It’s getting colder outside, but you can warm up your soul with Korean movies and dramas! Recently, Netflix has been busy serving viewers with plenty of great content from Korea— movies, TV shows, dramas, and original animations tailored to your viewing preferences! Check out some of our top recommendations below.
“What Happened To Mr. Cha?“
“What Happened To Mr. Cha?” is a comedy movie with a run time of 1h 42m. The movie follows a fictionalized version of actor Cha In Pyo’s life. With the peak of his career long behind him, he clings to his past glory until a sudden wake up call forces him to face the fact that he’s no longer at the top of his game. This film will make you laugh out loud at the outrageous scenes in which this famous actor is placed.
Starring: Cha In Pyo, Song Jae Ryong
“Busted!“
“Busted!: Season 3″ is coming January 22nd! Each episode features guest celebrities who will play characters that tie into each episode. The characters are somehow involved in the plot, which will lead the cast to find clues for solving each mystery. Hilarious hijinks will ensue as the cast challenges their minds (and sometimes bodies) in various puzzles and games along the way.
Starring: Yoo Jae Suk, Kim Jong Min, Lee Kwang Soo, Park Min Young, Oh Se Hun, Kim Se Jeong, Lee Seung Gi
“Running Man“
“Running Man” is an 48-episode animated series based on the Korean variety show of the same name. The main plot of the cartoon is about the 100th Annual Running Man Championship, a series of team or individual competitions. Seven animals from each tribe represent their tribe in the competitions: Liu the Grasshopper, Kuga the Tiger, Gai the Ninja Monkey, Lonky the Giraffe Prince, Popo the Penguin, Pala the Impala, and Miyo the Cat. There is a second season that was released in 2020 in Korea, but the first season is what has finally been made available on Netflix for international viewers.
“Korean Pork Belly Rhapsody“
“Korean Pork Belly Rhapsody” is a food documentary in two parts. Netflix describes it perfectly by stating, “It’s a love letter to pork belly, a perennial favorite among Koreans of every generation.” The documentary explores many things behind pork belly, such as the history and cooking methods of the meat, as well as why Koreans love this dish so much.
Starring: Baek Jong Won
“Wish You”
“Wish You” is a LGBTQ movie with a run time of 1h 41m. It’s all about singing and dreaming. As a talented singer-songwriter and keyboardist of the same age live and work together, their relationship slowly grows. Together, they add new harmony and love to each other’s lives as new feelings begin to blossom.
Starring: Kang In Soo, Lee Sang
“Sweet Home”
“Sweet Home” is a horror TV drama with ten episodes. Cha Hyun Soo’s quiet, yet lonely life is soon turned upside down when horrifying incidents begin to occur in his new building. As humans turn into savage monsters and wreak terror, he and his neighbors fight to survive while finding out who the real monsters are after all.
Starring: Song Kang, Lee Jin Wook, Lee Si Young, Lee Do Hyun
“Run On”
“Run On” is a romance TV drama with 16 episodes. It tells the love story of Gi Sun Gyeom, a track star who comes from a prestigious family and has always tried to live a quiet life. Once he meets Oh Mi Joo, a film translator who begins to work as his own personal translator, he soon decides to follow his heart and allow his steps to take him on a new journey that might not be as quiet and orderly as usual.
Starring: Im Si Wan, Shin Se Kyung, Choi Soo Young, Kang Tae Oh
“The Guest”
“The Guest” is a horror series with 16 episodes. It is based on exorcism and shamanism. A psychic named Hwa Pyung, a priest named Choi Yoon, and a detective named Kang Kil Young become bound together by their tragic past. As such, they join forces to take down a powerful spirit that’s driven by a thirst for blood. Originally released on OCN, the series has just become available on Netflix for international viewers.
Starring: Kim Dong Wook, Kim Jae Wook, Jung Eun Chae
“100 Days My Prince”
“100 Days My Prince” is a historical, romantic comedy with 16 episodes. The TV series follows a story of a crown prince named Lee Yul who loses his memory. He encounters Joseon’s oldest bachelorette and through a twist of fate, he soon experiences life as a commoner that may just lead him to an unforgettable love as well. The series was released previously in Korea, but the popular drama has just now become available on Netflix.
Starring: Do Kyung Soo, Nam Ji Hyun
“Lovestruck in the City”
“Lovestruck in the City” is a series with 16 episodes of 30 minutes each. Each episode is shot in an interview style where six different people tell their own stories of love. The main story revolves around Park Jae Won and Lee Eun Oh, two people who fell in love while on vacation before Eun Oh suddenly cut off contact. A year later, Jae Won is still unable to forget her and wonders what he did wrong.
Starring: Ji Chang Wook, Kim Ji Won, Kim Min Seok, So Joo Yeon, Ryu Kyung Soo, Han Ji Eun
Which Korean release is on your watchlist this month? What other series or films do you plan on watching? Let us know your thoughts by tweeting to us @whatthekpop1!
Polina has been recognized as an Honorary Korean Travel Ambassador since 2013. She always makes an effort to share the many aspects of Korea throughout the world and to express her affections for Korea. She graduated with two qualifications: Organizer of Tourism and Leisure and Management of Hotel and Restaurant.
Media: Netflix