10 Must-Watch Korean Films Released in 2024

2024 was a very good year for Korean dramas, both series and movies. A lot of movies are still on my watch list because they are not yet available to the US audience. It be like that sometimes. LOL. Have you watched any of these films?

(1) Harbin

A dramatization of the real-life story of Korean independence activist Ahn Jung-geun, who assassinated Itō Hirobumi, the first Prime Minister of Japan, in 1909.

Main Characters:

• An Jung-Geun (played by Hyun Bin)

TRAILER:  Well Go USA Entertainment. “HARBIN.” YouTube, Video, 10 Dec. 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEFkjyj10ec.

♦

(2) Hidden Face

The fiancée of an orchestra conductor disappears but left behind a video message. His fiancée was a cellist in the orchestra and she is replaced by another woman. As he searches for her, he becomes involved with the new cellist. Rather than solving the mystery of his fiancée's disappearance, he finds himself caught up in a complicated web of secrets, desires, and deception with the other woman. But what about his fiancée?

Main Characters:

• Seong-Jin (played by Song Seung-Heon)

• Soo-Yeon (played by Cho Yeo-Jeong)

• Mi-Joo (played by Park Ji-Hyun)

TRAILER:  @bjust_81. “?Hidden Face Trailer Song Seung Heon on Theater November 20th ?.” YouTube, Video, 23 Oct. 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU5Fa8Nh-yc.

♦

(3) I, the Executioner

A serial killer is on the loose and a veteran detective in the Violent Crimes Unit is assisted by a rookie detective who has just joined the team. The serial killer fancies himself a vigilante who is simply ensuring that justice is served. The media has nick-named him “Haechi” (a mythical creature who maintains law and order). This movie is a sequel to “Veteran” (2015).

Main Characters:

• Detective Seo Do-Cheol (played by Hwang Jung-Min)

• Rookie Park Sun-Woo (played by Jung Hae-In)

TRAILER:  Warner Bros Singapore. “I, The Executioner.” YouTube, Video, 30 Sept. 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Caj3acppTA4.

♦

(4) Handsome Guys (a remake of 2010 Canadian film "Tucker and Dale vs Evil")

Don't you just love it when the life you have always dreamed of finally becomes reality? Two guys, carpenters by vocation, who always wanted to live a quiet and simple life in the country moved to their new home. But as soon as they get to town they are mistaken for being kidnappers. It's bad enough when your good intentions are mistaken for evil. It's even worse when you awaken an evil spirit ~ a goat demon ~ that was trapped in the basement of your dream house. Oh! It's just a demonic spirit capable of destroying the world. Thousands of years ago there was one carpenter who was known for casting out demons. A couple of carpenters living in the countryside ought to be able to handle a goat demon ~ easy, peasy.

Main Characters:

• Jae-Pil (played by Lee Sung-Min)

• Sang-Koo (played by Lee Hee-Jun)

TRAILER:  KDTeaser tv. “Handsome Guys (2024).” YouTube, Video, 27 May 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgBTn9I-Ljw.

♦

(5) Land of Happiness

The backdrop for this film is South Korea's political turmoil in 1979. In real history, during that year President Park Chung-hee was assassinated. On December 12, 1979, Major General Chun Doo-hwan led a military coup, declared martial law and took control of the country (“12.12: The Day”). “This period was characterized by political repression, human rights abuses, and the suppression of pro-democracy movements.” (REF: South Korea marks 45 years since 1979 coup and military dictatorship | CNA) According to the real historical record, Kim Jae-gyu, the director of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA), shot the president and he as convicted and executed. In this film, a secretary is implicated in the President's assassination and a lawyer, who must defend the accused, is not sure if there can be a fair trial amidst predetermined military justice.

Main Characters:

• Lawyer Jung In-Hoo (played by Cho Jung-Seok)

• Accused Secretary Park Tae-Joo (played by Lee Sun-Kyun)

TRAILER:  Kdrama Princess. “LAND OF HAPPINESS Movie Trailer 1-2(2024) New Korean Movie Jo Jung Suk, Lee Sun Kyun & Yoo Jae Myung.” YouTube, Video, 21 July 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOq8jL2D4Yw.

♦

(6) Pilot

A pilot who is an ace pilot that the Red Baron would be proud of, somehow managed to lose his job. He wasn't just fired. He was blacklisted and couldn't get a job with any airline. But there's no reason to let his flying skills go to waste. He takes his sister's identity, applies for a pilot job using her name, and gets hired. Who's gonna know? Flying high again! Genius!

Main Characters:

• Han Jung-Woo (played by Cho Jung-Seok)

TRAILER:  Lotte Entertainment (International). “Pilot.” YouTube, Video, 1 Aug. 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsNwUw7Dhwg.

♦

(7) The Plot

A contract killer gets paid to commit murders, cleverly disguising the deaths as accidental. He's a highly skilled professional and never leaves any evidence behind. This particular “job” involves an influential figure in politics that everybody is watching. It will be dangerous and difficult, but not impossible. He has teammates who work with him and is confident he can get the job done. No fuss. No mess. Besides … nothing has ever gone wrong before with his murder-for-hire contracts. Why should this one be any different? Uh oh. You know what they say? Never say NEVER.

Main Characters:

• Young-Il (played by Gang Dong-Won)

• Jackie (played by Lee Mi-Sook)

• Wol-Cheon (played by Lee Hyun-Wook)

• Jeom-Man (played by Tang Joon-Sang)

TRAILER:  KDTeaser tv. “The Plot (2024) .” YouTube, Video, 16 May 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MsTEDdyi0E.

♦

(8) Escape

A North Korean soldier tries to defect and make it across the DMZ border. But an officer in North Korea's State Security Department tries to stop him. To paraphrase the script:

• NK Officer: “Get real, soldier! You know escape is not allowed.”

• NK Soldier: “Yeah. That's why I didn't ask permission.”

Main Characters:

• Im Kyu-Nam (played by Lee Je-Hoon)

• Ri Hyun-Sang (played by Koo Kyo-Hwan)

• Sun Woo-Min (played by Song Kang)

TRAILER:  Well Go USA Entertainment. “ESCAPE.” YouTube, Video, 5 June 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mPzDILlt5g.

♦

(9) Walker

A teenager is faced with a difficult decision. He endures school bullying by day and domestic violence at home. His father is violent and his mother leaves because she can't take it anymore. He wants to stay with his father but he has to choose which parent to live with. It should be an easy choice. Why isn't it?

Main Characters:

• Jeong Hoon (played by Ahn Ji-Ho)

• Jeong Moo Jin (played by Ahn Nae-Sang)

• Lee So Yeon (played by Yun Yoo-Sun)

TRAILER:  EonTalk. “Walker (2024) 검은 소년 Movie Trailer 2.” YouTube, Video, 29 Jan. 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhN3zGW_IZQ.

♦

(10) You Will Die in 6 Hours

A young woman walking down the street is approached by a strange young man who tells her that she will die in 6 hours. He knows this because he can see the future. On the plus side: At least he doesn't know it because he plans to kill her! (O.o)

Main Characters:

• Joon-Woo (played by Jaehyun)

• Jeong-Yoon (played by Park Ju-Hyun)

• Detective Ki-Hoon (played by Kwak Si-Yang)

TRAILER:  GSCinemas. “You Will Die In 6 Hours.” YouTube, Video, 25 Oct. 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8G6DoWE2fA.

♦

Awesome Korean Drama Based on True Love Story: Dong Yi (2010)

HA! That stands for hooked again!! My new addiction is watching Korean historical drama TV series. There are way too many of them for me to keep up. They are so exciting and interesting, even though the basic plot in most of the series is pretty much the same.

What's the basic plot, you ask?

Eh! Some palace intrigue on the inside, rivalry among the nobles and scholars on the outside, honorable slaves, and commoners who prove time again that being poor and uneducated does not equal stupid! ... and of course, the love triangle.  No Korean drama is complete without the love triangle. △

For each series, the script writers take this plot, create different and intricate twists and turns, and develop characters that make the viewers immediately choose sides and start rooting for them! I like this lady or this man! But that person has got to go! When the ruthless evil characters finally go down, you're pumping your fist in the air and going Yeah! A flood of relief washes over you and then you have to remind yourself that it's just a TV show. :)

 

Image credit: Official poster found at viki.com

While seeking and finding more and more historical series to satisfy my K-drama addiction, found “Dong Yi” (2010). This television program is directed by Lee Byung Hoon, who also directed "Jewel in the Palace" (2003).

Reviews indicate that Hoon's 2003 series was extremely successful, so it went on my watch list. But because the 2010 series includes in its cast an admirable child actress, Kim Yoo Jung, who also starred in “Tamra the Island” (2009) and “The Moon Embracing the Sun” (2012) ~ her cute little face drew me in. The series is based on the life of a real historical person: Royal Noble Consort Suk of the Haeju Choi clan.

{Side Note – According to recent reports in South Korean entertainment news publications, Ms. Jung's latest project, “Moonlight Drawn By Clouds” aired its first episode during the 4th week of this month, August 2016. It is being well received.  Series at viki.com.}

Back on point. The child character played by little Ms. Jung, is a “commoner”, i.e. not born into a noble family, who grows up into a beautiful and intelligent, caring and compassionate young woman, played by Han Hyo Joo. The character's name is … what else? Dong Yi!

She went from the child who had everything taken away from her to the woman who had the world laid at her feet. According to all the fortune tellers, “her light” was going to shine brightly in the land of Joseon.

Nothing annoys me more than reviews with spoilers, so extra precaution is taken to constrain myself and not to reveal too much. Here are my impressions so far.

Good start! Series starts off with a very peaceful idyllic scene of a man fishing and enjoying a quiet leisure moment. The silence is immediately shattered when the man is brutally murdered. But before he breathes his last breath, guess who finds him? A young child named Dong Yi!

Good fortune? I'll say! This lady was born under the Lisa Bonet lucky star. She got two hot guys wrapped around her finger! If you know who Lisa Bonet is and you watch this show, then you'll understand my meaning. :)

60 episodes and I've only reached the halfway mark. What's the hook the writers used to keep you interested all the way to the very end? A butterfly! Don't know about everybody else, but I love butterflies!

Dong Yi ~ Official Trailer

* * Related or Similar Articles:

Did Dong Yi and King Sukjong really have a long romance?

The Best Korean Historical Drama

Do You Heart Butterflies? | Webnuggetz.com

Original source

Watch Asian Dramas ~ Free Online Streaming

Streaming Services for Korean Dramas: Netflix versus Viki

In the USA, the most popular streaming sites for Korean dramas are Netflix and Viki. Maybe I shouldd say, the most popular streaming sites that I know of.  I have been a long-time Netflix subscriber and even though I give Netflix credit for introducing me to the wonderful world of Korean drama, I am a loyal Viki viewer. I became a loyal Viki viewer because Netflix didn't have enough TV series and movies to satisfy my appetite.  Especially not enough sageuk or historical period K-dramas.

These days, Netflix has added lots more K-dramas to their database; and their Netflix Original Series are very entertaining.  The Viki Original Series are equally entertaining.

• If you want to watch a Netflix Original Series, I highly recommend: Mr. Sunshine (2018); My Country: The New Age (2019); and The King's Affection (2021).  

• If you want to watch a Viki Original Series, I highly recommend:  Lovers of the Red Sky (2021); and The King Loves (2017).  Viki has lots more original series that I could suggest but I prefer to finish them and write reviews first, before telling others to dd to their watch list.

Rakuten Viki ~ The Heart of Asian Entertainment

𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐊𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐬?

Who knows what else I might find if I check different streaming sites. Thanks!!

My Sageuk Addiction – Medium

Under the Queen's Umbrella: Korean Drama TV Series on Netfilx Released in 2022

Under the Queen's Umbrella is a Korean historical period drama series, released in 2022, that is currently streaming on Netflix. 

16 intense episodes. Viewers gave this series 4.9 out of 5 stars. I totally agree.  Kim Hye-Soo's performance as Queen Im Hwa-Ryeong is award-worthy. But giving credit where credit is due, quite frankly, all of the actors and actresses in this series gave exemplary performances. They played their roles as if they were real historical figures in the Joseon Era.

The worth of the flowers in the palace, i.e. the king's women, is judged by how many sons they bare the king. 

 Queen Im Hwa-Ryeong (played by Kim Hye-Soo) has been very fortunate. She bore five (5) sons for the king. Her oldest son is the crown prince, but he is suffering from a life-threatening illness. He could die any day! If he were to die, who would take his place? The crown prince already has a son of his own, so according to the line of succession, his son, her grandson, should be heir to the throne. Then as alternatives, one of his brothers, her four other sons who are grand princes, could be chosen. But her sons are perfectly content to never be king. She would have been content to allow them not to pursue the throne EXCEPT … the deposed queen (i.e. the queen before her) also had many sons.  When she realized the lives of her sons were in jeopardy, she immediately made up her mind that her sons would not suffer the same fate as Queen Yoon and her sons.

Queen Im Hwa-Ryeong now understands that THIS IS WAR!

Read full review at My Sageuk Addiction on Medium.com.

Original source

Korean Movies With Hitchcock Titles: "Vertigo"

In a previous blog post, I shared entertainment trivia about "Spellbound", a Korean movie with the same name as a Hitchcock film. In this post, I will discuss "Vertigo".

♦ Vertigo (2019)

Main Characters:

• Seo-Young (played by Chun Woo-Hee)

• Lee Jin-Soo (played by Yoo Teo)

• Kwon-Woo (played by Jeong Jae-Kwang)

STORYLINE:

All the women at the office fantasize about Lee Jin-Soo, but none of them have ever gotten to first base with him. So they settle for talking about him during their lunch break. The conversation makes Seo-Young feel uncomfortable, so she excuses herself from the lunch group. They don't know why she reacted that way, but they dismiss it and continue talking. Her co-workers did not know that Seo-Young was having a secret affair with her manager, Lee Jin-So. She thought she could have a wonderful life with Lee Jin-So. Except … all of a sudden he ghosted her and she didn't understand why. As if a failed relationship wasn't bad enough, she went to the doctor because of certain physical ailments and learned that she suffered from Vertigo.

Lee Jin-So was fired because the company's CCTV video showed him having sex with one of the employees. But that employee was not Seo-Young, so she didn't get fired. Seo-Young was a little baffled but she didn't dare ask for more information about the manager's termination. Another manager approached her and told her that he had seen the video of her with Lee Jin-So but didn't tell anyone. Then he tried to secure sexual favors from her, in return for keeping it a secret. When she refused, he physically assaulted her.

Seo-Young did not know it but she had a secret admirer, Kwon-Woo, who worked as a contract window cleaner. It so happened that Kwon-Woo was cleaning windows and saw what was happening to her. He banged on the glass panes, making loud noises. When the manager realized that someone had witnessed his behavior he left immediately. Seo-Young was grateful for Kwon-Woo's help. But the incident left her distraught and depressed. She wanted to die! But Kwon-Woo really wanted her to live. Could he convince her that life was worth living?

• GENRE: Secret Romance, Workplace or Office Drama

• IMDb Rating: 6 out of 10 stars

• MyDrama List: 7.1 out of 10 stars

• Letterboxd: 3.2 out of 5 stars

♦♦ Vertigo (1958): (Psychological drama, Thriller and Suspense) James Stewart plays a retired San Francisco police detective John "Scottie" Ferguson. After a traumatic incident on the job, he developed acrophobia (a fear of heights). An old friend confides in him that his wife, Madeleine Elster played by Kim Novak, has begun to act strangely. He hires “Scottie” to follow his wife around, but the detective becomes obsessed with her. His covert investigation reveals a disturbing truth about her identity.

Korean Movies With Hitchcock Titles: "Spellbound"

Alfred Hitchcock earned his reputation as the master of psychological thriller and suspense. While searching for Korean dramas to watch, I stumbled upon 2 films that had the same title as a Hitchcock movie which made me curious. 

However, it seems the only similarity between the Hitchcock movies and the Korean movies is the title. Even so, these K-dramas were interesting to watch. There is a little bit of entertainment trivia about the Hitchcock movies, for contrast and comparison.

♦ Spellbound (2011)

(Also known by the title “Chilling Romance”)

Main Characters:

• Ma Jo-Goo (played by Lee Min-Ki)

• Kang Yeo-Ri (played by Son Ye-Jin)

STORYLINE:

Ma Jo-Goo is a talented street magician but his act is going nowhere. While performing for the audience, he noticed a mysterious woman in the crowd. When he finished his show he followed and caught up with her. Her dark and mysterious look had inspired him and he wanted her to be a part of his show. She agreed to work for him and his magic act became a success. It was called Jo-Goo Ma's Horror Illusion. After work, Jo-Goo likes to treat his workers to dinner and drinks, but Kang Yeo-Ri always refuses. She was loaded with excuses. But never told anyone her real reason. The truth was much more frightening.

Kang Yeo-Ri had a secret and that was why she lived alone, could never have a boyfriend, and pretended to be happy. One night her boss insisted she join them for dinner. She had one too many drinks and did something that embarrassed her boss. Strangely though, after that night at the company dinner, Ma Jo-Goo was drawn to her. As he got closer, he learned her secret and it terrified him. However, even though he was scared, he still wanted to be with her. Who says you can't be in love AND be scared to death to be with person you love?

• GENRE: Romantic, Comedy, Horror

• IMDb Rating: 6.8 out of 10 stars

• MyDrama List: 8 out of 10 stars

♦♦ Hitchcock's Spellbound (1945): (Psychological drama, Thriller, and Suspense) Ingrid Bergman plays Dr. Constance Petersen, a psychiatrist who wants to treat her new patient, John Ballantine, played by Gregory Peck. He is suffering from amnesia. When her mental health treatment indicates that he may know details about a murder, she gets help from a fellow psychiatrist. His memory loss is the result of a trauma and the doctors work together to unlock the memories buried in the patient's subconscious mind. The film combines elements of, exploring themes of identity, memory, and mental health, all while incorporating a complex plot twist and a dramatic climax.

Tomorrow With You ~ Can a Time Traveler Change the Future?

“Tomorrow With You” is a 2017 drama series, with 16 episodes, and can be categorized as Time Travel, Romance, Comedy (Rom-Com) and Fantasy or Supernatural.

• SUMMARY: Suppose you meet someone on one day and that chance meeting saved your life. Then on another day you see your lifeless body being a carried away and the lifeless body of the woman who saved your life is also being carried away. Since you have the ability to time travel, maybe you can go back and sever the relationship you have with her. That should be fix everything. Right? That might work IF ... the ability to travel through time also gives you the ability to change the future. But if it doesn't ...

Image credit

♦ Life is Shorter Than You Think

Yoo So-joon is a handsome, young and wealthy CEO. You could say he has it all. What more could he ask for? Love? Well, that's obvious. But what else? How about the ability to travel through time? That wasn't exactly something that Yoo So-joon had on his wish list. But one day while riding the subway train, he felt a terrible pain in his head. The next thing he knew he was in a different time period. As soon as he got off the train he met another time traveler. The time traveler told him he'll have to get used to going back and forth between past, present, and future. But the most important rule is to never be in the same time period with yourself. He can't be with his present self and his future self at the same time. That's bad!

OK! Important safety tip! But guess what happened? Yoo So-joon saw his dead body being carried away on a stretcher. There was also a woman who had died and her name was Song Ma-Rin. Yoo So-joon wondered if it was possible to change the outcome of this tragic event. He time traveled again and it turns out he and Song Ma-Rin were married. In another time period, he and Song Ma-Rin were both on the same train. They got into an argument with each other and got off the train. While they were still arguing, the train blew up! Yoo So-joon had intended to stay on the train that day. If he had, he would have died.

Somehow the timelines of their lives were intertwined. In one period, she saved his life. In another, they both died together.

Song Ma-Rin is unaware that Yoo So-joon has already seen her future. She is barely managing to live in the present because her past keeps getting in the way. Song Ma-Rin used to be a child star but when she grew up she did not pursue an acting career. The problem is reporters keep writing articles about how she has not accomplished anything since her fame as a child actress and this gets in the way of her moving forward. When she met Yoo So-Joon he gave her this advice: "Life is shorter than you think. You shouldn't be hung up on the past.” He could say that, since Yoo So-joon already knew her future.

Yoo So-joon decided to traveled back in time to see if he could break their connection. If he could somehow sever their relationship, they wouldn't be together, they wouldn't fall in love and get married, and they probably would not die in a terrible accident. But does having the ability to time-travel also give you the ability to change your future?

Main Characters:

• Song Ma-Rin (played by Shin Min-A**)

• Yoo So-Joon (played by Lee Je-Hoon, “Chief Inspector 1958”, “Taxi Driver 1 and 2”, “Move to Heaven”, “My Paparotti”, “Time to Hunt”)

** Shin Min-A is a Korean actress who popped up on my radar in “Arang and the Magistrate ”. She stars in several Korean dramas that are still on my watch list: “Diva”, “Chief of Staff 1 and 2”, “Oh My Venus” (award-winning), and “Hometown Cha Cha Cha”. Have you watched any of these?

• Where to Watch: The Roku Channel and Tubi TV

Viewership and Ratings:

• IMDb Rating: 7.4 out of 10 stars

• My Drama List: 8 out of 10 stars

• Dramabeans: 8.3 out of 10 stars

• Letterboxd: 3.6 out of 5 stars

• Google users public rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars

My personal rating is the same as My Drama List.

This Kdrama series had mixed reviews. Some did not give high marks for the acting or the script. Others said it was underrated and thought the chemistry between the couple was great.

I am always interested in how a scriptwriter will spin a time travel fantasy / love story. In “Tomorrow With You”:

• The female lead had a difficult time trying to get away from her past, so that she could live productively in the present.

• The male lead was trying to get away from his grim future that had her in it.

He felt should she could easily fix her problem if she just wasn't hung up on her past. Whereas the best way to fix his problem was to get her out of his life, because she is the problem!

I had to see how this was going to work out.

LINKS OF INTEREST:

Tomorrow With You | Korean Drama Review (“A beautiful, languidly romantic time traveling story,...”)

Twelve (12) of the Best Time Travel K Dramas And Where To Watch Them | TODAY

Lee Je Hoon: An Actor Review | Drama Homebody

Tomorrow With You ~ Can a Time Traveler Change the Future? https://t.co/qMhn9txwm3 #kdramas #Koreandrama #allthingshallyu #entertainment #popcornworthy #fantasy

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) August 10, 2024

WATCH TRAILER:

Ani-Hongo. “TOMORROW, with YOU (2017) - TRAILER.” YouTube Video. YouTube, March 28, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=824cd8uXz8Y.

‌