Netflix has announced that they are banking on new Korean content for its streaming platform this 2021, which includes new films, series, and stand-up comedy specials.
As revealed by Netflix’s VP of content Minyoung Kim during the “See What’s Next: Korea” event, Netflix is going big by spending nearly 500 million USD on Korean films and series. This is coming from 3.8 million paid memberships they received in Korea.
Highlights
Netflix’s Vice President of Content, Minyoung Kim, opened the event with a keynote about Netflix’s journey to date in Korea. Followed by a Fireside chat between writer Kim Eun-hee (Kingdom, Kingdom: Ashin of the North) and Yoon Shin-ae (Extracurricular, Glitch) around telling stories made in Korea and watched by the world on Netflix.
We also get to hear from the Netflix executives, Don Kang and Vince Bae, about the growing slate of Korean films from Time to Hunt and #Alive to Space Sweepers and Night in Paradise found on Netflix. Jung Byung-gil, director of the upcoming film Carter, and Park Hyun-jin the director of the upcoming film Moral Sense also joined to share their excitement about the new Netflix Films.
A panel conversation also ensued along with Netflix Original Series creators about the next wave of K-dramas, consisting of Writer Kim Eun-hee & Director Kim Seong-hun (Kingdom: Ashin of the North), Director Yeon Sang-ho and stars Yoo Ah-in, Park Jung-min, Kim Hyun-joo, Won Jin-ah and Yang Ik-june (Hellbound), Director Hwang Dong-hyuk and stars Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo (Squid Game), and Executive producer Jung Woo-sung, Writer Park Eun-kyo, and stars Bae Doo-na, Lee Joon (The Silent Sea).
New Projects to See
D.P. is based on the webtoon by Kim Bo-tong and follows the story of army private Joon-ho who suddenly ends up becoming a member of the “Deserter Pursuit” unit that tracks down military deserters and encounters the realities of confused young soldiers. The series is directed by Han Jun-hee and stars Jung Hae-in, Koo Kyo-hwan, Kim Sung-kyun, and Son Seok-koo.
Hellbound is a series about a smart, self-assured lawyer who goes up against the New Truth Church and its extremist Arrowhead devotees. Directed by Yeon Sang-ho (Train to Busan, Peninsula) and written by Yeon and Choi Gyu-seok, author of the popular webtoon Songgot.
The Silent Sea follows members of a special team sent to an abandoned research facility on the moon. Set in a future earth that has undergone desertification, the series stars Bae Doona, Gong Yoo, and Lee Joon.
So Not Worth It follows the youthful adventures of students with multicultural backgrounds in a college dorm. Created by Kwon Ik-joon and stars Park Se-wan, Shin Hyeon-seung, Choi Young-jae of K-pop group GOT7, Minnie of the K-pop girl group (G)I-DLE, and Han Hyun-min.
Kingdom: Ashin of the North is a special standalone episode from the Kingdom universe shares the backstory of the mysterious character Lee Chang’s group encountered on their journey north to discover the origins of the infected.
You also have to watch out for Moral Sense, Carter, Move to Heaven, Squid Game, All of Us are Dead and My Name among others.
About Netflix:
Netflix is the world’s leading streaming entertainment service with over 204 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on any internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.