John le Carré’s A Most Wanted Man Lands Korean Adaptation

The Ink Factory has teamed up with VO Media to develop a Korean series adaptation of John le Carré’s espionage thriller novel A Most Wanted Man.

“A Most Wanted Man is a poignant exploration of trust, power and morality—themes that remain deeply relevant today,” said Simon Cornwell and Stephen Cornwell, founders and co-CEOs of The Ink Factory. “As we continue expanding the global legacy of the le Carré canon, it’s a privilege to forge our first partnership with VO Media, who have a very impressive track record in crafting masterfully plotted projects. Together, we look forward to bringing a distinctly Korean perspective to this gripping story and to reimagine le Carré’s intricate world of espionage through a fresh cultural lens for audiences in Korea and far beyond.”

The new adaptation will be penned by Kim Yun-shin, with the project led by producer Kim Shin-ho for VO Media. VO Media’s Park Bo-kyeong will oversee development with The Ink Factory’s Junyoung Jang, executive producer for Korea. The executive producing team also includes Tessa Inkelaar, Simon Cornwell, Stephen Cornwell and Michele Wolkoff for The Ink Factory, alongside Joe Tsai and Arthur Wang from 127 Wall Productions.

The book, first published in 2008, follows Issa, an illegal Muslim immigrant who arrives in Hamburg from Russia with a traumatic past and the key to a fortune held in a private bank. To the realistic young human rights lawyer Annabel, who is determined to save him from deportation, he is a worthy cause. To the intelligence services of Britain, Germany and America, however, he is a potential jihadist—and a pawn between them as they seek to make a kill in the war on terror.

“John le Carré’s A Most Wanted Man is not simply about espionage or the war on terror,” noted Shin-ho and Yun-shin. “At its core, the story asks: Under the name of the nation, how easily can an individual become a sacrifice? We were drawn to reinterpret this story within the context of modern Korean history—a history marked by war, division, dictatorship and countless sacrifices made in the name of security. For us, A Most Wanted Man is both a mirror reflecting the wounds of Korean modern history and a story carrying the questions we must hand to the next generation. This is a drama about dignity, power and the fractures between them—a journey in search of an answer to the timeless question: Can the dead save the living?”

VO Media’s Park Bo-kyeong commented, “We are honored to partner with The Ink Factory, whose global expertise and track record with international partners are second to none. This collaboration allows us not only to adapt one of le Carré’s most human and politically sharp works but also to learn and grow through The Ink Factory’s experience across Europe, the U.S. and beyond.”