South Korean auteur Kang Hyeong-cheol, celebrated for box-office hits like Sunny and Scandal Makers, delivers his latest action-comedy spectacle Hi-Five, which rockets from domestic success to a multi-territory debut this June. Centering on five strangers who, after receiving organ transplants from a mysterious donor, awaken extraordinary powers, the film blends slapstick humor with superhero thrills against the backdrop of high-stakes chases by a sinister cult leader determined to steal their abilities. Bolstered by a dynamic ensemble—including Lee Jae-in, Ahn Jae-hong, Ra Mi-ran, Kim Hee-won, Yoo Ah-in, Oh Jung-se, and Park Jin-young—Hi-Five promises a riotous ride of camaraderie, chaos, and heartfelt teamwork as it lands in theaters in Asia and North America.
Release Schedule by Country
Hi-Five, which premiered domestically on May 30, 2025, will follow this international itinerary:
- June 6, 2025: Cambodia
- June 12, 2025: Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei
- June 13, 2025: Indonesia, Vietnam, Taiwan, East Timor
- June 19, 2025: Hong Kong, Macau
- June 20, 2025: United States, Canada
These 13 territories mark a broad Asia-Pacific and North American release, reflecting growing global demand for Korean comedy films.
- image Credit The Korea Herald
Synopsis
Hi-Five follows five strangers who, after receiving organ transplants from a mysterious donor, unexpectedly acquire diverse superpowers. As they discover shared markings that link their fates, the unlikely team must navigate humorous clashes of personality and power while evading a sinister cult leader who seeks to absorb their abilities for his own dark ambitions.
Cast and Crew
- Director & Writer: Kang Hyeong-cheol
- Lead Cast:
- Lee Jae-in as Park Wan-seo, a Taekwondo champion with super strength
- Ahn Jae-hong as Park Ji-sung, an aspiring writer with extended breath control
- Ra Mi-ran as Kim Sun-nyeo, who can absorb and transfer powers by touch
- Kim Hee-won as Huh Yak-sun, a healer with restorative abilities
- Yoo Ah-in as Hwang Ki-dong, gifted with electromagnetic vision
- Oh Jung-se as Park Jong-min (Wan-seo’s protective father)
- Park Jin-young as Seo Young-chun, the cult leader-turned-antagonist
International Distribution
Seoul-based sales agent Contents Panda has secured distribution in North America (Well Go USA), Japan (Klockworx), Taiwan (Movie Cloud), and beyond, including Vietnam, Indonesia, Mongolia, and in-flight entertainment services. Hong Kong’s Edko Films anticipates a strong regional performance, noting heightened interest in Korean comedies after recent hits.
Significance and Expectations
With Hi-Five poised to hit screens across Asia and North America, industry observers view the simultaneous release as a strategic move to capitalize on the global K-entertainment wave. Early presales indicate robust audience curiosity, and distributors anticipate that the film’s blend of action, humor, and heartfelt teamwork will resonate widely.
As Hi-Five embarks on its international journey, it highlights the continued expansion of Korean cinema beyond domestic borders, delivering a fresh blend of genre-bending fun to theaters worldwide.
