Disney Live Action is adapting Miye Lee's Korean fantasy bestseller "The Dallergut Dream Department Store" into a feature film, with Patrick Ness writing the screenplay. Ness, who earned acclaim for his adaptation of "A Monster Calls," brings proven expertise in translating literary whimsy to screen.
The novel follows Penny, a young woman who lands a job selling dreams to customers at a magical department store. Lee's debut book became a global phenomenon, resonating with readers seeking escapist fantasy that explores deeper emotional terrain. The story taps into the kind of imaginative world-building that studios increasingly mine from international bestsellers, especially those with built-in fanbases and trilogy potential.
This marks Disney's continued investment in adapting popular literary properties beyond its traditional IP catalog. The studio has recently prioritized converting bestselling novels into live-action films, particularly those with cross-cultural appeal and younger audience demographics. "The Dallergut Dream Department Store" fits that strategy perfectly. Lee's book gained significant traction on BookTok and Bookstagram, giving Disney a ready-made audience already invested in Penny's story.
Ness brings substantial credibility to the project. Beyond "A Monster Calls," the British author and screenwriter has demonstrated skill navigating complex emotional narratives with visual storytelling potential. His work often balances whimsy with genuine pathos, a tonal challenge the fantastical dream-selling premise requires.
The adaptation arrives as studios aggressively court international bestseller authors. This includes Korean literature specifically, which has gained Hollywood momentum following the success of "Squid Game" and increased appetite for Korean cultural properties. Lee's novel benefits from that expanded interest while offering a distinctly different tone from the dark dystopian narratives that initially sparked the wave.
No director or cast has been announced, but the project's