Korean sci-fi bestseller ‘A Thousand Blues’ is heading to Hollywood with Warner Bros., who will adapt Cheon Seon-ran’s acclaimed novel for a global audience.
Korean sci-fi is back with a bang making waves in the global entertainment industry. Cheon Seon-ran’s ‘A Thousand Blues’ is going to land on the Hollywood silver screen.
The announcement of the film adaptation of Korean sci-fi with Warner Bros. Pictures came from the literary imprint of Seoul-based East-Asia Publishing, Hubble. It is a highlight of how Cheon’s narrative is going to go global but on a screen. The content is going to be promising to resonate with viewers far beyond the Korean peninsula.
The Korean sci-fi novel is “now on track to meet a global audience on screen.”
– Hubble, Seoul-based East-Asia Publishing
The iconic Hollywood studio was reportedly captivated by the novel’s ‘original and compelling’ storytelling. This speaks volumes about the universal themes and unique voices that have already made ‘A Thousand Blues’ a literary sensation in Korea.
Hubble also gave a hint about who could possibly be considered for director for this Korean adaptation. The list of potential directors includes critically acclaimed filmmakers. Some of these are Celine Song, the visionary behind “Past Lives”; Greta Gerwig, famous for her masterful work on “Little Woman” and “Barbie“; and Alfonso Cuaron, the Oscar-winning director of masterpieces like “Roma” and “Gravity.”
The potential of such directorial talent showcases the importance of artistic ambition surrounding this project.
‘A Thousand Blues’ by Cheon Seon-ran, a Korean Sci-Fi turning into Warner Bros. production
Set in the near future of 2035, ‘A Thousand Blues’ paints a vivid picture of a world where humanoid robots are seamlessly integrated into everyday life. However, at its core lies a deeply human (and perhaps, humanoid) story. The narrative centers around Collie, a humanoid jockey nearing the end of its functional lifespan, and its aging racehorse, Today, who faces the grim prospect of euthanasia due to failing joints.
Their journey towards an uncertain future takes an unexpected turn as their lives become intertwined with a mother and her two daughters, who step in to offer help and compassion. Through their intertwined fates, the novel delicately explores profound themes of grief and healing. It also showcases the often-overlooked importance of slowing down in a relentlessly fast-paced and performance-driven world.
Critically acclaimed Korean sci-fi book
Cheon Seon-ran’s Korean sci-fi, ‘A Thousand Blues,’ published in 2020, has become a huge hit in Korea, not only with readers but also critics. It won the Grand Prize at the 4th Korea Science Fiction Awards and has sold over 200,000 copies in Korea!
The story’s powerful message has also touched hearts in different languages, with translation rights sold to over ten countries. Readers in Japan, Germany, Taiwan, China, and the United Kingdom have already felt the emotional depth of ‘A Thousand Blues,’
It’s even adapted into a stage play & musical
The story’s natural theatricality has caught the attention of Korea’s thriving arts scene. In 2024, ‘A Thousand Blues’ was transformed into a stage play, first by the National Theater Company of Korea. Later it was also turned into a moving musical by the Seoul Performing Arts Company. These adaptations further emphasize the novel’s powerful emotional impact and its ability to resonate with audiences across various forms of entertainment.
For those who aren’t familiar with Cheon Seon-ran
She is one of the most beloved authors among the MZ generation in South Korea. Fan of sci-fi and fantasy, her debut novel was Broken Bridge in 2019. Since then, she has penned down three more with ‘A Thousand Blues’ becoming an award-winning title.
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