The South Korean film industry boasts a score of good movies last year, most notably director Yeon Sang Ho’s (of “King of Pigs” and “Seoul Station” fame) epic zombie feature, “Train to Busan” (부산행) and Park Chan Wook’s (of “Old Boy” fame) erotic thriller, “The Handmaiden”.
Moviegoers would be delighted to know that this year won’t be short of blockbusters. Featuring high quality production, immense star power, and intriguing storylines, here are 5 upcoming Korean movies that all Hallyu fans should look out for in 2017:
1. The King (더킹)
- Release Date: January 2017
- Director: Han Jae Rim
- Cast: Jo In Sung, Jung Woo Sung, Kim Ah Joong, Bae Sung Woo
Penned and helmed by Han Jae Rim, “The King” follows a poor man named Tae Soo (played by Jo In Sung) who decides to become a prosecutor after learning that power is the biggest symbol of success in the 90’s. When he finally become a prosecutor, he befriends a group of powerful prosecutors by chance. Though he enjoys the sweet side of being on top, he also sees the cruel side of it.
2. Confidential Assignment (공조)
- International Release Date: January 2017
- Director: Kim Sung Hoon
- Cast: Yoo Hae Jin, Hyun Bin, Girls’ Generation Yoona, Kim Joo Hyuk, Lee Dong Hwi
“Confidential Assignment” is a action-comedy that follows North Korean detective Im Chul-Ryung (played by Hyun Bin) and his quest to to catch Cha Ki-Sung (played by Kim Joo Hyeok), the boss of a refugee crime organisation who escapes to South Korea. There, he cooperates with South Korea detective Kang Jin Tae (Yoo Hae Jin). For the first time, the 2 countries cooperate to take down a criminal.
3. Battleship Island (군함도)
- Release Date: TBA
- Director: Ryoo Seung Wan
- Cast: Song Joong Ki, So Ji Sub, Hwang Jung Min, Lee Jung Hyun, Shin Seung Hwan
Set in the Japanese colonial era, “Battleship Island” sees about 400 people, who were forced to mine coal in Hashima, try to escape. Lee Kang Ok (played by Hwang Jung Min), a bandmaster at Kyungsung Hotel, will do anything to protect his only daughter while Choi Chil Sung (played by So Ji Sub) is a warm-hearted man who is the best street fighter in the city. The plot also sees Park Moo Yeong (played by Song Joong Ki) infiltrating the island in order to rescue a key figure of the Korean independence movement.
4. VIP
- Release Date: TBA
- Director: Park Hoon Jung
- Cast: Jang Dong Gun, Kim Myun Min, Lee Jong Suk, Park Hee Soon
“VIP” revolves around the son of a high-ranking North Korean official named Kwang Il (played by Lee Jong Suk), who commits a series of murders as he travels the world, resulting in a pursuit from both Koreas (North and South) as well as Interpol. What kind of villain do y’all think Lee would be?
5. Real (리얼)
- Release Date: 2017
- Director: Lee Jung Sub
- Cast: Kim Soo Hyun, Han Ji Eun, Lee Sung Min, Michael Kaufman
“Real” is a story about a colourful city controlled by the underworld, where the life of a ruthless troubleshooter (played by Kim Soo Hyun) is changed after he meets a reporter. According to an insider, former f(x) member Sulli will be going nude for a bed scene with Kim while singer IU and miss A’s Bae Suzy will make special cameo appearances.
Are there any upcoming K-Movies that you think we should be adding to the above list? Feel free to drop us a note in the comments below!
Sources: Asian Wiki, Pop Daily, Wikipedia.
