Tourism Malaysia has officially thrown its support behind the international romantic comedy “Worth The Wait”, a heartwarming feature film that blends cross-border love, Asian talent, and vibrant cultural storytelling.
The film’s red carpet premiere took place at DADI Cinema, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, attracting 200 esteemed guests, including cast members and filmmakers who flew in from the United States, Canada, Taiwan, and Singapore. The film also marks the English-language debut of celebrated Taiwanese director Tom Shu-Yu Lin.
Boasting a star-studded cast including Ross Butler (13 Reasons Why), Lana Condor (To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before), Andrew Koji (Black Doves), Sung Kang (Fast and Furious franchise), Elodie Yung (The Cleaning Lady), and Golden Horse Award-winning actress Karena Ka-Yan Lam, the movie is a celebration of Asian excellence in global cinema. Also featured are Osric Chau (Supernatural), Kheng Hua Tan (Crazy Rich Asians), and Yu-Beng Lim (Rebel Moon).
Partially filmed across scenic locations in Malaysia, the film highlights the country’s natural beauty, cultural vibrancy, and warm hospitality. Tourism Malaysia’s Director General, YBhg. Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, emphasized the importance of films like Worth The Wait in attracting international tourists. “This collaboration is part of our broader strategy to integrate tourism with film and entertainment. We hope heartfelt stories like these inspire audiences to visit and experience Malaysia for themselves,” he said.
The movie is produced by King Street Pictures, known for emotionally driven narratives and its dedication to Asian representation. It marks the studio’s seventh cinematic release. Producer Rachel Tan, a former Miss Malaysia, revealed that the story draws inspiration from her own long-distance love story with co-creator Dan.
“Worth The Wait is more than just entertainment—it’s a reflection of love, faith, and hope, told from an Asian perspective for a global audience,” Tan shared.
Already a streaming success in the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, the film is set to premiere in cinemas across Southeast Asia, including its highly anticipated Malaysian theatrical release in August, distributed by Astro Shaw.
The initiative forms part of Malaysia’s ongoing efforts to promote cultural tourism ahead of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign, reinforcing the country’s commitment to storytelling that elevates its global image.