The weekend is in and you have no plans to head out. You're tucked in bed and looking for your next show to binge-watch. Fret not, these new Korean Netflix releases might just get you hooked. Whether you're into crime thrillers, period dramas or just looking for a laugh with variety shows, we're sure there will be something suited to your taste.
Nocturnal
The movie Nocturnal, which premiered in theatres this February, is now available on Netflix. This film tells the story of younger brother Seok-tae (Park Jong-hwan), who is found dead, and his older brother Min-tae (Ha Jung-woo) who sets out to uncover the truth after his wife, Moon Yeong (Yu Da-in), vanishes without a trace. Min-tae meets the best-selling novelist Ho-ryung (Kim Nam-gil), who appears to have foreseen everything while searching for clues to the death of Seok-tae. As the investigation deepens, the truth becomes more complicated with the involvement of a violent organisation that the brothers were tied to, and the police stepping in.
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Ha Jung-woo plays the character Min-tae, a man driven by grief and rage over the loss of his brother as he launches into a relentless pursuit. Kim Nam-gil takes on the role of Ho-ryung, a novelist. Centred around the encounter between a brother grappling with the unexpected death of his younger sibling and a novelist who seemed to be the only one to have anticipated it, Nocturnal follows their search for the truth behind "that night". It's a film that's sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
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Dear Hongrang
Based on the novel Tangeum: Swallowing Gold, the original Netflix series Dear Hongrang is a historical mystery thriller with a touch of melodrama. The story follows Hongrang (Lee Jae-wook), the son of a wealthy Joseon merchant family, who went missing as a child, returns 12 years—with no memory of what happened prior to his disappearance. While everyone is happy to welcome him, only his half-sister Jae-i (Jo Bo-ah) harbours doubts about his true identity. Between them, a complicated and unspoken emotion begins to grow. Viewers will be left wondering if the man who returned is truly Hongrang, and what hidden secrets he may be keeping.
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In addition to Lee Jae-wook and Jo Bo-ah, the performances of Jeong Ga-ram, Eom Jiwon, Park Byung-eun, and Kim Jae-wook promise to make this drama deeply compelling. There's even more to look forward to, as the series is directed by Kim Hong-sun, known for his work on the Netflix hit Money Heist Korea: Joint Economic Area and OCN thriller Son: The Guest. How would Dear Hongrang unfold in the hands of the mystery thriller expert? The series premiered on the 16th, ready to captivate audiences.
Going and Coming Lee Min-jung
Going and Coming Lee Min-jung is a new variety show that follows celebrities as they run a mobile convenience store, delivering daily necessities to rural villages and spending the night there. From island villages to mountainous areas where delivery services are hard to come by, the cast brings both essential goods and warm company to the village elderly. Leading the show is Lee Min-jung, the Instagram comments expert and YouTuber, joined by Ahn Jae-hyeon, Kim Jeong-hyeon, and Kim Jae-won.
The meeting between people with different personalities and energies together with the village elderly will bring unadorned joy and healing. Lee Min-jung’s husband, Lee Byung-heon, also narrated the teaser video for the program. It is said that he brought laughter to everyone with lines such as “Going and Coming Lee Min-jung Lee Min-jung fighting,” “The convenience store is here”, “Eggs Eggs”, and “Detergent Detergent.” The first episode was broadcasted on KBS 2TV and Netflix on the 16th.
This article was first seen on ELLE Korea.