Onda Works CEO Lim Eun-jung’s Bold Bet Pays Off with Box Office Hit ‘The King and the Man’
Lim Eun-jung, CEO of the South Korean production company Onda Works, has achieved a significant milestone with her first commercial film, “The King and the Man Who Lives With Him.” The historical drama has surpassed 13 million moviegoers, an unusual feat for the genre, becoming the 34th film in Korean history to exceed 10 million admissions .
From CJ ENM to Independent Filmmaking
Lim’s journey to this success involved a calculated risk: leaving a major corporation, CJ ENM, to establish Onda Works. She founded the company with a vision to better support creators and maintain control over her projects . While at CJ ENM, her primary goal was to bring writers’ work to the world, but she felt constrained by the limitations of a larger company structure . She majored in Korean language and literature and harbored a desire to create stories since high school .
The Birth of Onda Works
The name “Onda” itself has a serendipitous origin. During a trip to Portugal after deciding to leave her previous company, Lim discovered a surfing shop named “Onda,” which means “wave” in Portuguese. She connected the name to the excitement surfers feel when a wave approaches, and decided it embodied the energy she wanted for her company . Onda Works was officially founded on April Fool’s Day, 2023 .
“The King and the Man” – A Passion Project
“The King and the Man Who Lives With Him” was a project Lim had been developing since her time at CJ ENM. She was drawn to the story’s focus on the individuals surrounding historical events, rather than the events themselves, and sought to explore the perspectives of those often overlooked . The film depicts the story of King Danjong and Eom Heung-do . Despite facing challenges during the pandemic and an uncertain industry climate, Lim persevered with the project, securing co-production with BA Entertainment and distribution through Showbox , .
A Return to the Theater Experience
The film’s success has been attributed to its universal appeal and its ability to rekindle the joy of going to the movies . Lim believes the film resonates with audiences of all ages, offering relatable characters and themes that spark conversation . Notably, the film has garnered a strong following among younger generations, with many repeat viewers .
Future Projects
Onda Works has several projects in development, including a genre film with director Kim Eui-seok set on a train in Gyeongseong, and an action film with director Ahn Tae-jin set in the border area of the Joseon Dynasty . Lim plans to continue balancing period dramas with modern stories .