Korea’s Barunson E&A is set to join Indonesian musical film Rangga & Cinta as a co-investor and will launch the film for international sales at Hong Kong’s Filmart, which takes place from March 17 to 20. Rangga & Cinta is a reboot of the 2002 box office hit What’s With Love? (Ada Apa Dengan Cinta?). […]Korea’s Barunson E&A is set to join Indonesian musical film Rangga & Cinta as a co-investor and will launch the film for international sales at Hong Kong’s Filmart, which takes place from March 17 to 20. Rangga & Cinta is a reboot of the 2002 box office hit What’s With Love? (Ada Apa Dengan Cinta?).
Korea’s Barunson E&A is set to join Indonesian musical film Rangga & Cinta as a co-investor and will launch the film for international sales at Hong Kong’s Filmart, which takes place from March 17 to 20.
Rangga & Cinta is a reboot of the 2002 box office hit What’s With Love? (Ada Apa Dengan Cinta?). The new musical film will revisit the original story, centering on Cinta, a popular 17-year-old high school girl whose name means “love” in Indonesian. When she falls for Rangga, a reclusive schoolmate, her close-knit friendships begin to unravel, forcing her to choose between love and loyalty.
Since launching its international operations in October 2022, Rangga & Cinta marks Barunson E&A’s fourth non-Korean feature for international sales. The Korean company, which produced Parasite, previously launched Vietnamese horror-comedy Don’t Cry, Butterfly. The film won both the Grand Prize and the Most Innovative Feature Award at the 2024 Venice Critics’ Week.
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Barunson E&A said that What’s With Love? became the most-watched Indonesian film in 2002 and earned approximately $10 million worldwide.
There have been several adaptations of the IP, including the TV series What’s With Love? from 2003 to 2005, a YouTube mini-drama in 2014, a film sequel What’s With Love 2 in 2016 and a spin-off film Milly & Mamet: Ini Bukan Cinta & Rangga in 2018.
The reboot will be directed by Riri Riza, who produced the original What’s With Love?.
Founded in 1995, Indonesia’s Miles Films has produced several What’s With Love? IP, as well as Sherina’s Adventure and Glorious Days — the latter a remake of the Korean film Sunny.
“Indonesia has an incredibly rich storytelling tradition, and we are thrilled to be part of this ambitious musical adaptation,” said Yoonhee Choi, CEO of Barunson E&A. “Rangga & Cinta is more than just a story about teenage love — it’s a reflection of Indonesia’s historical and political landscape, intertwined with themes of family, friendship and self-discovery. This universal, emotionally driven narrative is what we believe will resonate with audiences across borders. We’re excited to introduce this film to the global market.”
Riza, director of Rangga & Cinta, said: “It is an honor for me to once again take part in the What’s With Love? universe after directing the sequel in 2016. It also brings great excitement that we have the opportunity to cast new young actors for Rangga & Cinta. They are so talented, I am sure that through this film they would emerge as professional actors who play important roles in the future of Indonesian cinema and film industry.”
Mira Lesmana, founder and CEO of Miles Films, added: “The nation-wide anticipation and celebration for the rebirth of What’s With Love? in our upcoming film Rangga & Cinta brings so much joy. I am hoping the international market will also embrace this beloved story that has become Indonesia’s all-time favorite teen flick.”
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