In a virtual press conference held by Netflix Korea, the content streaming titan released a lineup of all the Korean originals that will be hitting our screens in 2021.
Korean content has been integrated into the Netflix stream since 2016, with 200 Asian original series and films, 80 of which were in Korea. The investment in Korean originals has so far surpassed 700 million US dollars, and this year, Netflix plans to deepen its partnership with South Korea by producing a stellar lineup of amazing new offerings.
Words of Wisdom from the Bosses of the Brand
Vice President, Content, Minyoung Kim shared a few words on the history and future of Korean films and series in a short yet empowering session.
Netflix CEO and Chief Content Officer, Ted Sarandos, may have not been able to join the press conference in person due to the global health situation, but his presence was strongly felt via a video message.
"Korean content created by Korean storytellers was at the center of it all. We're investing in local creative communities and working with great creators and talent to discover stories that make us laugh, smile, and cry. Our commitment with Korea is strong. We will continue to invest and collaborate with Korean storytellers across a wealth of genres and formats. " -Ted Sarandos
2021: The Year of Korean Netflix Originals
The event was graced by the writers, directors, producers, and cast of the brand new Netflix Originals that we can anticipate in 2021. You ready for the rundown?
Squid Game
Starring: Lee Jung Jae, Park Hae Soo
Directed by: Hwang Dong Hyuk
Overview: What would you risk for 40 million dollars? The cast of Squid Game answers the question by participating in a mysterious survival game that will make your hair stand on end.
Hellbound
Starring: Lee Jung Jae, Park Hae Soo
Directed by: Hwang Dong Hyuk
Overview: Being condemned to hell sounds like a drag. Luckily the cast of Hellbound is prepared to fight in order to survive the chaos. the intense vibe of this supernatural offering will throw some thought-provoking notions your way. It's bound to be one hell of a ride. Holy water at the ready, people.
All of Us Are Dead
Starring: Yoon Chan Yeong, Park Ji Hu, Cho Yi Hyun, Lomon, and Yoo In Soo
Directed by: Lee JQ and Enes Kim
Overview: Imagine being trapped in a high school while a zombie virus takes over the place. On second thought, maybe don't do that. But what you should do is watch We Are All Dead, because it'll scare the heck out of you.
The Silent Sea
Starring: Bae Doo Na, Gong Yoo, and Lee Joon
Directed by: Choi Hang Yong
Overview: With Earth running low on resources due to desertification, a special research team ventures into outerspace in an effort to find a solution. Silent Sea takes us to the moon and back with an intergalactic adventure that will captivate and dazzle. (Also, Hello, Gong Yoo!)
Love Alarm Season 2
Release Date: March 12, 2021
Starring: Kim So Hyun, Jung Ga Ram, Song Kang, Ko Min Si, and Kim Si Eun
Directed by: Kim Jin Woo
Overview: If the Love Alarm app were to be invented in real life, we would have no problem finding our soulmates. The romantic saga continues on March 12, 2021!
D.P.
Starring: Jung Hae In, Koo Kyo Hwan, Kim Sung Kyun, and Son Seok Koo
Directed by: Han Jun Hee
Overview: Based on the popular webtoon of the same name, D.P. stands for "Deserter Pursuit and depicts military action and unfiltered truths at its finest.
My Name
Starring: Han So Hee, Park Hee Soon, Ahn Bo Hyun, Kim Sang Ho, Lee Hak Ju, and Jang Yull
Directed by: Kim Jin-min
Overview: My Name follows the story of a woman who joins the police force to avenge her father. Gradually, she unravels the truth in the maze of twists and turns in this stunning noir themed K-Drama. Expect action, adrenaline, and a lot of cool slow walks.
Move to Heaven
Release Schedule: First half of 2021
Starring: Lee Je Hoon and Tang Jun Sang
Directed by: Kim Sung Ho
Overview: This TV series puts the focal point on a young man with Asperger's syndrome and his guardian. Together they start working as "trauma cleaners" and there's no doubt about it that this K-Drama will be one big tearjerker.
Special Episode - Kingdom: Ashin of the North
Starring: Gianna Jun and Park Byung-eun
Directed by: Kim Seong-hun
Overview: Kingdom: Ashin of the North is a sidequel to the global K-zombie sensation Kingdom and tells the story of “Ashin,” the heiress to a northern Jurchen town, and the secret behind the resurrection plant. Created as a special episode, it is spun off from the story of Kingdom season 2 and depicts what happened in the past to the mysterious character Ashin, encountered by Lee Chang’s group on their northbound mission to uncover the truth behind the resurrection plant.
Film- Night In Paradise
Release Date: April 9, 2021
Starring: Um Tae Goo, Jeon Yeo Been, and Cha Seoung Won
Directed by: Park Hoon Jung
Overview: Night in Paradise is a film about a man targeted by a criminal gang and a woman cornered to a dead end in life. Night in Paradise was the only Korean film to be screened out of competition at the 77th Venice International Film Festival, where the film earned critical acclaim early on. Anticipation is high for the film as it promises to deliver an enthralling performance by the cast.
Stand-up Special - Lee Su Geun: The Sense Coach
Starring: Lee Su Geun
Overview: Lee Su Geun: The Sense Coach is a Netflix original stand-up special packed with gratifying ad-lib jokes that Lee Su Geun improvises as he coaches, with his acute sixth sense (or nunchi in Korean). Having been entertaining Korean audiences through myriads of variety shows including Men on a Mission, Ask Us Anything Fortune Teller, New Journey to the West, and The Fishermen and the City 2, Lee Su Geun is now reaching out to viewers around the world with his first stand-up special since his debut 25 years ago. Created with interactive live communication with the audience at its heart, this comedy show is anticipated to draw viewers in with Lee’s masterful command of live performance and his impromptu jokes that strike a chord with audiences everywhere.
Sitcom - So Not Worth It
Starring: Park Se Wan, Shin Hyeon Seung, Choi Young Jae (GOT7), Minnie ((G)I-DLE), and Han Hyun Min
Directed by: Kwon Ik Joon and Kim Jung Sik
Overview: So Not Worth It is a sitcom about students of diverse nationalities living in an international dormitory of a university in Seoul. The show portrays their love, friendship, and life adventures on and off campus. with a diverse cast and fresh take on multi-racial environments, So Not Worth It will be so worth watching.
Reality Series - Paik's Spirit
Starring: Paik Jong Won
Directed by: Park Hee Yeon, Lee Eun Kyung, Kwak Chung-a, and Lee Jong Hyuk
Overview: Paik’s Spirit is a Netflix original series where Paik Jong Won sits down for a drink with top Korean celebrities and professionals in various fields to have a conversation about drinking and life. Netflix partnered with Paik to create its first reality series, wherein the restaurateur introduces Korean alcoholic beverages, food, and culture. Anticipation runs high as viewers around the world will be able to enjoy Paik’s gift of the gab and charming presence that have won the hearts of Korean audiences. Featuring various alcoholic beverages ranging from soju—which in its characteristic green bottle stands at the center of Korean drinking culture—to beer, Korean traditional liquors, rice wine, and even craft beer, the series promises to bring stories of “the most uniquely Korean” drinks to intrigue the senses of viewers around the globe.
Viewers can also look forward to the release of Carter and Moral Sense, the very first self-produced Korean films on Netflix. The two productions are directed by Jung Byung Gil and Park Hyun Jin, respectively.
With so many shiny new titles to look forward to this year, 2021 is off to a phenomenal start. Only bright things and great Korean content ahead.
As Ted Sarandos put it, we watched the world fall in love with Korean content. And we totally agree with all our hearts. #WhatsNextNetflix
Source: Netflix "See What's Next Korea 2021" Press Conference
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