and Jennie Moon. Also starring in “App The Horror” is Lim Ye-eun, recognized for her role in “You and Everything Else.”
The film’s sales are being handled strategically, with Hong kong-based autumn Sun managing distribution rights in Asia and Russia, while Anthology21 is overseeing the rest of the world. This approach reflects a nuanced understanding of the current entertainment landscape.
One analyst noted that horror remains a consistently strong genre in Asia, despite increasing competition from streaming platforms and the growing popularity of short-form vertical video content. “What makes this project especially invigorating is that it’s set against something so ubiquitous and so woven into daily life as the apps we all use,” the analyst explained.
Jin Lee of Anthology21 echoed this sentiment, stating, “We’re excited to introduce a Korean horror film built on such a clear and distinctive concept, especially one that speaks directly to the MZ generation. The film turns today’s digital habits into raw,immediate fear,and that tension intensifies even further on the big screen. it’s a fresh, contemporary horror experience meant to be truly felt in theaters.”
Expanding Global Reach for Asian Animation
Beyond “App The Horror,” Autumn Sun also saw success at AFM with several animated projects. Deals were finalized for the Chinese animation “Bear Kids to super Hero” with distributors in Russia/CIS (Kinologistica), Taiwan (Moviecloud), and Colombia (Trompetero Producciones / Dragon Fruit). the company also secured distribution for the sequel to the animated dinosaur feature, “I Am T-Rex 2,” with Well Go USA, following their acquisition of the original film for North America.
Autumn Sun continued sales on “Happy Little Submarine: Adventure Island,” the 11th installment in the popular Chinese franchise,securing deals in Turkey (Alfa Fortuna) and Russia/CIS (Kinologistica). “China produces animated features across a wide range of budgets,” said Elliot Tong, Head of Sales and Acquisitions for Autumn Sun. “While groundbreaking top titles such as Nezha 2 continue to enjoy a global market, we’re encouraged to see that smaller-scale titles featuring non-culturally-specific characters are also finding strong opportunities outside Asia.”
The success of these projects at AFM underscores the growing international demand for diverse and innovative content from Asia, especially in the horror and animation genres.
