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| ▲ This still from South Korean animated feature film, "Badass Girl," is provided by NEW and Playkhan. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Oct. 1 (Yonhap) -- The legendary Korean animation series "Run, Hani," which first aired on TV in 1988 after being serialized in the comic magazine "Treasure Island" in 1985, is returning as a feature film next month.
The film, "Badass Girl," will open in theaters on Oct. 7 to mark the 40th anniversary of the original work by cartoonist Lee Jin-joo.
The story of Hani, a girl who lost her mother at a young age and found joy in running as she grew into a track-and-field athlete, captivated the nation at the time. The theme song sung by pop star Lee Sun-hee, with the refrain "Run, run, run, Hani," became a national favorite.
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| ▲ This still from South Korean animated feature film, "Badass Girl," is provided by NEW and Playkhan. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Producer Song Won-hyung, head of Playcan, and director Heo Jung-su said the decision to revive "Run, Hani" was driven by the power of its story.
"Most films these days look similar. They’re about fighting to protect someone, making sacrifices and achieving goals. But the drama in Hani’s story felt unique. I thought bringing her back would be fun," Song said.
Heo noted that while the series was often categorized as a romance comic because of its female protagonist, it carried the traits of a boys’ adventure story.
"'Run, Hani' is really a boys’ manga at heart. Like Hayao Miyazaki’s 'Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind,' it was refreshing to see a proactive female lead. The harder the challenges, the greater the catharsis," he said.
Before embarking on the film, Song tested public interest by producing merchandise and a pilot short. The response convinced him a feature film could succeed.
For the new adaptation, the creators reimagined the story by shifting focus to Na Ae-ri, Hani’s rival and the original antagonist.
"I felt Hani’s story was already complete. To make something new, it had to be a continuation. Na Ae-ri, with her unexplored background, opened up possibilities," Song explained.
Heo added, "Hani’s original arc was centered on longing for her mother, which felt heavy. By focusing on Ae-ri, we could tell timeless stories about friendship, cooperation and perseverance."
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| ▲ This poster of South Korean animated feature film, "Badass Girl," is provided by NEW and Playkhan. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
The title "Bad Girl" also stems from how Na Ae-ri was originally labeled in the story, symbolizing her dynamic relationship with Hani.
Another major addition is "S-Run," a fictional urban sport where competitors race through cityscapes using obstacles and terrain. This was designed to enhance the action and visual appeal. The new film reimagines Hani and Na Ae-ri as teammates competing in S-Run tournaments.
Music has also been refreshed, with Hwang Hyun-sung of the rock band No Brain serving as music director.
"To leave lasting impressions, we created music even before the storyboard. Some sequences run for 13 minutes like a music video. We wanted a musical-like feel," Song said.
The iconic theme song appears only partially, since Ae-ri is the protagonist, but its inclusion is expected to delight fans.
The production team hopes the film will serve as the foundation of a new franchise. Song revealed that a trilogy is planned, with the second installment already scripted and set largely in Busan.
"The next story will show cities across Korea, with Busan’s seaside running scenes being particularly exciting," he said.
Heo described the Chuseok holiday release as a family film.
"I want people to leave the theater feeling good. This movie was made with the hope of delivering joy, along with messages of passion, perseverance and teamwork that I wish for my own children," he said.
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