Buyer Database · Production Company · Updated

Barunson E&A

Barunson E&A is a Korean production and financing company actively expanding into international genre content, with a focus on Southeast Asian horror and thriller projects for global co-production.

Current mandate

Barunson E&A is in an active international expansion phase, having launched dedicated international sales and production/financing arms since October 2022. The company's strategic position sits at the intersection of Korean production infrastructure and Southeast Asian genre content, with a particular appetite for horror, zombie, and supernatural thriller material that carries proven local audience connection and can travel globally. What distinguishes Barunson E&A from peers is its willingness to invest directly in non-Korean productions: the company secured sales rights to Giddens Ko's Miss Shampoo, its first non-Korean title, and invested in Indonesian thriller 13 Bombs, directed by Angga Dwimas Sasongko. The company has stated it will aggressively seek more projects around the world to finance and co-produce. It places no restrictions on format, genre, or language for international projects.

On the domestic side, Barunson E&A's upcoming slate includes the next two features from Parasite director Bong Joon-ho, alongside projects from directors Kim Sung-hoon and Um Tae-hwa. This combination of marquee Korean talent and outward-facing international investment signals a company building toward a dual-track model: prestige domestic production paired with genre-driven international co-production.

Writers and producers with Southeast Asian genre projects, particularly horror or thriller material with demonstrated local market traction, are the clearest fit for Barunson E&A's current international mandate. The company's international operations arm is the primary access point, and the company has publicly signaled it is actively soliciting global projects.

Signature peaks

  • Oct 2022 International Expansion Launch — International sales and production/financing arms launched
  • Miss Shampoo First Non-Korean Acquisition — Sales rights secured for Giddens Ko's film, first non-Korean title
  • 13 Bombs Southeast Asia Investment — Direct investment in Indonesian thriller directed by Angga Dwimas Sasongko

Mandate dimensions

Genre focus
horror, zombie
Territory focus
international
Budget tier (observed)
Not disclosed
Access pattern
Barunson E&A's international operations arm, launched since October 2022, is the designated entry point for non-Korean projects. The company is active at international film markets and has publicly stated it is seeking global co-production and financing opportunities. Introductions through sales agents with Korean industry ties, or direct market meetings at Cannes, AFM, or Busan, are the most documented pathways.
Deal structure
Barunson E&A engages internationally through direct investment (as with 13 Bombs) and sales rights acquisition (as with Miss Shampoo). Co-production and co-financing are the stated preferred structures for international projects. The company places no stated restrictions on format, genre, or language for international deals.

Market context

"Barunson E&A will continue to work with leading filmmakers in Korea while international operations actively seek opportunities to join global projects with world-renowned and up-and-coming talent, placing no restrictions on format, genre, and language."

Reflects growing trend of Korean production companies acquiring international IP and genre content for global distribution

Common questions about Barunson E&A

Does Barunson E&A accept unsolicited submissions?

Barunson E&A has publicly stated it is aggressively seeking projects around the world to finance and co-produce, and that its international operations place no restrictions on format, genre, or language. This open posture suggests the company is receptive to inbound pitches, particularly from Southeast Asian genre filmmakers. That said, no formal unsolicited submissions policy has been publicly documented. Approaching through industry markets such as AFM, Cannes, or through established sales agents is the most reliable pathway.

How does Barunson E&A attach to and develop international projects?

Barunson E&A engages internationally through direct investment and sales rights acquisition rather than traditional development deals. Its investment in Indonesian thriller 13 Bombs and its acquisition of sales rights to Miss Shampoo illustrate a model where the company enters projects at the financing or sales stage. The company's international production and financing arm, launched since October 2022, is the operational vehicle for these attachments. Co-production with local talent appears to be the preferred structure.

What is Barunson E&A currently producing?

Barunson E&A's upcoming slate includes the next two features from Parasite director Bong Joon-ho, as well as projects from directors Kim Sung-hoon and Um Tae-hwa. On the international side, the company has invested in Indonesian thriller 13 Bombs, directed by Angga Dwimas Sasongko, and secured sales rights to Giddens Ko's Miss Shampoo. The company has indicated it is actively seeking additional international projects to finance and co-produce.

Who leads Barunson E&A's international operations?

ScriptMatch tracks 17 decision makers at Barunson E&A, though specific names and titles for the international operations arm have not been detailed in available public reporting. The company launched a dedicated international sales and production/financing division since October 2022. For the most current leadership contacts, industry databases such as IMDbPro or direct outreach via market directories are recommended, as personnel in newly launched divisions can shift quickly.

How do you get a project to Barunson E&A?

Barunson E&A's international operations arm is the primary access point for non-Korean projects. The company has been active at international film markets since launching its global expansion in October 2022, making markets such as Cannes, AFM, and Asian-focused events like Busan's Asian Project Market practical venues for introductions. The company has signaled openness to projects from both established and emerging talent globally. Routing through a sales agent with existing Korean industry relationships is likely to accelerate consideration.

Is Barunson E&A actively acquiring right now?

Activity metrics show 32 total records over the past 12 months and 17 decision makers tracked, with the latest signal recorded in April 2026. No new deals have been logged in the most recent 30 or 90-day windows, though the company's public statements indicate an ongoing mandate to finance and co-produce international projects. The absence of recent logged deals may reflect a gap in public reporting rather than a pause in activity, given the company's stated aggressive acquisition posture.

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Related reading

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