Start-up South Koreanproduction and sales outfit Core Studio has unveiled its slate for 2006, whichincludes the first Korean production from Japanese-Korean director Yoichi Sai (Quill, Blood And Bones).

The project, which has theworking title Double Casting, isbased on a popular manga about a gang boss who poses as his dead twin to findout who killed him. Production is scheduled to start in February.

"Up until now, Korean filmshave focused on casting to appeal to the Japanese audience. We want to startcollaborating with Japanese directors and other talent," said Core Studio vicepresident of international business EJ Cho.

Core Studio is alsoproducing action romance Love Battle (working title), to be directed by Kim Kyung-hyung (My Tutor Friend), and the third film in Lee Myung-se's "pursuit andduel" trilogy following Nowhere To Hide and Duelist.

The company is alsodeveloping period thriller Murders, He Wrote (working title) about two detectives investigating aserial killer who leaves a pulp novel at the scene of every crime. Newcomer KimTaegyun is attached to direct.

Founded by former KoreaPictures CEO Soma Chung, Core Studio plans to finance, produce and distribute aslate of around 10 films a year.

The company's AFM slateincludes Lee's Duelist, horrortitle Yoga Class and thriller Bystanders, starring Yunjin Kim who appears in US TV series Lost.