Choir of God (Korean: 신의악단) is a 2025 South Korean musical drama film directed by Kim Hyung-hyup. Based on a true story, it features an ensemble cast led by Park Si-hoo and Jeong Jin-woon. Distributed by CJ CGV, the film was released in South Korea on December 31, 2025.
Contents
Synopsis
With its financial lifelines cut off by international sanctions, North Korea seeks to secure foreign aid by agreeing to stage a religious revival. Under orders from the ruling party, the Ministry of State Security is tasked with creating North Korea's first-ever fake propaganda praise troupe.
Cast
Park Si-hoo as Park Kyo-sun
Jeong Jin-woon as Captain Kim
Tae Hang-ho as Kim Seong-cheol
Go Hye-jin as Lee Soo-rim
Nam Tae-hoon as Kim Chang-soo
Choi Seon-ja as Yang Seon-ja
Moon Kyung-min as Oh Cheol-ho
Shin Han-gyeol as Lee Jung-hee
Seo Dong-won as Bae Guk-seong
Kang Seung-wan as Choi Jeong-cheol
Yoon Je-moon as Director of the 5th Department
Gi Ju-bong as standing committee member
Production
Development
The screenplay is based on a draft by Kim Hwang-sung, with later adaptations incorporating input from a North Korean defector to ensure linguistic and cultural accuracy. The narrative draws partial inspiration from the construction of Chilgol Church in Pyongyang and historical religious exchanges in North Korea during the 1990s.
Filming
Filming took place in Mongolia over approximately six weeks beginning in February 2024, under extreme winter conditions.
Release
The film was released theatrically on December 31, 2025, on 496 screens.
Reception
Following its release on December 31, Choir of God recorded a 41.2% seat occupancy rate on January 1, ranking first among Korean films for the day. The film surpassed 1.15 million admissions following its release, achieving sustained box office growth driven by word-of-mouth and group screenings. After initially debuting outside the top ranks, the film later reached number one at the Korean box office in early February.