THE COVID-19 pandemic has sent the South Korean film industry into an unprecedented crisis, but several big name film studios are sticking to their original plans to release new movies this summer.

The summer season is expected to include a lot fewer blockbuster films as many companies are postponing the release of their movies, with a slate of Hollywood films having release dates pushed back.

Paramount Pictures has postponed the release of “Top Gun: Maverick” from June to December, and Sony Pictures pushed back the release dates of “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” and “Morbius” to 2021 from July this year.

Amid such a crisis, however, South Korean film studio Next Entertainment World (NEW) has initiated its months-long promotion for the upcoming zombie thriller “Peninsula.” According to the film producer and distributor, the blockbuster will be released in South Korea and several other countries in the summer.

Meanwhile, CJ Entertainment is looking to release the musical “Hero” in the summer, in commemoration of the 110th anniversary of South Korean independence activist Ahn Jung-geun’s death. Director Yoon Je-kyoon, best known for his previous works “Ode to My Father” and “Haeundae” (“Tidal Wave”), produced the film.

Lotte Entertainment will gear up to release action crime film “Mogadishu,” featuring Kim Yoon-seok and Jo In-sung and directed by Ryoo Seung-wan.

Finally, a sci-fi fantasy film tentatively titled “Lightning Ship,” featuring Song Joong-ki and Kim Tae-ri, is also expected to open in July or August.

(SD-Agencies)