The crews of Bluefish movie at the press briefing
A new international co-production was unveiled on 29 July 2025 in Kuala Lumpur — Bluefish 청어, a feature film directed by Korea’s Lee Sang-hoon and co-produced by Malaysia’s Jazzy Pictures, South Korea’s Oh’ Yes Co., Ltd, and Timeless Productions. Filming begins this October in Busan and Yeongdeok, with a release planned for early 2026.
The film brings together Ji Seung-Hyun and Cecilia Choi in lead roles. Choi, a Hong Kong actress recognized for her emotionally layered performances, previously received the Best Actress award from the Hong Kong Film Critics Society in 2020. Bluefish 청어 marks the first collaboration between Jazzy Pictures and a South Korean production team and will be filmed on location in Busan and Yeongdeok.
While rooted in action and drama, the film explores universal themes of trauma, identity, and redemption. Director Lee shared that the project was inspired by how society views disability — often with discomfort or pity — and aims to portray it as part of everyday life. Producer Joanne Goh described Bluefish as a story about finding light in unlikely places, offering hope and visibility to people with disabilities.
The crews of Bluefish movie at the press briefing
At the press briefing, director Lee and producer Joanne Goh emphasized the challenge of casting Yeon-jeon, a character who must express emotional depth without dialogue. But when Cecilia Choi was brought into the picture, they knew she was the right choice right then. “It’s not an easy role,” noted producer Joanne Goh, “but Cecilia brings an authenticity and quiet resilience that the character needed.”
“Bluefish is more than just a film, it’s a visceral portrait of broken people seeking light in unexpected places,” said Joanne Goh. “We’re excited to bring this powerful story to life and share it with audiences across Asia. More than that, we hope the film gives hope, light, and courage to people with disabilities, to show them they, too, can live independently and meaningfully, just like anyone else.”
Lead actor Ji Seung-Hyun said, “I’m truly happy to take on this role, and I’m very much looking forward to the filming process and working together with Cecilia Choi.”
As regional collaborations gain traction, Bluefish 청어 reflects a new era of Asian filmmaking — bold, human, and borderless.
For more information, please visit https://www.miffest.com.my/.
