An impressive lineup from Korea is expected in the coming year with several offerings that could succeed the record-breaking “Squid Game.”
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"All of Us Are Dead"
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix Based on a webtoon “Now At Our School,” the JTBC Studios drama is about a group of high school students trapped in school due to a zombie virus outbreak. This coming-of-age teen drama with a gripping zombie theme could see an international break for younger stars, Yoon Chan-young (“Do You Like Brahms?,” “Doctor John”) and Cho Yi-hyun (“Hospital Playlist,” “School 2021”).
Premieres on JTBC, Netflix in January 2022
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"Bulgasal: Immortal Souls"
Image Credit: Screenshot Courtesy of Netflix The historical-fantasy drama comes from the writers who gave us “The Guest”. Korean traditional folklore about mythical immortal creatures and a mix of genres with a talented cast contribute to the series’ uniqueness, making it a highly anticipated drama.
Premieres on tvN, Netflix on Dec. 18
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"The Silent Sea"
Image Credit: Screenshot Courtesy of Netflix Heavily promoted as the next Netflix Original to watch out for after “Squid Game,” the sci-fi mystery thriller is executive produced by Jung Woo-sung and stars accomplished actors including Gong Yoo (“Goblin,” “Train to Busan”), Bae Doona (“Kingdom,” “Stranger”) and Lee Moo-saeng (“The World of the Married,” “Designated Survivor: 60 Days”).
Premieres on Netflix on Dec. 24
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"Money Heist"
The Korean remake of award-winning Spanish drama “La Casa de Papel” will follow the same storyline and characters with a fresh cultural spin. Director Kim Hong-sun, behind “The Guest,” and writer of zombie film “Peninsula” Ryu Yong-jae team up for this series starring Yoo Ji-tae (“Mad Dog,” “When My Love Blooms”), Park Hae-soo (“Squid Game,” “Prison Playbook”) and newbie to the small screen, Jeon Jong-seo (“Burning,” “The Call”).
Premieres on Netflix in 2022
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"Monstrous"
This supernatural thriller is produced by top production house Studio Dragon with Yeon Sang-ho who created “Hellbound” and Ryu Yong-jae, also the writer for “Money Heist.” Fans are anticipating this drama’s release as a follow-up to many well-loved actors from “D.P.”, “Hospital Playlist” and “Vincenzo.”
Premieres on TVing in 2022
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"Our Blues"
Lee Byung-hun (“Mr. Sunshine and “Iris”), Shin Min-a (“Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha,” “Chief of Staff”) and Cha Seung-won (“A Korean Odyssey,” “One Ordinary Day”) make a star-studded cast telling stories of individuals from different walks of life, set in the island of Jeju. Writer Noh Hee-kyung and director Kim Kyu-tae reunite for this collaboration after well-received dramas “That Winter, The Wind Blows” and “It’s Okay, That’s Love.”
Premieres on TBC in 2022
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"Suriname"
The crime thriller drama is about a National Intelligence Service-led mission to capture a Korean drug lord in Suriname. The star-studded lineup includes Ha Jung-woo (“The Closet,” “Lovers in Prague”), Hwang Jung-min (“Hush,” “Deliver Us From Evil”), Jo Woo-jin (“Mr. Sunshine,” “Chicago Typewriter”) and Yoo Yeon-seok (“Hospital Playlist,” “Mr. Sunshine”). This could be a treat for fans of the award-winning “Narcos.”
Premieres on Netflix in 2022
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"The Youngest Son of A Conglomerate"
Based on a web novel loosely based on the Samsung conglomerate family, the series stars Song Joong-ki (“Vincenzo,” “Arthal Chronicles”), whose works consistently garner acknowledgment from K-drama fans worldwide. The revenge theme in the drama might remind of Song’s brilliant performance in “The Innocent Man” and is certainly one to look out for in 2022.
Premieres on JTBC in 2022