Indonesia/Korea
Korean Hit ‘Descendants of the Sun’ Gets Indonesian Film Remake, Set for 2027 Release: The internationally popular Korean drama Descendants of the Sun is set to receive a major Indonesian adaptation, with a new feature film scheduled for theatrical release in 2027.
Tentatively titled Descendants of the Sun Indonesia, the film has completed principal photography and is currently in post-production. South Korean production company Next Entertainment World (NEW), which produced the original 2016 drama, is participating in the project’s planning and co-production, marking a deeper expansion of Korean intellectual property into international filmmaking.
From Korean Drama to Indonesian Cinema
The original Descendants of the Sun, starring Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo, became one of the defining Korean dramas of the 2010s. The series follows the relationship between a soldier and a doctor as they confront love, duty and life-threatening situations in an unfamiliar and challenging environment.
When it aired in South Korea in 2016, the drama reached a peak viewership rating of 38.8 per cent, while its popularity extended across Asia and helped strengthen the global reach of Korean television.
The Indonesian film will retain the central premise of the original story while adapting the narrative to Indonesian settings, culture and local sensibilities.
Hanung Bramantyo to Direct
The adaptation will be directed by Hanung Bramantyo, one of Indonesia’s most prominent filmmakers and a two-time Best Director winner at the Indonesian Film Festival.
Bramantyo previously directed Indonesia’s highly successful remake of NEW’s Miracle in Cell No. 7, which became one of the country’s major box-office successes. That project subsequently expanded into additional Indonesian adaptations, including an animated production.
The success of Miracle in Cell No. 7 appears to have provided an important foundation for NEW’s latest Indonesian collaboration.
Reza Rahadian and Dian Sastrowardoyo Lead the Cast
The Indonesian version will star two of the country’s leading actors, Reza Rahadian and Dian Sastrowardoyo.
Rahadian has established himself as one of Indonesia’s most acclaimed actors, while Sastrowardoyo has gained international exposure, including through Netflix’s Indonesian series Cigarette Girl.
Their casting gives the remake a strong local star presence while allowing the familiar story to be reinterpreted for Indonesian audiences.
NEW Expands K-Content Through Co-Production
The project represents a significant evolution in the international business model for Korean entertainment companies.
Rather than simply licensing remake rights, NEW is participating directly in planning and production, effectively moving from content exporter to international co-producer. The company has described the project as part of an effort to expand the global business scope of Korean content from the planning stage through co-production.
The strategy reflects the growing international demand for locally adapted versions of successful Asian intellectual properties.
Indonesian Culture at the Centre
While the original Korean series was built around its Korean military and medical setting, the Indonesian adaptation is expected to incorporate local environments and cultural perspectives.
The project was publicly introduced at Ideafest 2026 in Jakarta during a session titled “Descendants of the Sun, Localized: When Global Stories Find Local Souls.” Bramantyo and the two lead actors participated in the event, presenting the project as an example of how globally recognised stories can be reinterpreted through local creative talent.
Aiming for Indonesia and South Korea
The film is scheduled to open in Indonesian cinemas in 2027, with plans also to bring the production to South Korean audiences.
Contents Panda, NEW’s content distribution affiliate, is expected to handle distribution and release in South Korea, giving the Indonesian production an opportunity to travel back to the market where the original franchise began.
The project therefore represents a two-way cultural exchange: a Korean story adapted by Indonesian filmmakers and actors, supported by the original Korean production company and subsequently introduced to audiences in both countries.
A New Model for Asian Cinema
The remake comes at a time when Asian entertainment industries are increasingly collaborating across national borders. Korean dramas have established substantial international audiences, while Indonesia has developed one of Southeast Asia’s most active film and entertainment markets.
With Descendants of the Sun Indonesia, the producers are betting that a proven Korean story, Indonesian cultural identity and local star power can combine to create a film with appeal well beyond a conventional remake.
If successful, the project could provide another model for how Asian intellectual property can be localised, co-produced and distributed across multiple markets, further blurring the traditional boundaries between K-drama, Indonesian cinema and the wider global entertainment industry.
