Warner Bros. is reimagining one of its most beloved workplace comedies for a whole new audience. The studio has officially begun filming a Korean remake of the 2015 Nancy Meyers hit The Intern, which famously paired Robert De Niro with Anne Hathaway in a heartwarming story about mentorship, ageing, and ambition.
The new version is shooting in Seoul under the direction of Kim Do-young, the filmmaker behind the acclaimed feminist drama Kim Ji-young: Born 1982. Legendary actor Choi Min-sik, best known internationally for his unforgettable role in Park Chan-wook’s Oldboy, takes on the part made iconic by De Niro. Playing opposite him is rising global star Han So-hee, who steps into Hathaway’s shoes as a young CEO balancing business pressures with personal challenges. Han’s breakout in The World of the Married and subsequent roles in Netflix’s My Name and Disney+’s Soundtrack #1 have cemented her status as one of Korea’s most bankable stars.
The remake is co-produced by Warner Bros. Korea, JOAT Films, and Anthology Studios, marking the first project to emerge from Warner Bros. Discovery’s first-look pact with longtime Asia executive Jack Nguyen. Filming kicked off in September and is expected to continue through December.
The choice to remake The Intern in Korea is no coincidence. The original Hollywood version was a surprise box office hit in the country, grossing $24 million locally, proving that its themes of intergenerational connection and workplace comedy resonate strongly with Korean audiences.
This move also highlights Warner Bros. Discovery’s strategy of expanding local-language remakes of its Hollywood properties to capture growing markets in Asia. With recent box office dominance in Korea thanks to F1 starring Brad Pitt and ongoing competition from anime juggernaut Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, the studio is aiming to deepen its foothold in the region.
Choi Min-sik’s veteran presence paired with Han So-hee’s rising international fame suggests Warner Bros. is betting big on this cross-cultural adaptation. Fans of both stars, as well as lovers of the original film, will be watching closely to see how The Intern is reshaped through a distinctly Korean lens.
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