Descendants of the Sun to Be Remade as Indonesian Film for 2027

One of K-drama’s best-known hits is headed for a new screen life in Indonesia.

SBS reports that “Descendants of the Sun”, the first drama produced by NEW, is being reborn as an Indonesian theatrical film tentatively titled “Descendants of the Sun Indonesia.” The film is currently in post-production and is slated for local release in 2027.

From a 2016 drama hit to an Indonesian film

According to SBS, the original series was a blockbuster melodrama about young soldiers and doctors pursuing love and success in an unfamiliar, extreme environment. It starred Song Hye-kyo and Song Joong-ki, and SBS says it reached a peak viewership rating of 38.8% during its 2016 broadcast.

The remake will reportedly adapt that story with local sentiment and settings for Indonesian audiences, while still drawing from the original narrative.

NEW expands the project beyond remake rights

NEW said the project is meaningful because it goes beyond a simple export of remake rights and extends the global business scope of K-content from the planning stage to co-production.

The company is also participating in planning and production to raise the film’s quality, SBS reports.

Director and cast attached in Indonesia

The film will be directed by Hanung Bramantyo, whom SBS describes as a major Indonesian filmmaker. The report also says he directed Indonesia’s remake of NEW’s “Miracle in Cell No. 7,” which became one of the country’s top all-time box office hits.

Two leading actors have joined the project: Reza Rahadian and Dian Sastrowardoyo. SBS says Rahadian is one of Indonesia’s top local box-office draws, while Sastrowardoyo is known internationally for her role in Netflix’s “Cigarette Girl.”

Project introduced at Ideafest

SBS says the remake was formally introduced on September 5 at Ideafest, a creative cultural festival in Indonesia. A session titled “DESCENDANTS OF THE SUN, LOCALIZED: WHEN GLOBAL STORIES FIND LOCAL SOULS” featured the director and lead actors as the project was presented to the public.

With filming already wrapped and post-production underway, the film is positioned for release in Indonesia next year, according to the report. SBS also says Content Panda, NEW’s content distribution affiliate, will handle domestic distribution and release, with plans to show the film to Korean audiences as well.

Sources: SBS News; SBS News.