Forty Dramas, Films, Variety Shows, and Documentaries
"It Will Be the Biggest Year in Netflix History"
Collaborations with Kim Eunsook, Na Youngseok, Yeon Sangho, Kim Wonseok, and More
Netflix, which took a lively first step this year with 'Squid Game' Season 2 and 'Severe Trauma Center,' is set to continue its momentum with a volume offensive. At the center of this is Korean content. Bella Bajaria, Chief Content Officer (CCO), stated at the 'Next on Netflix 2025 Korea' event held on the 4th at the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul, "Korean content demonstrates influence that transcends language and culture worldwide through diverse, attractive, and immersive storytelling," adding, "Amazing content is also prepared for this year. 2025 will be the biggest year in Netflix history."
As evidence, she pointed to the expanded touchpoints with viewers through quantitatively and qualitatively enriched content. Kang Dong-han, Vice President (VP) of Korean Content, explained, "We have prepared not only original content and domestic broadcaster content but also daily variety shows that can be watched in short moments during busy days," adding, "Through strategic partnerships with various partners, we plan to diversify subscription plans and also diversify the ways viewers consume content through collaborative products, experience zones, and events." The driving force includes nearly forty original dramas, movies, variety shows, and documentaries. Kang said, "Having worked at Netflix for almost seven years, this is undoubtedly the best lineup."
Netflix's most popular series, 'Squid Game,' will conclude with Season 3 on June 27. It unfolds the process of Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), who tasted failure in the game he re-entered, standing at a new crossroads of choices amid ongoing games. 'Poksak Soksassuda,' which has garnered anticipation even before production with the chemistry of IU and Park Bo-gum, will be released sequentially from the 7th of next month. The drama depicts the lives of Aesun and Gwansik, who live in Jeju Island, navigating their respective lives. Writer Lim Sang-chun of the drama 'When the Camellia Blooms' and PD Kim Won-seok of 'Signal' and 'My Mister' joined forces. Director Kim introduced it as "a story about a woman repeatedly frustrated by poverty and island life embarking on a life adventure with a steadfast man."
'The Glory,' 'Goblin,' and 'Mr. Sunshine' writer Kim Eun-sook's new work 'Da Iru-eojil Jini' will arrive in the second half of the year. It deals with incidents involving a spirit genie with overly rich emotions and the woman who released him from the lamp, revolving around three wishes. Kim Woo-bin, Suzy, Ahn Eun-jin, Noh Sang-hyun, and Go Kyu-pil star in the series.
Many works based on famous webtoons and novels are also being prepared. The movie 'Apocalypse,' based on a comic drawn by director Yeon Sang-ho himself, will be released in the first half of the year. It tells the story of a pastor who believes that punishing the culprit of a missing person case is a divine revelation and a detective in charge of the missing person case haunted by the ghost of his deceased younger brother, each following their own beliefs. Ryu Jun-yeol and Shin Hyun-bin starred.
'Bad Connection,' based on the popular webtoon of the same name, the noir action film 'Square,' and 'Weak Hero' Class 2 will all be released in the first half of the year. 'Bad Connection,' starring Park Hae-soo and Shin Min-a, is a crime thriller highlighting six characters entangled in unfortunate relationships. Director Lee Il-hyung introduced it as "a work showing how various characters are connected within their diverse stories." 'Square' is a noir action film about Gi-jun, who cut off his Achilles tendon and left the organization, returning after 11 years due to his younger brother's death to carry out revenge. So Ji-sub, Heo Jun-ho, Ahn Gil-kang, and Choo Young-woo star. 'Weak Hero' Class 2 is a school action drama where Yeon Si-eun, who transferred schools after standing up to violence for a friend, gets caught up in even greater violence, starring Park Ji-hoon, Ryeo Un, and Choi Min-young.
Netflix is also preparing works in various genres such as comedy, romance, thriller, superhero, animation, and disaster blockbusters. In particular, the drama 'Does This Love Translate?' to be released in the fourth quarter is highly anticipated with the meeting of Kim Seon-ho and Go Yoon-jung. It tells the story of multi-language interpreter Joo Hojin, who interprets for a global top star, with the Hong sisters, who wrote 'Hotel Del Luna' and 'Alchemy of Souls,' as screenwriters. Director Yoo Young-eun said, "Since filming took place in Japan, Italy, and Canada, we will show a rich visual experience."
Lee Ha-nee's comedy drama 'Aema' is also among the anticipated works. It depicts female actors in the 1980s Chungmuro standing up against societal prejudice and discrimination. Among period pieces, director Byun Sung-hyun's 'Good News' stands out the most. It is a film about a suspicious operation by people gathered to land a hijacked plane by any means necessary. Starring Sol Kyung-gu, Hong Kyung, and Ryu Seung-beom. 'Trigger' is attracting attention as a rare action disaster thriller. It tells the story of two men who take up guns for their own reasons in South Korea, where a shooting incident occurs, starring Kim Nam-gil and Kim Young-kwang.
Additionally, the superhero film 'Cashier' starring Lee Junho, the animated film 'Needed on This Star' featuring voice acting by Kim Tae-ri and Hong Kyung, the thriller film '84 Square Meters' set in an apartment starring Kang Ha-neul, Yeom Hye-ran, and Seo Hyun-woo, and the action film 'Praying Mantis' starring Im Si-wan, a spin-off of the movie 'Gil Bok-soon,' will all be released within the year. Senior Director Bae Jong-byeong self-praised, "We have prepared a feast of works with different charms so that viewers can choose and enjoy according to their tastes in terms of both genre and story."
In variety shows and documentaries, works that were greatly loved by the public are returning with new seasons. 'Black & White Chef,' which even sparked a fine dining craze, returns with new chefs in Season 2, and 'Physical: 100,' which tested the strongest physical strength through difficult games, returns as 'Physical: Asia,' expanding its scope to the Asian region. The socially impactful documentary 'I Am a God' also promises another expos? with its second story, 'I Am a Survivor.'
'Devil's Plan 2,' featuring Go Se-dol, a Go player, produced by PD Jung Jong-yeon, and the mystery variety show 'Crime Scene' Season 5 starring Jang Dong-min will also meet viewers this year. The variety show 'Great Chaos Kianjang,' where Kian84, Jin, and Ji Ye-eun run a guesthouse on Ulleungdo Island, and the dating reality show 'Born Single but Want to Date,' featuring romantically awkward 'motae solo' (never-dated singles), are also on the lineup. Director Yoo Ki-hwan of the non-fiction division said, "We have prepared evenly tailored content for viewers," and previewed, "A new variety show, the first collaboration with PD Na Young-seok, is scheduled to be released in the fourth quarter."
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