SEOUL, South Korea—There’s no denying that the world of entertainment has seen a Korean takeover in the past few years—from penetrating its neighboring countries in Asia and beyond, crossing even greater borders all the way to cementing its road to Hollywood prominence through music, films, and then beloved global series.
On Netflix, numbers show how Korean content have taken hold of the global audiences. From the iconic jumpsuits of Squid Game to the supernatural beings of Hellbound, Korean shows dominated global popular culture in 2021.
In a statement, Don Kang, VP of Content in Korea stated, “Overall, global viewing hours of our Korean shows grew six-fold last year, compared to 2019. To date, Squid Game is the biggest show we have ever launched, reigning as the most viewed Netflix show in 94 countries at its peak. In fact, 95% of Squid Game’s viewership came from outside Korea, and many of these viewers went on to explore other Korean content.”
Highlighting this content staying power, he added, “Two months after Squid Game, we launched Hellbound, whose premiere clocked 43.48 million viewing hours. Hellbound was among the Top 10 Netflix shows in 93 countries, and ranked number one in 34 countries. Sci-fi mystery The Silent Sea also made it to the number one spot on the weekly non-English Top 10 lists for its premiere.”
Of note, in the period of 2016 to 2021, the streaming platform has already catapulted over 130 Korean titles to global consciousness that let viewers to look at more content hailing from the country’s topnotch ecosystem of creatives and talents.
In its continuing aim to bring the K-wave to the world, Netflix, this year, is bringing more than 25 compelling Korean entertainment content—its largest number to date.
Don Kang emphasized, “We believe this is a slate that showcases more of the inventive and gripping Korean storytelling that the world has come to love. To do that, we will continue to invest in Korea’s creative ecosystem and, together, we will keep on showing the world that “Made in Korea” means “Well-Made”. This year, we look forward to the new conversations that will be sparked by a new wave of stories, as we help Korean content find homes in the hearts and minds of our global audience.”
Following the announcement of its Korean slate, here’s a roundup of Korean series and films to watch out for and binge this year on the streaming platform:
Series
All of Us Are Dead
Image courtesy of Netflix
Directed by: Lee JQ, Kim Nam-su
Writer: Chun Sung-il
Launch date: Jan 28th
Starring: Yoon Chan-young, Park Ji-hu, Cho Yi-hyun, Lomon, Yoo In-soo, Lee You-mi, Lim Jae-hyeok
What we know about it: Netflix Series All of Us Are Dead follows the story about students trapped in a school amid a zombie virus outbreak who later join hands to fight for survival. Based on a popular webtoon by Joo Dong-geun, the horrific visuals of students infected by the mysterious zombie virus and stunning action set in different parts of the school are a must-watch. The series highlights a number of rising stars including Yoon Chan-yeong, Park Ji-hu, Cho Yi-hyun, Lomon, Yoo In-soo, Lee You-mi and Lim Jae-hyeok .
Juvenile Justice
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Directed by: Hong Jong-chan
Writer: Kim Min-suk
Starring: Kim Hye-soo, Kim Moo-yeol, Lee Sung-min, Lee Jung-Eun
What we know about it: Juvenile Justice deals with a judge who dislikes juvenile delinquents, then realizing the troubles children face in society and how society is circumventing them to become better people. Kim Hye-soo(Hyena, Signal) plays Sim Eun-seok, a newly appointed judge to a district with the highest juvenile delinquency, who then makes unorthodox decisions to existing judgments.
Twenty Five, Twenty One
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Directed by: Jung Jeehyun
Writer: Kwon Doe-un
Launch date: February 12th
Episodes: 16 episodes (Every Sat & Sun 2 episodes per week)
Starring: Kim Tae-ri, Nam Joo-hyuk, Kim Ji Yeon, Choi Hyun Wook, Lee Ju Myung
What we know about it: Twenty Five, Twenty One is a drama of youths set in 1998, trailing their dilemma and growth. They called out each other’s names for the first time when they were twenty-two and eighteen. Now, they’ve each become twenty-five and twenty-one. The fine line between a heart-fluttering first love and a heart-warming friendship gives them butterflies. Their sparkling love and growth, as well as the chemistry and hardships among the five friends, remind us of our intense yet beautiful youth.
Forecasting Love and Weather
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Directed by: Cha Young Hun
Writer: Sun Young
Launch date: February 12th
Episodes: 16 episodes (Every Sat & Sun 2 episodes per week)
Starring: Park Min Young, Song Kang, Yoon Bak, Yura
What we know about it: Forecasting Love and Weather follows a story of characters at the Korea Meteorological Administration who break, fall and get back on their feet every day, narrating the story of Jin Ha-kyung, who decides never to commit to an office romance after a brutal break-up, again falling into a relationship with a newcomer in the team Lee Si-woo who is different but attractive in his own way. With a star-studded cast of Park Min Young and Song Kang, this is one of the most anticipated romantic comedies in the first half of 2022.
Thirty Nine
Image courtesy of Netflix
Directed by: Kim Sang-ho
Writer: Yu Young- a
Launch date: February 16th
Episodes: 12 episodes (Every Sat & Sun 2 episodes per week)
Starring: Son Ye-jin, Jeon Mi-do, Kim Ji-hyun
What we know about it: Thirty Nine is a down-to-earth life and romance drama that touches deep into the friendship, love and life of three friends who are about to turn forty. Cha Mi-jo (played by Son Ye-jin) Jeong Chan-young (played by Jeon Mi-do) and Jang Joo-hee (played by Kim Ji-hyun) are very close friends who have been through both the good and the worst times together. Mi-jo now works as a Dermatologist, Chan-young as an acting coach and Joo-hee as a cosmetics sales manager. One fine day, when they are all 39, life takes a turn for the worse and they have to get ready for goodbye.
Tomorrow
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Directed by: Kim Tae-Youn, Sung Chi-Wook
Writer: Park Rhan, Park Ja-kyung, Kim You-jin
Episodes: 16 episodes (Every 2 episodes per week)
Starring: Kim Hee-seon, Rowoon, Lee Soo-hyuk
What we know about it: The grim reapers who used to escort the dead now save those who want to die. An afterlife fantasy drama, Tomorrow tells the story of a long-time unemployed Choi Jun-woong accidentally bumps into grim reapers on a special mission and becomes a contract worker at their Crisis Management Team to help them out on their mission.
Business Proposal
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Directed by: Park Seon Ho
Writer: Han Sul Hee
Episodes: 12 episodes (Every 2 episode per week)
Starring: Ahn Hyo-Seop, Kim Se Jeong, Seol In A, Kim Min Gue, Lee Duck Hwa
What we know about it: Business Proposal is based on a globally famous web novel and webtoon of the same name with a total 320 million views. An average employee Shin Ha-ri (played by Kim Se Jeong) goes on a blind date in her friend’s stead as a sassy girl, only to find her blind date to be the CEO of her company, Kang Tae-moo (played by Ahn Hyo-Seop). After the two run into each other on their blind date, they each struggle in their own way at the office as the CEO and the employee, which can sometimes be sweet, thrilling and even tense.
The Sound of Magic
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Directed by: Kim Sung-youn
Writer: Kim Min Jeong
Starring: Ji Chang-wook, Choi Sung-eun, Hwang In-youp
What we know about it: The Sound of Magic, based on the popular webtoon Annarasumanara, is a drama about Yoon Ah-yi, a girl who had to grow up too fast, and Rieul, a mysterious magician who wants to remain as a kid. Ji Chang-wook plays Rieul, a mysterious magician who lives in an abandoned amusement park, Choi Sung-eun plays the role of Yoon Ah-yi and Hwang In-youp will play Yoon Ah-yi’s classmate Na Il-deung.
Remarriage and Desires
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Directed by: Kim Jung-Min
Writer: Lee Geun-Young
Starring: Kim Hee-Seon, Lee Hyun-Wook, Jung Eugene, Park Hoon, Cha Ji-Yeon
What we know about it: Remarriage & Desires is a satire of Korean society governed by desire. Set at the exclusive matchmaking agency Rex catering to the top echelons of society, ambitious souls hope to upgrade their status by marrying or remarrying into the ranks of the elite. They aspire to nab someone from the “Black” tier, the highest group consisting of the top 0.001 percent of the population. With a star-studded cast of Kim Hee-Seon, Lee Hyun-Wook, and Jung Eungene, the series shrewdly portrays the commercialized dating/marriage business and society’s perception in which we live.
A Model Family
Image courtesy of Netflix
Directed by: Kim Jin-woo
Launch date: Lee Jae-gon
Starring: Jung Woo, Park Hee-soon, Yoon Jin-seo, Park Ji-yeon
What we know about it: A Model Family charts the tales of a man on the brink of bankruptcy and divorce stumbling upon a car loaded with cash. The incident has him crossing paths with the second-in-command of a drug organization. Jung Woo, Park Hee-soon, Yoon Jin-seo and Park Ji-yeon lead this thrilling illustration of an ordinary family coincidently putting hands on illegal drug money.
Glitch
Image courtesy of Netflix
Directed by: Roh Deok
Writer: Gin Han-sai
Producer: Yoon Shin-ae
Starring: Jeon Yeo-been, NANA
What we know about it: Glitch is about Hong Jihyo, who attempts to track down her missing boyfriend with the help of members of a UFO club. In the process, she comes face to face with a mysterious secret. Writer Gin Han-sai who enthralled audiences and critics with the much-lauded Netflix series Extracurricular. The series will be directed by Roh Deok, known for her genre-crossing agility, and Jeon Yeo-been plays the lead role and NANA plays Bora.
The Accidental Narco (WT)
Image courtesy of Netflix
Directed by: Yoon Jong-bin
Writer: Yoon Jong-bin, Kwon Sung-Hui
Starring: Ha Jung-woo, Hwang Jung-min, Park Hae-soo, Jo Woo-jin, Yoo Yeon-seok, Chang Chen
What we know about it: Based on real-life events, the series is about an ordinary entrepreneur who has no choice but to risk his life in joining the secret mission of government agents to capture a Korean drug lord. The Accidental Narco marks Director Yoon Jong-bin’s first foray into series and first collaboration with Netflix. A star-studded cast including Ha Jung-woo, Hwang Jung-min, Park Hae-soo, Jo Woo-jin and Yoo Yeson-seok is on deck, along with mounting anticipation for the first collaboration between Ha Jung-woo and Hwang Jung-min.
Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area
Image courtesy of Netflix
Directed by: Kim Hong-sun
Writer: Ryu Yong-Jae, Kim Hwan-Chae, Choe Sung-Jun
Starring: Yoo Ji-tae, Kim Yunjin, Park Hae-soo, Jun Jong-seo, Lee Won-jong, Park Myung-hoon, Kim Seung-o, Kim Ji-hun, Jang Yoon-ju, Lee Joobeen, Lee Hyun-woo, Kim Ji-hoon, Lee Kyu-ho
What we know about it: Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area narrates a genius strategist and his talented crew of top-class thieves attempting to pull off an unprecedented heist in the Korean Peninsula. The story portrays unexpected twists and turns as the crew stage a hostage while facing inexplicable challenges. All eyes are focused on the background and definition behind the title Joint Economic Area.
Somebody
Image courtesy of Netflix
Directed by: Jung Ji-woo
Writer: Jung Ji-woo, Han Ji-wan
Starring: Kim Young-kwang, Kang Hae-lim, Kim Yong-ji, Kim Su-yeon
What we know about it: A murder case revolves around the social dating app – Somebody, triggering a developer of the app, and her friends to entangle in inexplicable issues surrounding a mysterious figure named Yoon-oh. Prominent director Jung Ji-woo spearheads the production – marking his first foray into series and collaboration with Netflix – along with writer Han Ji-wan renown for his ability to write excellent thriller genre scripts. Star Kim Young-kwang leads the cast with a group of fresh new names – Kang Hae-lim, Kim Yong-ji and Kim Su-yeon.
The Fabulous
Directed by: Kim Jeong-hyeon
Writer: Kim Ji-hee, Im Jin-sun
Starring: Chae Soo-bin, Choi Min-ho
What we know about it: The Fabulous is a highly realistic romance that explores the dreams, love, and friendship of young people who devote their lives to working in the fashion industry.
Love to Hate You
Directed by: Kim Jeong-kwon
Writer: Choi Soo-young
Starring: Kim Ok-vin, Yoo Teo, Kim Ji-hun, Go Won-hee
What we know about it: Love to Hate You is about the war-like relationship between a woman who hates losing to men and a man frantically suspicious of women who later discover life remedies behind their opposite characteristics. Starring Kim Ok-bin and Teo Yoo, Love to Hate You depicts the love and emotional sympathy that triumphs over the broader mistrust between the opposite sex.
Black Knight
Directed by: Cho Ui-seok
Writer: Cho Ui-seok
Starring: Kim woo-bin, Esom, Kang you-seok
What we know about it: Starring Kim woo-bin, Black Knight illustrates an air polluted world in 2071, where people depend on respirator masks to breathe, where only one percent of the human race has survived, and a strict social stratification has been established in the deserted lands of the Korean Peninsula. Amid desolation, Black Knight tells the story of a legendary delivery driver 5-8 with exceptional battle skills and refugee Sawol who dreams of following in his footsteps.
Film
Love and Leashes
Image courtesy of Netflix
Directed by: Park Hyun-jin
Writer: Park Hyeon-jin, Lee Da-hye
Launch date: Feb 11
Starring: Seo Hyun, Lee Jun-Young, EL
What we know about it:Love and Leashes is a film about a different kind of romance between a man with a unique taste and a woman who stumbles upon his secret. Jung Ji-woo, played by Seo Hyun in the film, is a woman who leads a racy romance by engaging in a “special” relationship with her co-worker after she accidentally learns about his secret peculiarities. Performing outstandingly across an array of genres like in the musical Rising star Lee Jun-young will play the role of Jung Ji-hoo, a man with unusual tastes.
Yaksha: Ruthless Operations
Image courtesy of Netflix
Directed by: Na Hyun
Writer: An Sang-hoon, Na Hyun
Starring: Sul Kyung-gu, Park Hae-soo, HIROYUKI Ikeuchi, Yang Dong-keun, EL, Song Jae-lim, Park Jin-young
What we know about it: Yaksha: Ruthless Operations unfolds as a merciless man known as “Yaksha” crosses paths with a prosecutor on a special inspection mission in Shenyang, a city in China notorious for espionage. Director Na Hyun makes his long-awaited comeback. Sul Kyung-gu plays the callous head of the overseas espionage team, also known as the man-eating Yaksha, who accomplishes his goals by hook or by crook. Park Hae-soo, a global star from Squid Game, plays the role of Ji-hoon, a prosecutor demoted to Shenyang for playing it by the book.
Carter
Image courtesy of Netflix
Directed by: Jung Byung-gil
Writer: Jung Byung-gil, Jung Byeong-sik
Starring: Joo Won
What we know about it: Carter is a new original film about an agent suffering from memory loss who is thrown into the middle of a mysterious mission. At the helm of the series is director Jung Byung-gil, behind many unique action films. Joo Won, who played powerful roles in Good doctor, Yong-pal, transforms into an action hero in Director Jung Byung-gil’s new work. In the series, Carter is a top agent who awakens one day with a complete loss of memory, but is then thrown into the mission of a lifetime. Joo Won will portray the character’s inner struggle as he deals with the uncertainties of his mission.
20th Century Girl
Image courtesy of Netflix
Directed by: Bang Woo-ri
Starring: Kim You-jung, Byeon Woo-seok, Park Jung-woo, Roh Yoon-seo
What we know about it: In 1999–the last year of the 20th century–seventeen-year-old Bo-ra finds her first love: a sweet, pure but heartbreaking relationship. Years later in the 21st century, news about her first love revives her teenage romance that she once thought had forgotten. The 20th Century Girl narrates the lives of the youth in their 20s, filled with vivid moments of love and friendship. Starring the popular Kim You-jung, Byeon Woo-seok, Park Jung-woo, and Roh Yoon-Seo, this pit-a-patting film, directed by Bang Woo-ri, who won the Best Short Film award for Mrs.Young at the Blue Dragon Awards.
JUNG_E
Image courtesy of Netflix
Directed by: Yeon Sang-ho
Writer: Yeon Sang-ho
Starring: Kang Soo-youn, Kim Hyun-joo, Ryu Kyung-soo
What we know about it: In a desolated Earth in the 22nd century that is no longer inhabitable due to climate change, an internal war breaks out in the shelter built for human survival. Victory–meaning the end of the war–now hinges on finding a way to clone the legendary mercenary JUNG_E into a scalable robot. Orchestrated by Director Yeon Sang-ho of Train to Busan, Peninsula, and Hellbound, and with a colorful cast–Kang Soo-youn, Kim Hyun-joo, Ryu Kyung-soo , JUNG_E portrays a unique theme combined with dystopia, cloning, and technology.
Seoul Vibe
Directed by: Moon Hyun-sung
Starring: Yoo Ah-in, Ko Kyung-Pyo, Lee kyoo-hyung, Park Ju-hyun, Ong Seong-wu
What we know about it: Action blockbuster Seoul Vibe narrates a talented crew of baby drivers, known as the Sangedong Supreme team. With the world’s eyes drained to the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, the illegal transactions of capital (funds) is a significant issue. A special operation driven by the Sangedong Supreme team initiates to unravel the corruption behind the slush funds. With an all-star cast of Yoo Ah-in, Ko Kyung-pyo, Lee kyoo-hyung, Park Ju-hyun, Ong Seong-wu, the cast portrays this incredible chase in the city of Seoul tightly packed with breathtaking action scenes.
Unscripted Show
Celeb Five: Behind the Curtain
Image courtesy of Netflix
Directed by: Kim Joo-hyung, Go Min-seok
Starring: Kim Shin-young, Song Eun-i, Shin Bong-seon, An Young-mi
What we know about it: A fake documentary, Celeb Five: Behind the Curtain takes a peek into how Celeb Five (Kim Shin-young, Song Eun-yi, Shin Bong-sun, Ahn Young-mi) goes on marathons of ideation meetings to plan an amazing stage after being offered a solo show on Netflix. Their behind-the-stage work, more ingenious and hilarious than the on-stage show itself, provides laughter and fun with endless gut-busting stories, all-of-a-sudden pretend play, skits made on-the-fly and all the improvs. Produced by Company SangSang, known for its great synergy with Netflix on shows like Busted, Twogether and New World, and co-directed by Celeb Five and Director Kim Joo-hyoung, praised for having laid the groundwork for Korean standing comedies with Park Na-rae: Glamour Warning and Lee Su-geun: The Sense Coach.
With text by Leo Balante