Bong Joon-ho’s ‘Ally’: What to Expect from the Oscar-Winning Director’s First Animated Film

[TV Daily reporter Choi Hana] Bong Joon-ho, the Oscar-winning director whose Parasite reshaped global cinema after its sweep at the Academy Awards, is embarking on a new project. He has picked Allie as his next film — his first feature-length animated movie — a move that has captured attention across the international film community.

Allie is a large-scale global project Bong has been developing since 2019. Yoo Jae-seon, the director of Sleep — which screened in Critics’ Week at the 76th Cannes Film Festival and drew critical praise — joins as co-writer. Top creative teams from 12 countries, including South Korea, have signed on, raising industry expectations.

Inspired by real marine life, Allie examines how encounters between humans and deep-sea creatures can alter both worlds. The story centers on Allie, a baby pig‑squid who lives in an underwater canyon, longs to see the sun and dreams of appearing on TV. When an unidentified aircraft crashes nearby, Allie and friends are swept into a perilous adventure.

Bong plans to combine his signature keen observations with striking visuals, playful humor and genuine emotional warmth to craft a family-friendly adventure. The collision between the human world and the deep sea is expected to drive suspenseful, high-stakes set pieces that will be a major draw for audiences.

The film’s financing and distribution lineup is equally notable. CJ ENM, the Pencher K-Content investment consortium, and France’s Pathé Film have all joined the project, while Seo Woo-sik, CEO of Barunson C&C — who previously worked with Bong on Mother and Okja — will oversee production, promising strong creative synergy.

Global visual effects and animation studio DNEG, known for its work on Inception and Dune, has come on board to deliver world-class 3D animation. The so-called dream team also includes animation supervisor Kim Jae-hyung (Toy Story 4, Inside Out), production designer Marcin Jakubowski (Netflix’s Klaus) and producer David Lipman (Shrek 1 & 2).

The producers have laid out a region-by-region distribution strategy. CJ ENM, the K-content investment consortium and Pathé will divide territories and handle worldwide sales and distribution. Production is targeted for completion in the first half of 2027, with a global release to follow. Industry observers will be watching to see whether Bong’s signature phenomenon can extend into animation.

[TV Daily reporter Choi Hana news@tvdaily.co.kr / Photo: DB, the film ‘Allie’]