Barunson E&A will handle international sales for a new Indonesian film adaptation of “Descendants of the Sun,” launching the project at the Asian Contents & Film Market in Busan, according to reports from Dapur Film. The big-screen reimagining of the 2016 Korean drama series stars Reza Rahadian and Dian Sastrowardoyo, with production already wrapped on both parts of the film following back-to-back shoots.
Cast and Creative Team Behind the Indonesian Reimagining
The feature film pairs Reza Rahadian and Dian Sastrowardoyo as the main romantic leads, supported by Eva Celia and Yoshi Sudarso as second leads, according to Dapur Film. Director Hanung Bramantyo helms the project from a script written by Haqi Achmad. Bramantyo previously directed “Miracle in Cell No. 7,” an Indonesian adaptation of a Korean film that stands as the country’s eighth-highest-grossing domestic release.
Rahadian brings international acclaim to the project, with credits including “Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash,” which won the Golden Leopard at Locarno. Sastrowardoyo recently starred in Netflix’s “Cigarette Girl” and “The Fox King,” a Toronto Film Festival premiere.
Adapting a Global Hit for Local Audiences
Unlike the original 16-episode television series that debuted in 2016, the Indonesian production condenses the narrative into a feature-film format. According to Dapur Film, the project is a free adaptation rather than a scene-by-scene remake, tailoring the setting and social reality to an Indonesian context. The story retains its central narrative tension: the clash and dynamic between military personnel tasked with national security and medical professionals focused on saving lives, adjusted to feel closer to domestic viewers.
Did you know? The original 2016 “Descendants of the Sun” television series achieved a 38.8% rating in its home market and recorded over two billion streams on iQIYI after becoming the first Korean drama to air simultaneously in China.
Production Backing and International Distribution
The adaptation represents a large-scale collaboration between Indonesian and South Korean companies. Dapur Film partners with South Korean studios including NEW (Next Entertainment World), the original intellectual property holder, alongside Barunson C&C, Tobali Putra Productions, NEWKO, and Barunson E&A. In South Korea, Contents Panda will manage domestic distribution, while Barunson E&A controls global licensing.
“We see the strength of the Korean IP as a starting point, not an endpoint,” said Barunson E&A CEO Yoonhee Choi. “This adaptation places that globally recognized story under a different sun, in an Indonesian landscape with a local sensibility all its own.” Woosik Seo, CEO of Barunson C&C and executive producer, added that the director honored the original spirit while creating a distinctly Indonesian story.
Release Timeline and Market Strategy
With principal photography completed, the film is currently in post-production. The project headlines an ACFM sales slate for Barunson E&A that also includes “Satan’s Slaves: Origin,” “Stoneborn,” and “Ugly Duckling Ms. Maeng.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Who stars in the Indonesian film adaptation of “Descendants of the Sun”?
The film stars Reza Rahadian and Dian Sastrowardoyo in the lead roles, with Eva Celia and Yoshi Sudarso rounding out the main cast as second leads, according to production details.
Who is directing the movie?
Indonesian box office director Hanung Bramantyo directs the film, utilizing a screenplay written by Haqi Achmad.
When will the film be released in theaters?
Part One of the adaptation is scheduled for an Indonesian theatrical release by mid-2027, following the completion of its back-to-back shoot and current post-production phase.
Who is handling international sales for the project?
Barunson E&A is managing international sales and global licensing, launching the project at the Asian Contents & Film Market in Busan.
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