What happens when a rising K-pop phenomenon trades the live stage for the silver screen?
Can an Olympic gold medalist, known for his speed and strength, truly reinvent himself as an actor?
And might a story of love, loss and second chances inspire bonds between two cultures that resonate, allowing those universal emotions to still come through?
These are the questions currently swirling around The Haunted House, a rare Korean–Japanese co-production that has quickly race to one of the most talked-about upcoming films in Asia. Confirmed to star Dex (Kim Jin-young) and Olympic skeleton champion Yoon Sung-bin, The Haunted House is being positioned as not just a romance, but a cultural exchange in fantasy and heart.
Project Overview
The film, officially titled The Haunted House, also known as Ghost House, is directed by Jo Chang-geun, who is known for his skillful balance of emotion with stunning visuals.
What makes it interesting is the literary basis: it is based on a short story by the famously popular Japanese writer Banana Yoshimoto (Kitchen and Lizard are already extremely popular in Korea).
The genre is a combination of fantasy romance and gourmet, while exploring themes of life and death, freedom and destiny, while examining the bittersweet intersections of love and loss.
Confirmed Cast & Characters
Kim Jin-young (Dex) as Yoon Sung: Rising actor & idol Dex steps into the shoes of a man who appears to be aloof, but has a heart of gold, and he will take this action seriously. After a breakout in Tarot at the Cannes International Series, he has the opportunity to expand his acting ability here even further.
Choo So-jung (WJSN) as Se-jeong: Choo So-jung is best known for her balancing act between being an idol and acting, having already found success as an actress on the side. Here she plays Se-jeong, an honest yet practical responsibility-seeker. Her portrayal will add all much-needed vulnerability and strength to the story.
Park Hae-rin as Joo-hyun: As a rookie, Park Hae-rin has already created some waves with her performances on Tarot and When Silver Bell Rings. She plays Joo-hyun, a high-energy, leader-type, character who brings the energy to hopefully keep the storyline energized.
Yoon Sung-bin as Min-su: aka world-class Olympic skeleton gold medalist Yoon Sung-bin, Yoon Sung-bin makes his acting debut as Min-su, Se-jeong’s pottery instructor and previous lover. His move from sports star to screen star is already creating waves with audiences and critics alike.
Why This Casting Matters
Dex’s Trajectory: Dex is on an incredible path from unknown idol to Cannes-recognized actor. He is leaving no doubt about his versatility.
Yoon Sung-bin’s Leap: It will be interesting to see audiences embrace an Olympic star in a role he never intended. He transforms from an Olympic hero to a film star.
Interdisciplinary Cooperation: Music, sports, and acting are all coming together, making the cast a unique blend of experience, and talents very very few people ever see at the same time.
Mix of Established Stars with Newer Talent: You have established star talent like Dex and Choo So-jung, and then a new group of talent with immense potential and experience. There is a balance of newfound cred to credibility and complete surprise and innovativeness.
Plot & Themes
At its core The Haunted House is not only about love and romance, but connections that shape human life. The narrative is told through encounters and separations that also weave-in love, grief, memory, and healing.
What makes this film unique is the gourmet-fantasy connotation, where food and taste act as emotional metaphors, connecting characters through a spectrum of emotions from joy to sadness.
With elements of Japanese literary traditions and Korean cinematic style, the film sees itself as a story with a universal appeal that should resonate with audiences outside of Asia.
Production & Release Plans
The film is produced by Film Sajoa, an intense producing and production company known for works such as Memories of a Dead End and Ghost of Oksu Station, and their involvement suggests a project produced with artistry and ambition.
As a large-scale collaboration, the film represents the growing trend of cross-border productions and co-productions between Korea and Japan aimed toward the global audience.
The Haunted House is currently planned to release in late 2026, first for Korea and Japan, and then eventually rolled out to audiences through international streaming platforms.
Global Appeal & Expectations
Korean–Japanese collaborations have been on the rise, and this project has its place in that trend. With Banana Yoshimoto’s name recognition and a cast that combines established stars with freshness, this film is capturing lens on an international level.
Critics think the film could potentially be festival bait while having strong prospects for global streaming distribution. Fantasy, food film, and heartfelt romance is an alchemical combination that makes appetite appeal to both niche cineaste’s and mainstream viewers alike.
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Conclusion
The Haunted House is not just a film; it stands for collective action, transformation, and transcendent storytelling.
By bringing together a world-renowned K-pop star with an Olympic gold medalist turned actor, and a retelling of a well-loved story written by a Japanese author that has been envisioned within Korean film, The Haunted House will be recognized as something that is both new and meaningful.
With Dex and Yoon Sung-bin ahead of the team, along with Choo So-jung and Park Hae-rin, this fantasy romance has every potential of being one of the biggest successes in Asia in 2026 — and a story for everyone across the globe.
