Netflix Takes K-Content to New Heights with 2023 Slate13 min read

Over 60% of all Netflix subscribers watched Korean movies and television shows last year, demonstrating the growing popularity of K-content worldwide. In their biggest-ever portfolio of Korean films and episodes, Netflix is launching a wide variety of Korean TV series, films, and unscripted programming in 2023, featuring jaw-dropping original projects alongside returning fan favorites.

“The global popularity of K-content has continued apace over 2022, with Netflix bringing a wider variety of stories and genres to fans around the world. Over the last year, Korean series and films have regularly featured in our Global Top 10 list in more than 90 countries, and three of Netflix’s most-watched shows are from Korea. This year, we’re pushing the envelope further with the stories we tell and how we tell them. With this lineup of Korean titles, Netflix will continue to be the ultimate destination for compelling, diverse, and must-watch Korean storytelling,” said Don Kang, VP of Content (Korea).

K-Series

Love to Hate You

Audiences will become utterly engrossed in the two main characters’ journey from their harsh first encounter—shaped by miscommunication and distrust due to prejudices—to their eventual coming to an understanding. The sizzling chemistry and entertaining, exhilarating romance that Love to Hate You promises to deliver are eagerly anticipated.

The Glory Part 2

Directed by: An Gil-ho

Written by: Kim Eun-sook

Produced by: Hwa&Dam Pictures, Studio Dragon

Starring: Song Hye-kyo, Lee Do-hyun, Lim Ji-yeon, Yeom Hye-ran, Park Sung-hoon, Jung Sung-il 

Release Date: March 2023 

A woman who has committed her life to a precise web of retribution and those who are embroiled in her plot is the subject of the Netflix series The Glory, which chronicles the tale of a lady who was broken by school violence.

A star-studded ensemble, led by Song Hye-kyo, and writer Kim Eun-sook of numerous blockbuster shows were brought together for the project, which was revealed with considerable anticipation.

The Part 1 of the series received a lot of positive reviews for its dramatic developments and the cast’s impassioned performances. Part 1 even came in top on the Global Top 10 (Non-English) TV charts the week of January 2, which heightened expectations for Part 2.

The devastation of the perpetrators of school violence headed by Yeon-jin as they fall one by one into the trap set up by Dong-eun is beautifully and relentlessly portrayed in The Glory Part 2. The stirring message will have a long-lasting emotional impact on audiences everywhere because it inspires righteous rage, empathy, and solidarity.

Bloodhounds  

Directed by: Kim Joo-hwan

Written by: Kim Joo-hwan

Produced by: STUDIO N

Co-produced by: Seed Film, Seven O Six

Based on: WEBTOON original series ‘Bloodhounds’ Created by Jeong Chan

Starring: Woo Do-hwan, Lee Sang-yi, Park Sung-woong, Heo Jun-ho

Release: Q2

In the series Bloodhounds, two young individuals who are looking for money enter the world of loan sharks and become entangled in a web of even darker forces.

Woo Do-hwan reprises his role as Geon-woo in The King: Eternal Monarch, where he gave an outstanding performance in a dual role. Geon-woo enters the world of loan sharks to pay off his debt. Lee Sang-yi, who captivated fans with his multifaceted charm in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, plays Woo-jin, who initially encounters Geon-woo as a boxing opponent but ends up working with him.

Actor Park Sung-woong portrays the ruthless loan shark Myung-gil, who is only motivated by money in whatever he does, and actor Heo Jun-ho portrays Mr. Choi, a former legend among loan sharks who now assists the sick by lending money without interest. Together, they add gravity to the film.

The series, which is based on a Naver webtoon of the same name and is directed and written by Kim Joo-hwan of Midnight Runners, promises to have new chemistry between the characters and unrestrained action.

Celebrity

Directed by: Kim Cheol-kyu

Written by: Kim Yi-young

Produced by: Studio Dragon

Co-produced by: KIMJONGHAK PRODUCTION Co., Ltd., HOW PICTURES

Starring: Park Gyu-young, Kang Min-hyuk, Lee Dong-gun, Jun Hyo-seong

Release: Q2

Known for its realistic depictions of the glamorous and competitive lives of celebrities, Netflix’s Celebrity follows Seo A-ri as she plunges into their world of fame and fortune.

Kim Cheol-kyu, who was nominated for Mother in the first Cannes International Series Festival’s official competition, is the series’ director. Seo A-ri is a rising star who becomes famous overnight thanks to her daring gestures that set her apart from all the other influencers. She is portrayed by rising star Park Gyu-young from the Netflix series Sweet Home as well as The Devil Judge and Dali and the Cocky Prince. Lee Chung-ah portrays Yoon Si-hyeon, who possesses elegance, sophistication, and a renowned background, while Kang Min-hyuk plays Han Jun-kyoung, the CEO of Korea’s top cosmetic brand.

Celebrity will have viewers giving their “likes” for the series nonstop thanks to the tale of A-ri, who launched herself into the life of a celebrity where the number of followers equals her competitive edge and the whirlwind of events that she drags people around her into.

Queenmaker 

Directed by: Oh Jin-seok

Written by: Moon Ji-young

Produced by: INSIGHT FILM Co., Ltd. 

Co-Produced by: Studio Focus x Co., Ltd., ASTORY Co., Ltd.

Starring: Kim Hee-ae, Moon So-ri, Ryu Soo-young, Seo Yi-sook

Release: Q2

In the Netflix series Queenmaker, public relations expert Hwang Do-hee, who formerly oversaw the Corporate Strategy Team at Eunsung Group, engages in an election campaign for human rights attorney Oh Kyung-sook, also known as Ms. Rhino, because of her ability to endure many ups and downs, in an effort to elect her as the mayor of Seoul.

In their historic first performance together in this Netflix series, Moon So-ri, renowned for her unmatched presence through the diverse characters she has played, assumes the role of human rights lawyer Oh Kyung-sook, while Kim Hee-ae, regarded without a doubt as one of the greatest actors in Korea for her powerful performances, plays PR genius Hwang Do-hee.

Black Knight

Directed by: Cho Ui-seok

Written by: Cho Ui-seok

Based on: Toomics webtoon ‘Delivery Knight’ (written by Lee Yoon-gyun)

Produced by: PROJECT318 

Starring: Kim Woo-bin, Song Seung-heon, Kang You-seok, Esom 

Release: Q2

Black Knight is a Netflix series that follows the legendary deliveryman “5-8” with extraordinary battle skills as he encounters refugee Sa-wol, who dreams of following in his footsteps because becoming a deliveryman is the only hope for refugees in this world. The series is set in 2071, where people must breathe through respirator masks due to extreme air pollution.

The series, which is based on a well-known webtoon, shows a world where only 1% of the human race has survived and strict social stratification has been established in the desolate regions of the Korean Peninsula, where deliverymen play crucial roles in a society that has ceased to function as it should.
While Song Seung-heon portrays Ryu Seok, the lone heir of the Chun-myung Group, which rules the world by profiting from oxygen, actor Kim Woo-bin is 5-8, a legendary deliveryman who is unrivaled by anybody.

Kang You-seok, who has been expanding his range as an actor with appearances in Start-up and Once Again, plays Sa-wol, a refugee youngster who desires to become a deliveryman himself and has a height of 5-8, and he brings new life to the series.
Cho Ui-seok, the director of Master, Cold Eyes, and The World of Silence, is renowned for his tightly wound narratives, artistic cinematography, and cathartic action.

A Time Called You 

Directed by: Kim Jin-won

Written by: Choi Hyo-bi

Produced by: npio entertainment Co., Ltd., LIAN CONTENTS Co., Ltd., Studio Flow, Inc.

Starring: Ahn Hyo-seop, Jeon Yeo-been, Kang Hoon 

Release: Q3

In the time-traveling love story A Time Called You, Jun-hee, who is missing her sweetheart who went away a year ago, travels to 1998 to meet Si-heon, who resembles her boyfriend.
The series immediately gained notoriety as it was revealed that it was a remake of the well-known Taiwanese romance Someday or One Day.

Ahn Hyo-seop, who has been in the films Business Proposal, Still 17, and Dr. Romantic 2, plays the dual roles of Gu Yeon-jun, Jun-boyfriend, hee’s and Nam Si-heon from 1998, who looks eerily similar.
Han Jun-hee and Kwon Min-ju are once again played by Jeon Yeo-been of the Netflix series Glitch, the Netflix movie Night in Paradise, and shows like Vincenzo.

Jeon Yeo-been gives subtle performances as two individuals who share the same appearance but have very different personalities. Kang Hoon, a rising star known for his roles in The Red Sleeve and Little Women, portrays Jung In-gyu, who must choose between friendship and love after learning that his longtime infatuation Min-ju adores his closest buddy Si-heon. This portrays the innocent, unadulterated love of an 18-year-old lad.

Song of the Bandits

Directed by: Hwang Jun-hyuk

Written by: Han Jung-hoon

Produced by: Urban Works, Baram Pictures

Starring: Kim Nam-gil, Seo hyun, Yoo Jae-myung, Lee Hyun-wook, Lee Ho-jung 

Release: Q3

A group of characters who end up in the lawless country of Gando for various reasons eventually band together to protect Joseon for the Korean people in this action adventure set during the turbulent era of Japanese colonial authority over Korea.

The tremendous drama that will take place as many organizations with their own goals, such as Japanese troops, the Korean Independence Army, hitmen, bandits, and Joseon migrants, come into conflict in the 1920s anarchic nation of Gando, is eagerly anticipated.

Following the success of their past works, like Bad Guys: Vile City and Squad 38, which featured magnificent, explosive action and drama, writer Han Jung-hoon and director Hwang Jun-hyuk reunite for Song of the Bandits.

D.P. Season 2 

Directed by: Han Jun-hee

Written by: Kim Bo-tong, Han Jun-hee

Based on: D.P. Dog Day (webtoon by Kim Bo-tong)

Produced by: Climax Studio

Starring: Jung Hae-in, Koo Kyo-hwan, Kim Sung-kyun, Son Suk-ku, Ji Jin-hee , Kim Ji-hyun 

Release: Q3

In the Netflix series D.P., Jun-ho and Ho-yeol of the Korean military’s Deserter Pursuit unit confront realities that were previously unknown to them as they pursue deserters with a variety of backstories.
D.P.’s debut season received a lot of praise for its social satire and struck a chord with a wide audience.
The eagerly awaited D.P. season 2 reunites director Han Jun-hee and the same main cast members from the first season, including Jung Hae-in and Koo Kyo-hwan, who played An Jun-ho and Han Ho-yeol, respectively, the fantastic D.P. unit duo, Kim Sung-kyun, who played D.P. Unit Chief Park Beom-gu, and Son Suk-ku, who played Lieutenant Lim Ji-seo

Mask Girl  

Directed by: Kim Yong-hoon

Written by: Kim Yong-hoon

Produced by: House of Impression, Bon Factory

Starring: Go Hyun-jung, Ahn Jae-hong, Yeom Hye-ran, Nana

Release: Q3

Kim Mo-mi, an everyday office worker who is self-conscious about her appearance and a live-streamer by night who hides her face with a mask, is the subject of the novel Mask Girl, which follows her as she is caught up in an unexpected incident and experiences a dramatic turn of circumstances.Many viewers adored the original webtoon of the same name, on which the series is based, for its unexpected turns, caustic commentary on lookism, and the seamless fusion of suspense and black humour.Kim Mo-mi is portrayed by actors Go Hyun-jung and Nana in separate times, while Ahn Jae-hong portrays Kim Mo-crush-on-her mi’s coworker Ju Oh-nam and Yeom Hye-ran is Ju Oh-mother. nam’sThe series is directed by Kim Yong-hoon, who captured the attention of the entire world with his feature debut, Beasts Clawing at Straws, which earned the Special Jury Award at the 49th International Film Festival Rotterdam.

Gyeongseong Creature

Directed by: Chung Dong-yoon

Written by: Kang Eun K

Produced by: STORY & PICTURES MEDIA

Co-produced by: kakao ENTERTAINMENT, Studio Dragon

Starring: Park Seo-jun, Han So-hee, Claudia Kim, Kim Hae-sook, Cho Han-cheul, Wi Ha-jun 

Release: Q4

A creature thriller about two young people fighting for survival as they encounter a monster created out of human avarice is set in the spring of 1945, one of the worst periods in Korean history.
Through this series, two of Korea’s top performers, Park Seo-jun and Han So-hee, collaborate for the first time.

Park Seo-jun of Itaewon Class and What’s wrong with Secretary Kim portrays the richest man in Seoul and proprietor of the Golden Treasure Pawnshop, Jang Tae-sang. Han So-hee, who has made a name for herself through the Netflix series My Name and Nevertheless, assumes the identity of Yoon Chae-ok, a sleuth renowned for her capacity to find anyone—even the dead.

This massive production will be led by director Chung Dong-yoon of Hot Stove League and writer Kang Eun K of Dr. Romantic.