Netflix films and series have reached new heights at various awards ceremonies with a great number of wins and nominations.

First of all, Jun Jong-seo won Best Actress at the 30th Buil Film Awards. The Call is a mystery thriller film about a phone call that connects two women living in different times, ultimately changing their fates. The solid narrative, extreme suspense, unique mise-en-scène, and strong female characters sets the film apart from others.
At the Buil Film Awards this year, Hellbound star Yoo Ah-in attended as a presenter and Night in Paradise was nominated in 6 categories while Space Sweepers won the Art/Technical Award. Space Sweepers is a sci-fi blockbuster depicting a crew of misfits who chase after space debris in the year 2092 and come across a humanoid robot that is a weapon of mass destruction. Space Sweepers was also nominated in 2 other categories for the Buil Film Awards and 3 categories for the Asian Film Awards.

On the other hand, the Asian Contents Awards (ACA), which highlights excellent series across Asia, announced the wins for Sweet Home and Move to Heaven on 7 October 2021.

Sweet Home, which tells the story of Hyun-su, a reclusive student who loses his family and experiences terror after moving to an apartment, won the Technical Achievement Award. Ko Min-si also won the Best Newcomer-Actress award for her portrayal of Eun-yu who is a resident of the apartment complex. Song Kang, who plays Hyun-su, won the Excellence Award. With an original story, a strong cast, and stunning creature visuals, the series reached a new milestone in Korean content history.
Move to Heaven won the Best Creative, Best Writer, and Best Actor awards. Move to Heaven shows Geu-ru and his uncle Sang-gu working as trauma cleaners who help the deceased with their final move and deliver the untold stories of the deceased to their loved ones. This series conveys deep sympathy and heartfelt healing with a warm view on life, death, and people.

Sweet Home received 3 nominations in categories and Move to Heaven received nominations in 3 categories. Furthermore, Navillera received nominations in 2 categories.

The Call, Sweet Home, Space Sweepers, Night in Paradise, and Move to Heaven made great achievements at these leading awards ceremonies. You can view them all now, only on Netflix.

Please find the full list of wins and nominations below:

2021 Buil Film Awards
Awards
● The Call : Best Actress - Jun Jong-seo
● Space Sweepers : Art/Technical Award - Jeong Seong-jin, Jeong Chol-min

Nominations
● The Call : Best New Director - Lee Chung-hyun
● Space Sweepers : Best Cinematography - Byun Bong-sun, Best Music - Kim Tae-seong
● Night in Paradise : Best Actor - Um Tae-goo, Best Actress - Jeon Yeo-been, Best Supporting Actor - Cha Seoung-won, Best Cinematography - Kim Young-ho, Best Music - Mowg

Asia Contents Awards 2021
Awards
● Move to Heaven : Best Creative, Best Actor - Lee Je-hoon, Best Writer - Yoon Ji-ryun
● Sweet Home : Technical Achievement Award, Best Newcomer-Actress - Ko Min-si, Excellence Award - Song Kang

Nominations
● Sweet Home : Best OTT Original, Creative Beyond Border, Best Actress - Lee Si-young
● Move to Heaven : Best OTT Original, Creative Beyond Border, Best Newcomer-Actor - Tang Jun-sang
● Navillera : Best Asian TV Series, Best Newcomer-Actor - Song Kang

15th Asian Film Awards
Nominations
● Space Sweepers : Best Costume Design - Cho Sang-kyung & Kwak Jung-ae, Best Visual Effects - Jeong Seong-jin & Jeong Chol-min, Best Sound - Choi Tae-young
● The Call : Best Actress - Jun Jong-seo

Image Courtesy of Netflix

In Southeast Asia, Korean shows are very loved and some research has found they are watched more than Hollywood productions. In the last three months, on average, four of the top 10 titles on Netflix in Southeast Asia have been Korean. Why is that? Some have pointed to the appeal of storylines which show Asian heroines striving to express themselves personally and professionally — a theme which perhaps resonates with women in more traditional Southeast Asian societies. 

Squid Game is already gathering much buzz and interest with its intriguing premise ahead of its premiere. The Netflix series features the story of hundreds of desperate, cash-strapped participants competing for an enormous cash prize through playing children’s games, only to realize that the consequences of losing is death. An extreme survival situation juxtaposed with childhood games makes for an uncanny story. While we eagerly anticipate the release of Squid Game, get to know the creator and cast in the meantime.

1) Hwang Dong-hyuk
Squid Game is already gathering much buzz and interest with its intriguing premise ahead of its premiere. The Netflix series features the story of hundreds of desperate, cash-strapped participants competing for an enormous cash prize through playing children’s games, only to realize that the consequences of losing is death. An extreme survival situation juxtaposed with childhood games makes for an uncanny story. While we eagerly anticipate the release of Squid Game, get to know the creator and cast in the meantime.

2) Lee Jung-jae
Lee Jung-jae is a well-known actor who has been acting since 1993. He has acted in a broad range of genres and roles, but you might recognize him from movies like The Thieves and Svaha: The Sixth Finger or the series Chief of Staff. In Squid Game, he portrays Seong Gi-hun who has gone through a lot of difficult experiences including divorce, business failure, debt, and gambling issues. Despite his desperate situation, Gi-hun doesn’t lose hope and tries his best to survive. He’s a personable character who is kind to others.

3) Park Hae-soo
Park Hae-soo will be a familiar face if you’ve watched Prison Playbook, Time to Hunt, or Persona. Like a true chameleon, the actor takes on diverse characters that reflect his wide range. For Squid Game, he takes on Cho Sang-woo who grew up in the same neighbourhood as Gi-hun. Known for his intelligence, he went on to graduate from Seoul National University. Unfortunately, one wrong decision completely upends his life. Sang-woo is unexpectedly reunited with Gi-hun as they meet while they play the games and try to survive.

4) Wi Ha-jun
Wi Ha-jun debuted in 2015 through the film Coin Locker Girl. Since then he’s appeared in many works such as Something in the Rain, Romance Is a Bonus Book, and 18 Again. The actor will be taking on a different type of role in Squid Game. His character, Hwang Jun-ho, is a police officer who is searching for his missing brother. While investigating some clues related to his brother’s disappearance, Jun-ho ends up discovering the games. Hiding his identity, he uncovers various mysteries surrounding the games.

5) Jung Ho-yeon
Squid Game will mark Jung Ho-yeon’s acting debut. As a fashion model, she gained recognition through appearing on Korea’s Next Top Model 4 and was a joint runner-up. Her experience on many runways and campaigns is evident in the tough charisma that is portrayed through her character Kang Sae-byeok. As a North Korean defector, Sae-byeok is no stranger to adversity. We’ll be able to see how her survival skills will help her as she fights to stay alive and win.

Watch the trailer below:

Netflix upcoming Korean drama 'Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha' featuring Shin Min-A, Kim Seon Ho and Lee Sang-yi is set to delight us with a heart-fluttering romance. 'Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha' talks about the story of Seoul-city girl Yoon Hye-jin (starring Shin Min-A) who arrives at the seaside village of Gongjin. There she meets Du-sik, an oddjob expert that the whole village counts on. 

Early this afternoon, the director Yu Je-won and the main cast of 'Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha' sat down with the press and talked about their characters and chemistry working with the co-stars. Check out the Q&A during the online press conference:

Q: What about the story were you drawn to?

Lee Sang-yi: I was also very drawn to the fun, intriguing story. I know a lot of people are going to live in Jeju Island and that is the trend right now. That’s exactly how I felt when I read the script. I felt like I was transported to this village. Of course, being able to act alongside Kim Seon-ho and Shin Min-a was also amazing.

Kim Seon-ho: This is a truly heartwarming story and I felt it was really human. I play the role of someone who is unemployed but capable of everything. I wondered what I could bring to the character, and I felt like it was really fun. When I read the script I felt like it was heartwarming and I was drawn to it, I really wanted to be a part of it.

Q: Your character has many licenses. Which one would you be interested in having yourself?

Kim Seon-ho: I was really interested in his realtor license. A lot of people are interested in real estate these days. Du-sik is literally capable of everything and he has a realtor license. One of his licenses certifies him as a professional fruit plater, so he lays out fruit on a plate.

Q: Director, this is the second time you’re working with Shin Min-a. How was it working with her for the second time?

Yu Je-won:  She’s always very lovely and very talented. You could say she was born to be lovely. I think she was able to maintain that charm. I also think that her acting has become more mature and she has deepened as a person and as an actor. At the same time, acting depends on who you act with. I think all of them complement each other and make each other comfortable.

Q: Chemistry between Shin Min-a and Kim Seon-ho on set.

Shin Min-a: It was really good. I know there were high expectations even before we started filming, but I didn’t feel a lot of pressure. I really enjoyed acting on set with Kim Seon-ho. He’s a really good person and a comfortable person to be around. I think our good chemistry and flexibility is portrayed through our acting.

Kim Seon-ho: I totally agree with Shin Min-a. I was talking about this with Lee Sang-yi as well. Shin Min-a has good character and she’s really nice. She accepts playful words and actions we say or do. She’s a comfortable person to be around.

Q: What efforts did you make to play your character?

Kim Seon-ho: Because Chief Hong does so many different things, I had to set apart some time to learn all of his abilities. I had to learn how to surf and how to make coffee as a barista. I had to maintain a certain balance since he’s unemployed but he has a lot of handy talents.

Shin Min-a: I think Seon-ho had to prepare the most. For me, since I play the role of a dentist, I visited my dentist. I had my teeth looked at and tried to observe my dentist’s facial expressions. I also tried to spend some time understanding the dentist’s feelings.

Lee Sang-yi: I watched a lot of TV since I play the role of a star producer. I watched a lot of producer Na Young-seok’s programs because that’s the kind of role I’m portraying, as well as producer Kim Tae-ho who is the producer of Hang Out with Yoo. I tried to observe them and I noticed that they are not that talkative on set, they are usually quietly observing in the back. Aside from that, I tried to become close to my co-stars since chemistry is translated to the screen.

Q: What was it like working with Lee Sang-yi?

Shin Min-a: We prepare a lot beforehand and when your partners are able to accommodate what you have prepared, I think there is a sense that everything is going to work out and turn out successful. They are very serious in their acting, but at the same time they are very funny and playful. It’s really great working with them.

Kim Seon-ho: I say this to Sang-yi, but I am often amazed by him on set. I think he is really gifted in acting and I always learn a lot from him actually. He’s really talented and I think the director feels the same way. He’s an actor with great potential and is recognized by everyone on set. He has a lot of ideas and we have a lot of fun filming the drama on set.

(Left to Right) Director Kim Seong-hun | Kim Roi-ha | Kim Si-a | Gianna Jun | Park Byung-eun | Kim Eun-hee | Koo Kyo-hwan

Korea zombie series, Kingdom returns with a 92-minute special episode - 'Kingdom: Ashin of the North' featuring Jun Ji-hyun, Park Byung-eon, Kim Si-a, Kim Roi-ha and Koo Kyo-hwan. The series talks about the story of Ashin and the origins of the resurrection plant that gave rise to the spread of the infected throughout Joseon.

Kingdom Season 1 began with the uncontrollable spread of the infected, who were neither alive nor dead, in the southern end of Dongnae (present-day known as Busan). In Season 2, the story moved up north to the royal palace in the capital city of Hanyang. 'Kingdom: Ashin of the North' continues their journey to northern regions to unveil the mysterious behind Ashin (starring Jun Ji-hyun).

Actor Kim Roi-ha, Kim Si-a, Jun Ji-hyun, Park Byung-eun & Koo Kyo-hwan at Kingdom: North Of Ashin Press Conference this morning

Earlier this afternoon, director Kim Seong-hun, writer Kim Eun-hee and the main cast Jun Ji-hyun and Park Byung-eun sat down with the APAC press and talked about their characters and their reunion in this special episode.

Q: What led to the creation of this special episode?

Writer Kim Eun-hee: The setting of Kingdom: Ashin of the North takes place before the events of Kingdom Season 1. This story is about the beginnings, and I wanted to set things right from the starting point. In my discussions with Netflix, the idea of a special episode dealing with such content was suggested, and I agreed to it wholeheartedly.

Q: What's the strong point about your character, Royal Commandery Min in this special episode?

Park Byung-eun: Unlike season 2 which has many action scenes such as using archery, killing the zombies. However, this special episode will not focus much on action but more on relationship between Royal Commandery Min and Ashin. I think this is the strong point that you can look forward to.

Q: Previously both of you starred in 'Assassination' so how do you feel being able to work together again? 

Jun Ji-hyun: Obviously I'm really happy to see him again and one thing for sure, he's getting better in fishing. Back then, when we were shooting for 'Assassination', he said he's really good in fishing and has been posting alot but I have never tried the fish that he caught. And so, this time we asked for it (almost like bagging ><) and he fed us with lots of food when we were in Jeju Island. 

Park Byung-eun: That was my first time meeting Jun Ji-hyun at 'Assassination'. We were not that close and it was kinda awkward between us. But when I heard of we'll be working together for this special episode, I really look forward to the chemistry that we could create for this. I think she's an amazing actor and is such an honour for me to work with her. 

When Park Byung-eun trying to explain about his fishing skills, Jun Ji-hyun then started to ask Park Byung-eun to send more fish or squid that he caught. "I should be focusing on my acting but these people out here have driven me to go out for fishing. And I remember they really enjoyed the meal when we were shooting at Jeju Island," said Park Byung-eun. 

Q: Were you scared of the zombies on set?

Jun Ji-hyun: No, not at all. Actually before the shooting, I am excited to meet the actors face-to-face. Upon meeting them, I am surprised that how much efforts they put in for the preparations of the zombie look. I even asked for a picture and brag to my friends.

Park Byung-eun: There was one thing that I went through when working for season 2. We were working late night for the shooting in the forest and the actors were on zombie makeup and even had fake blood all over their bodies. And I spot them having meals under the tree with their zombie make-up at the late night, so you can imagine how stunned I was when saw the scene. This time, I already had experience. I saw those actors wearing full zombies makeup and talking over the phones. It was so realistic, just like daily conversation. Seeing all of that really makes me think about how on the verge of life and death is. This is kinda unfamiliar and new experience to me. 

Q. What conversations have you shared with Jun Ji-hyun about Ashin?

Director Kim Seong-hun: I considered Ashin to be a character harboring unspeakable pain and suffering deep inside. Before filming began, Jun Ji-hyun and I talked a great deal in sharing our thoughts about the role. On set, she performed and portrayed emotions so efficiently and expertly that I could just stand by and watch.

'Kingdom: Ashin of the North' is a story about the beginning of Kingdom and story about Ashin who accidentally and fatefully comes across the resurrection plant has viewers awaiting in great anticipation. Don't forget to watch the special episode on Netflix on 23 July. 

photo credit to Netflix

Venture into the vast forests, a forbidden land where a strange plant grows. Netflix unwraps the trailer for Kingdom: Ashin of the North, taking us back to the beginning of the great tragedy that fell upon Joseon and a story of Ashin, and the origins of the resurrection plant.

The tragedy began in the depths of the northern region of Pyesa-gun, an area that has been forbidden for 100 years where dead bodies were suddenly discovered.

We meet young Ashin who loses everything in a blink of an eye when her village is horrendously attacked. Driven by loss and with vengeance on her mind, Ashin makes it her mission to “kill every living thing”. The anticipation builds as we unravel the calamities that besiege Joseon.

Starring Gianna Jun, Kim Sia, and Park Byung-eun, Kingdom: Ashin of the North will be released on 23 July 2021, only on Netflix.

Check out the official trailer below

The second season of Hospital Playlist S2 is everything we hoped for and more, and we’re so happy to see everyone again. In addition to the relatable and heartwarming stories, the soundtrack boosts the feels and perfectly complements each episode. Since the soundtrack often consists of covers of popular Korean songs from the ‘90s and ‘00s, it adds a sense of nostalgia and familiarity.

Just like the first season, the songs from the new season are climbing up music charts and hitting all the right notes. Let’s take a closer look at the songs’ lyrics and see how they tie into the episodes.

Olympic fever hits the city of Seoul in 1988 and a group of hipsters blaze through with an incredible full-speed heist!

Netflix, the world’s leading streaming entertainment service, has confirmed the production of Seoul Vibe, an action blockbuster packed with thrills and adrenaline-fueled scenes. Also confirmed is the casting of the following big-name stars: Yoo Ah-in, Ko Kyoung-pyo, Lee Kyoo-hyung, Park Ju-hyun, Ong Seong-wu, Kim Sung-kyun, Jung Woong-in, and Moon So-ri. 

Netflix has announced that Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, a rom-com telling the story of a pragmatic dentist and an unemployed man, will premiere sometime soon.
Shin Min-a stars as Yoon Hye-jin who opens up a dental clinic in the seaside village of Gongjin. She’s got beauty and brains, but also a clumsy side to her. While being strict and a perfectionist, she’s got a warm heart deep inside.

Kim Seon-ho stars as Hong Du-sik who is technically unemployed but takes on odd jobs and helps everyone in the village. From delivering food to working at a convenience store, he’s a master of all trades. Smart and caring, he’s the hero of the village you can count on whenever you need assistance.

The pair meet in the beautiful seaside village and they feel attracted to each other despite being complete opposites. An exciting rom-com is in store as we see their stories unfold.

Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha will premiere only on Netflix.

Image courtesy of Netflix

Nothing beats a show that will keep you on your toes with its surprising plot twists. Far from predictable, this list of series that feature many unanticipated turns of events will be deeply satisfying and just might make your jaw drop.

1. Beyond Evil
Having snagged three awards from the 57th Baeksang Arts Awards including Best Drama, Best Screenplay, and Best Actor, Beyond Evil is definitely worth watching. What might seem like a simple cold case murder mystery is actually a story full of intricately woven plot points and intriguing red herrings. Policemen Lee Dong-sik (Shin Ha-kyun) and Han Joo-won (Yeo Jin-goo) chase after the truth while harbouring their own secrets and becoming suspicious of one another. You’ll find yourself questioning everyone’s innocence while watching the characters search for the culprit.

2. Awaken
Awaken centres on police officers who investigate a series of murders that are mysteriously linked to a tragic event that happened 28 years ago. Do Jeong-u (Namkoong Min) leads a special police task force in charge of investigating deaths that are more than what they appear to be. His team is later joined by former FBI profiler Jamie Leighton (Lee Chung-ah) and they work to crack the code created by the mastermind of the murders. An unconventional detective and lots of creepy twists are some of the highlights of the series.

3. Stranger
Stranger has two seasons packed with mind-bending mystery. Prosecutor Hwang Si-mok (Cho Seung-woo) and police leftenant Han Yeo-jin (Bae Doona) work together to unravel complex mysteries. While they pursue justice, they discover hidden and dangerous truths. There are big thrills and many twists without feeling overdramatic. Like entering a forest full of secrets, you’ll enjoy the cerebral journey as revelations are unveiled. It’s a gripping series for those who like to play detective and keep getting surprised.

4. The Lies Within
The Lies Within is a suspenseful thriller following Kim Seo-hui (Lee Yoo-young) whose whole world turns upside down when her father passes away in an accident and her husband goes missing around the same time. She teams up with detective Jo Tae-sik (Lee Min-ki) to figure out the truth behind these puzzling events. Gruesome and curious occurrences take place, leading Kim Seo-hui to join the National Assembly in a desperate attempt to save her husband’s life.

5. Signal
Signal features profiler Park Hae-young (Lee Je-hoon) from 2015 communicating with detective Lee Jae-han from 1989 through a walkie-talkie that transcends time. They start exchanging information and work together to solve and prevent crimes. Many twists take place as reality begins to change as a result of their teamwork.

6. Extracurricular
What sets Extracurricular apart from the other shows on this list is the fact that none of the main characters are detectives. This series is about model student Oh Jisoo (Kim Dong-hee) who lives a double life filled with serious crime. His carefully managed secret is at risk of being exposed when his classmate Bae Gyuri (Park Ju-hyun) takes an interest in him. Everything quickly spirals out of control, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats with multiple cliffhangers. Check it out for a rollercoaster ride as you try to anticipate what happens next.

Which shows are you most interested in? Watch them all on Netflix!

Image Courtesy of Netflix