More than ten years after its debut, the crime action film Inside Men is preparing for a major return to the screen. The project, which had previously been planned as a television drama adaptation, will now be remade as a three-part film series.
On March 16, production company Hive Media Corp confirmed that the new version of Inside Men will be produced as a trilogy. The project has already entered the pre-production stage, with plans to begin filming soon once the main cast is finalized.
The upcoming films will be directed by Kim Min Beom and Kim Jin Seok. Kim Min Beom previously worked as an assistant director on the historical thriller 12.12: The Day, while Kim Jin Seok served as assistant director on films such as Harbin and Veteran. Kim Jin Seok also participated in adapting the Disney+ original series Made in Korea, bringing additional experience in large-scale productions.
According to the production schedule, the first and second films of the trilogy are expected to be filmed simultaneously this year, while the third installment is planned for production next year. If preparations proceed as scheduled, filming could begin in the first half of this year.
The remake was originally announced as a drama project featuring Song Kang Ho, Koo Kyo Hwan, and director Mo Wan Il. However, the plan was eventually canceled, leading the producers to shift the story back to the big screen in the form of a film series.
In terms of casting, Lee Sung Min is currently reported to be in talks to play the influential figure Lee Kang Hee, a role originally portrayed by Baek Yoon Shik in the 2015 film and previously offered to Song Kang Ho during the drama adaptation stage. Meanwhile, Ju Ji Hoon had reportedly been offered the role of Ahn Sang Goo, a character originally played by Lee Byung Hun. The role was first proposed to Koo Kyo Hwan before being offered to Ju Ji Hoon, but recent reports indicate that Ju Ji Hoon has declined the offer and instead chosen to focus on the upcoming drama Buy King.
The original Inside Men was based on a webtoon created by Yoon Tae Ho, also known for Misaeng. Set in the late 1980s, the story explores the hidden networks of corruption connecting the media, corporate capital, and political power. Through its intense narrative and sharp social commentary, the film examined how powerful insiders manipulate systems for personal gain.
Upon its release in 2015, Inside Men became a major success and eventually set the record as the highest-grossing R-rated film in the history of the Korean box office. With the story now returning in the form of a large-scale trilogy, the project is expected to once again draw attention for its portrayal of power, corruption, and political intrigue.
