Facts about first global K-Pop Film

1. From BTS & Blackpink to Squid Game and Parasite, the Korean Wave is dominating Global pop culture and with it opening doors for Asian talejt like never before. "Destiny: A Star is Reborn" is the first international film set in the world of K-Pop, K-dance and K-fashion and filmed in Korean and English by a North American filmmaker who is presently based in Gangnam - the Beverly Hills of Asia. Asia's first Nobel-Laureate Tagore wanted Korea to lead a renaissance in Asia and today Korea leads all of Asia, and the world, in pop music, fashion, pop culture, and cinema. Therefore Canadian-born Ronin Soho (who has links to the Tagore family) is making history with the first international K-pop version of iconic dance and music industry themed classics from "A Star is Born" and "8 Mile" to "Black Swan" and "Billy Elliott".

2. King Charles and the UN called BTS the "Beatles of our time" and their success stems from their talent, the struggles they overcame and their penchant for serious themes and inspiring messages in their songs. In Destiny, we deal with serious issues including ableism, ageism, racism, alcoholism, mental and physical illness, gender and suicidal depression in a mature, subtle and nuanced way influenced by the Neorealism filmmaking techniques of Oscar-winner Satyajit Ray - the favourite filmmaker of Oscar-winners Martin Scorcese, Danny Boyle and Christopher Nolan among others. Soho's lifelong connection to Satyajit Ray can be seen in the interview on the Press page. This film also throws light on the challenges of the music industry - echoing powerful themes also seen in Lady Gaga's Oscar-winning "A Star is Born", Eminem's Oscar-winning "8 Mile" , Tina Turner's Oscar-nominated "What's Love Got to Do With It and Natalie Portman's Oscar-winning "Black Swan".

3. This movie does more to promote paraplegic actors than any other film ever made. Korean-Canadian MJ Baek plays one of the most important roles ever played by an Actor with a Disability -- after becoming paralyzed on the set of his first movie "Another Front" co-starring Chun Jung-Myung. This can open doors for other Actors with Disabilities worldwide. Please see MJ's exclusive interview here

4. The dance scenes are unique and shot on Hollywood movie sets used by such stars as Bruce Willis, Mark Wahlberg, Morgan Freeman and Paul Greengrass. Inspired by Zhang Yimou, every scene of the movie looks like a painting by uniquely coordinating both the costume and set design with lavish colours of gold, black and red as the choreography advances the narrative and conveys the emotional arcs via the highest form of "Show, Don't Tell" filmmaking. Please click on the Dance page and Production Design page for more information.

5. While A Star is Born has been made 4 times in the West, and once in Bollywood, this is the first time its been made from a Korean perspective and far more inspiring than the original. Because instead of suicide, the protagonist makes a stunning comeback against all odds -- similar to the Oscar-winning "What's Love Got to Do With it" wherein Tina Turner used Eastern culture to overcome suicidal depression and become the biggest female rocker in history -- in her 40's and as a Black singer which was not as mainstream in those days. So Destiny: A Star is Reborn is a unique adaptation like Korea's answer to the inspirational Rocky movies but set in the world of K-Pop, K-dance and K-fashion.

6. This film has more dance scenes than any other film and is Korea’s answer to Oscar-winning dance classics like Black Swan and Billy Elliott. Like Natalie Portman who won the Oscar for Best Actress after training for a year, Soho also trained for a year in many dance genres from Street Jazz to break dancing and studied the all-time greats from Fred Astaire and Michael Jackson to BTS & Blackpink in preparation for his role. Soho performs all of his own dancing in the film without using any body doubles.

7. This film is as inspirational as the Oscar-winning Rocky series and embodies the Olympic spirit that permeated across Korea and established Korea as a cultural superpower on the world stage. As director, Ronin Soho has served as the Motivational Coach to over 100 Olympians - more than any other coach in history - and has even guest lectured on the Mindset of a Winner at the prestigious Korea National Sports University. Soho’s co-star MJ Baek became paralyzed on his first movie set and then went on to win over 100 medals as a Paralympic athlete and was even awarded Korea's highest national honour - the Order of Merit for Sports. So this film brings unprecedented realism to the popular film genre of inspirational cinema and can empower anyone who is pursuing a dream against all odds.

8. This film is also shot in fashion capitals New York and Paris and presents Seoul in the same league as major fashion capitals of the world - especially as K-pop idols Lisa and Jennie made huge impacts at the Met Gala and K-pop idols represent Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dior and Bottega - the world’s most recognized luxury brands. The fashion ensembles are unique and feature Ronin Soho’s own collection that merges East and West elements. To see how Soho is revolutionizing men's fashion like his idols Pharell and the late Virgil, please visit www.RoninSoho.net

9. This is the first international film to honour Korean culture as icons from Sejong to Dalma to the Hwarang who are the historic predecessors of K-pop idols. Soho has been living in Gangnam and is the first Canadian invited to meet the President Lee-Jae Myung's closest advisers as he is very committed to promoting Korean culture worldwide. Soho is also the first Canadian to guest lecture at the prestigious Korean National Sport University and has been invited to meet with many of Korea's most influential citizens. As an expert in Asian culture and a strong voice for the Asian Diaspora, Soho conveys genuine appreciation for Korean culture and heritage. It’s important for Koreans to have pride in their glorious past if they are to dominate the future of the world and this movie pays cinematic homage to both the cool and contemporary side of Korea as well as its historic and traditional side. Korean talent is also opening the doors to other Asians from Japan to Thailand and so this film is important for all Asians and POCs worldwide.

10. Soho's next film is also nearing completion -- being shot in over 12 countries -- and he is also building a Museum of historic Asian Art in the most coveted neighbourhood of Tokyo. More information can be found at RoninSoho.com.