CJ ENM said on October 19 that Yeon Sang-ho's Paradise Lost had sold rights to 118 countries and territories. The distributor says international revenue exceeded net production costs before the theatrical opening. That is its financial assessment, not an independently established global net profit after every expense.
A psychological story adapted from a novel
Starring Kim Hyun-joo and Bae Hyeon-seong, the film adapts Oh Sung-eun's Black Inferno. Its fictional story follows a mother whose son disappeared nine years earlier. His unexpected return unsettles her life again, framing themes of motherhood, family and psychological mystery.
CJ ENM attributes buyers' interest to confidence in the director and its established distribution network. The number of territories describes rights sales, rather than simultaneous releases or markets where theatrical earnings have already been recorded.
Festival screenings and future openings
The film screened in Special Presentations at the 51st Toronto festival in September and at the 31st Busan festival in early October. All four Busan screenings reportedly sold out. Two Hawaii screenings are scheduled for November 1 and 4 as its US introduction.
The Korean theatrical opening is planned for October 21, 2026, followed by Vietnam in November. These remained future release dates when the article appeared on October 20.
Yeon is known for Train to Busan, Peninsula and Psychokinesis, combining genre stories with social and emotional themes. Train to Busan exceeded ten million Korean admissions in 2016. That earlier achievement provides career context, while the new film's commercial performance remains a separate question.