From left, actors Park Jeong-min, Lee Je-hoon, Ahn Jae-hong and Choi Woo-shik pose for a photo in the film "Time to Hunt." / Courtesy of Little Big Pictures



By Kwak Yeon-soo



The theatrical release of crime thriller "Time to Hunt" has been canceled and it will head straight to streaming on Netflix in the midst of COVID-19 outbreak.



This marks the first time a Korean film has gone to a third-party streaming service after skipping theaters and video-on-demand services.



Conventionally Netflix releases Korean films after a holdback period where they hit VOD platforms for purchase, or after the amount of time it takes for a film to be transferred to other forms of distribution.



Traditionally, films usually have a two-to-three week holdback period, in which multiplex chains hold the exclusive distribution rights before the films are circulated on other distribution services.



Distributor Little Big Pictures confirmed that the film will be available exclusively on Netflix starting April 10.



"After a long wait, we are delighted to announce that Time to Hunt will be available in 190 countries through Netflix. As the COVID-19 outbreak grips the world, we sought for most effective and safest means for the film to reach a larger audience," Little Big Pictures said in a statement.



However, the film distributor has come under fire for unilaterally terminating the contract with Contents Panda ― the international sales arm of Next Entertainment World.



Contents Panda has been handling international sales of "Time to Hunt," which included securing a slot at the Berlinale and selling film distribution rights to 30 countries.



"Little Big Pictures unilaterally notified us of the termination of the contract. None of the overseas distributors agreed upon an exclusive distribution agreement with Netflix. We will take legal action," Contents Panda official said.



The flick saw its premiere pulled once. It was planned to hit local theaters Feb. 26, but the release date has been yanked entirely due to the surge in coronavirus cases.



Netflix welcomed the partnership, saying "We are happy to introduce Time to Hunt to 190 countries across the globe. As there is a growing interest in Korean cinema, we have no doubt that Korean content in various formats and genres will be enjoyed by fans worldwide."





Poster for "Time to Hunt" / Courtesy of Little Big Pictures