
Artist Studio, led by acclaimed actor Lee Jung Jae, has signed a planning and development agreement with Imaginarium Productions—one of the UK’s leading production companies—to co-develop a global K-pop spy film, signaling an ambitious push into the international market.
The two companies are joining forces to bring the working-titled 'Secret Idol' to life—a live-action film that blends the world of K-pop with teen spy action. The story follows a secret agent who infiltrates the K-pop industry undercover as a trainee, navigating fierce competition behind glamorous stages while taking on a global crime syndicate. The project promises a unique and unprecedented universe, merging the high-stakes realism of the K-pop industry with the thrilling tension of youth espionage.
Artist Studio and Imaginarium Productions are collaborating from the early stages of story development, also coordinating on production strategies. Discussions are currently underway regarding Hollywood casting, global distribution, and the expansion of international production partnerships.
Imaginarium Productions was co-founded in 2011 by Andy Serkis—the actor-director best known for playing Gollum in 'The Lord of the Rings' and Caesar in 'Planet of the Apes'—and Jonathan Cavendish, producer of the 'Bridget Jones' film series. Known for its expertise in performance capture and tech-driven storytelling, Imaginarium is currently preparing 'The Hunt for Gollum', a 'Lord of the Rings' prequel with Warner Bros.
Artist Studio is the content production division of Artist Group, which was recently rebranded as a comprehensive entertainment company spearheaded by global star Lee Jung Jae. The studio has gained attention for establishing an all-in-one system that oversees everything from content development and production to broadcasting and distribution.
A representative from Artist Studio stated, “'Secret Idol' is an innovative project that showcases the global scalability of Korean content, especially K-pop. Through our partnership with Imaginarium, we aim to deliver a story with universal appeal and commercial viability that resonates with international audiences.”