The South Korean film company Barunson E&A, best known for producing Bong Joon Ho’s Oscar-winning movie Parasite, is broadening its international operations through a new partnership with the rapidly growing Indonesian studio Imajinari.
Under the terms of the agreement, Barunson E&A will now handle the international remake rights for three of Imajinari’s successful films: the popular horror-comedy Agak Laen, its upcoming sequel, and the dark comedy titled Tinggal Meninggal.
This strategic move indicates Barunson E&A’s ambition to expand beyond traditional co-productions and international sales, venturing into the licensing of remake rights. The company is particularly focused on the burgeoning film market in Southeast Asia.
Imajinari, established in 2021 by the comedian and director Ernest Prakasa, along with his manager Dipa Andika, under the umbrella of the talent agency Hahaha Corp, has quickly become recognised as a dynamic and innovative studio in Indonesia.
The studio gained significant attention with its debut film in 2022, Ngeri-Ngeri Sedap, which attracted 2.8 million admissions, making it the fourth highest-grossing local film in Indonesia that year.
Their 2024 hit, Agak Laen, which originated from a well-known podcast, tells the story of a group of unconventional individuals whose unconvincing haunted house attraction unexpectedly becomes genuinely haunted, leading to a viral sensation. The film achieved remarkable box office success with over 9.1 million admissions, becoming Indonesia’s most successful comedy film to date and the second-highest performing local film in terms of overall admissions.
Ernest Prakasa, the founder of Imajinari, commented on the partnership, saying: “Our philosophy has always been about telling original stories in ways that surprise and engage the audience. It’s exciting to collaborate with Barunson E&A and see how our creativity can be reimagined through remakes around the world.”
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Before the release of Agak Laen 2, directed once again by Muhadkly Acho and scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2025, Imajinari will release Tinggal Meninggal in August. This dark comedy, currently in the post-production stage, follows the character of Gema, a lonely man whose minor lies, intended to gain attention from his colleagues, escalate into increasingly complex situations.
Since the launch of its international division in 2022, Barunson E&A has actively sought to expand its global presence. The company has already been involved in several Indonesian film productions, including the action thriller 13 Bombs by Visinema Pictures, the horror film Respati by Base Entertainment, and the musical reboot Rangga & Cinta, directed by the experienced filmmaker Riri Riza and produced by Miles Films.
Yoonhee Choi, CEO of Barunson E&A, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating: “With Imajinari, we see a studio that excels at telling deeply relatable stories – about family, love, and human connection – but with fresh and entertaining perspectives. We’re excited to introduce their unique IPs to global audiences and share creative voices that deserve wider recognition.”
