CJ E&M Produced International Remakes of Sunny
The South Korean film studio adapted its 2011 hit Sunny for international markets in Vietnam, Japan, and the U.S.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Foreign
Live Poll
Do you prefer watching local-language film remakes over dubbed or subtitled international versions?
CJ E&M expanded its localization production strategy by developing international remakes of its 2011 South Korean film Sunny. These versions include a Vietnamese adaptation titled Splendid Days and a Japanese project titled Sunny: Strong Feelings, Strong Love.
Why it matters
The company relies on universal themes such as friendship, school memories, and music to ensure the stories resonate with global audiences. This localization strategy allows the studio to adapt content specifically for different cultural markets through local partnerships.
The original film Sunny was released in 2011. Previous successful localization by the studio includes Miss Granny, which generated 78 billion won in box office revenue.
The players
CJ E&M
This major South Korean entertainment and retail company specializes in film production, broadcasting, and music content.
Nguyen Quang
He is the director tasked with helming the Vietnamese adaptation of the film.
Hitoshi Ohne
He is the director responsible for the Japanese version of the film.
CJ HK Entertainment
This entity acts as the local production partner for the Vietnamese version of the film.
RatPac Entertainment
This production company is partnering with CJ E&M to develop the American version of the screenplay.
The details
CJ E&M partners with local studios to produce these adaptations, such as collaborating with CJ HK Entertainment for the Vietnamese version directed by Nguyen Quang. For the American version, the company is working with RatPac Entertainment to develop the screenplay before beginning casting.
Timeline
The original South Korean film Sunny was released in 2011.
Filming for the Vietnamese version began in July 2026.
Filming for the Japanese version started in October 2026.
The Vietnamese and Japanese versions are scheduled for release in 2027.
Industry Dynamics
The project follows the established CJ E&M localization production strategy, which previously proved successful with the film Miss Granny. This approach allows studios to replicate the success of original IP by partnering with local entities to cater to specific regional audiences.
Audiences in Vietnam and Japan can expect theatrical releases of their local versions in 2027. Fans awaiting the American version must wait until the screenplay is completed before casting details and release dates are finalized.
The takeaway
The successful replication of emotional narratives across cultures demonstrates that specific themes like youth and friendship possess global appeal. Studios looking to expand internationally can utilize these localized remakes as a reliable framework for market penetration.
Further reading
Learn more about global film distribution in the Foreign section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 한겨레신문.
Live Poll
Do you prefer watching local-language film remakes over dubbed or subtitled international versions?
