21-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Lotte ordered to pay W5b to Coupang Play over 'Hansan' distribution rights
A court has ruled in favor of Coupang Play in its legal dispute with Lotte Culture Works over the latter's decision to provide a director's version of a local movie to Netflix despite an exclusive supply contract with Coupang Play.
The Seoul Central District Court on Jan. 23 ordered Lotte Culture Works to pay 5 billion won ($3.48 million) in back royalties to Coupang Play.
The two companies had signed an exclusive content licensing agreement for the distribution of "Hansan: Rising Dragon," the 2022 historical action film by director Kim Han-min and the second installment in his trilogy about South Korea's legendary naval Adm. Yi Sun-sin. The contract was valued at 12.5 billion won.
But Lotte later provided a director's cut, "Hansan: Redux," to Netflix under a separate agreement signed in 2020 allowing the streaming giant to acquire local films with over 300,000 viewers.
Lotte argued that the director's version was a distinct product, separate from the original film, as it included an additional 21 minutes highlighting Adm. Yi's human aspects and other naval battle scenes. (Yonhap)
