Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area features an unprecedented heist in the chaotic dystopian peninsula of North and South Korea as they go on the verge of peaceful yet sudden unification. Below, we introduce the crew and cast who will not only execute, but fuel the ultimate heist to come!
Yoo Ji-tae, from the international award-winning film Old Boy, is the Professor – the mastermind behind the heist. The Professor plays a vital role in this series from the beginning, since he is responsible for organizing details and recruiting the thieves from North and South Korea. Yoo Ji-tae said, “To me, the Professor is a genius strategist who plans the heist through his principles and visions.” Behold how the Professor will meticulously guide his crew to execute this greatest heist.
Park Hae-soo, from the global sensation Squid Game, will shift gears to portray Berlin, a cold yet brutal member in Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area. A North Korean who spent 25 years in a concentration camp, Berlin plays a field leader among the thieves during the heist. The rebellious Berlin, who believes total control over people can only be derived from fear and division, will heighten the tension of the plot.
Jun Jong-seo plays Tokyo. She is a North Korean who immigrated to South Korea with a “Korean Dream” when the borders opened. Unlike how she imagined, her life in the South is not so dreamy, but sheer brutal. Just as she finds no hope in life, the Professor persuades her to join his master plan. Accepting his offer, Tokyo is one of the characters who truly has faith in the Professor. Jun Jong-seo commented on Tokyo as “a character whose every decision changes the entire flow of the game.”
Many more actors will add color to the biggest heist!
(Lee Won-jong as Moscow on the left and Kim Ji-hun as Denver on the right)
Lee Won-jong plays Moscow, and Kim Ji-hun plays his troublesome son Denver. Moscow only dreams of living a normal life with his son. As a South Korean miner, Moscow will be responsible for digging the heist’s grand exit. Denver, a former backstreet gang, will show his own emotional, sexy, yet friendly characteristics. Actor Kim Ji-hun, who was recently appointed to star as the main character in Netflix film Ballerina, will play this multifaceted and lively character.
(Jang Yoon-ju as Nairobi on the left and Lee Hyun-woo as Rio on the right)
Jang Yoon-ju plays Nairobi – a South Korean swindler who is an expert at making counterfeits. As previously seen in her past performances, including the film Veteran, Jang Yoon-ju will add energy to the screen. Lee Hyun-woo brings Rio to life – a former medical school dropout who is now the genius hacker of the crew. It would be interesting to see how Lee Hyun-woo, who has shown a broad appeal from various genres in films and K-dramas, will tackle this role.
(Kim Ji-hoon as Helsinki and Lee Kyu-ho as Oslo)
Kim Ji-hoon portrays Helsinki (aka Ko Myungtae), and Lee Kyu-ho plays Oslo. As ethnic Koreans and former members of a Chinese gang, the duo will be in charge of the team’s arsenal.
Fully stored with colorful characters, Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area will premiere worldwide on June 24th only on Netflix!
Get ready for the “True Beauty” star’s first fun meet event in the Philippines! Mark your calendars as Korean K-Drama star, Hwang In Youp is visiting Manila on June 19, 2022 at the New Frontier Theater to meet his Filipino fans.
Known for his striking looks and edgy personality, Hwang In Youp initially pursued modeling before making his acting debut with the lead role in the web drama, “W.H.Y.” After which, he has appeared in a number of television dramas including “Freshman” (2019), “The Tale of Nokdu” (2019), and “18 Again” (2020). He gained further recognition in “True Beauty” (2020), which is based on the Line Webtoon of the same title.
The hallyu star continues to rise with his latest series, “The Sound of Magic” (2022), which is unsurprisingly gaining popularity on Netflix and a pivotal role in “Why Her?” (2022) that is set to premiere this coming June.
Last September 2021, BYS Philippines signed on Hwang In Youp as its endorser and headlined the #UncoverTrueBeauty campaign that coincided with the launch of the Skin by BYS Minis. And now, we will finally get the chance to meet our favorite oppa in the flesh!
Join the fun at Hwang In Youp’s BYS Fun Meet in Manila by simply purchasing BYS products via TicketNet.com.ph. Check out the packages created for Hwang In Youp’s fans and BYS lovers.
BYS GOLD (PHP 5,250)
1 VIP Seat to Hwang In Youp’s BYS Fun Meet
1pc Skin by BYS Minis Travel Kit
1pc Skin by BYS Cushion Foundation
10pcs Skin by BYS Mango Biocellulose Mask
BYS SILVER (PHP 3,675)
1 Loge Seat to Hwang In Youp’s BYS Fun Meet
1pc Skin by BYS Minis Travel Kit
10pcs Skin by BYS Mango Biocellulose Mask
BYS BRONZE (PHP 2,100)
1 Balcony Seat to Hwang In Youp’s BYS Fun Meet
1pc Skin by BYS Minis Travel Kit
1pc Skin by BYS Mango Biocellulose Mask
Note: Products to be claimed at the venue on June 19, 2022.
Streaming services have really redefined entertainment for everyone, and with more viewers exploring more shows across different platforms, the demand and competition between these streaming sites have resulted in a vast pool of content one can watch from their own TVs and gadgets.
If you’re always on the lookout for the latest releases on Netflix, HBO GO, and other streaming services here in the Philippines, we’ve got you covered! On this list, we round up new movies and series that are heading to your favorite streamers from May 23 to 29, 2022!
This new K-drama follows a couple in their 30s who are set to marry each other, but the preparations leading to the wedding will force them to face the harsh realities of marriage.
Netflix’s hit horror sci-fi series is back! After the events in season 3, the gang has been separated, while another terror surfaces from the Upside Down.
After the mysterious blind monsters ravaged their home, the surviving members of the Abbott family must venture to the outside world where more threats await them.
This new epic series from Jon Favreau and the producers of Planet Earth takes us back to 66 million years ago when majestic dinosaurs and other creatures roamed the world.
This K-drama follows the beautiful and intelligent Lee Ra-el, whose family crumbles after cruel forces caused her father’s death. After 13 years of planning, she plans to take revenge on the people responsible by being at the center of a legal battle worth a staggering USD 1.6 billion.
Netflix has revealed the official teaser trailer for Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area!
Korea is on the brink of unification, and North and South Korea establish the Unified Korea Mint and are printing one common currency as the groundwork to build a stable joint economy. Despite people’s expectations, “only the rich got richer,” leading to severe inequality. Against this unfair world, a crew of thieves, including Tokyo, an ex-soldier from the North, unite under the leadership of a mastermind known as the Professor to plan an unprecedented heist – stealing money yet to exist! The only things standing between them are a joint task force led by South Korean Negotiation specialist, Seon Woojin, and a North Korean agent, Cha Moohyu, epic mind games, and time.
“The themes of a common currency and a mint built in the Joint Security Area (which divides North and South Korea today) are the premise of the series, which adds the Korean flavor and excitement to the original story,” said the writer Ryu Yong-jae.
The teaser also highlights the characters – Professor performed by Yoo ji-tae, Tokyo performed by Jung Jong-seo, and Berlin performed by Park Hae-soo of Squid Game – for the first time in action, allin iconic red jumpsuits with traditional Hahoe masks, stirring up further excitement.
<Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area> Part 1 will premiere worldwide on June 24, only on Netflix.
Netflix has another K-drama set for release this May 6, and this time, the series will be a musical fantasy! Titled The Sound of Magic, this new drama follows a struggling teen whose life is changed when she meets the mysterious magician living inside an abandoned theme park.
Director Kim Sungyoun launched the project intending to preserve the original webtoon’s message. He was moved by how the original story depicted the characters wavering between dreams and reality and how “magic” alleviated their hardships. Kim first proposed this live series adaptation to the original webtoon writer Ha Ilkwon, and after a decade, they’re now ready to present it to global audiences!
Kim says working on the hit series Itaewon Class gave him a better understanding of the rift between a webtoon and live series. He involved writers Kim Minjeong and Ha Ilkwon from the early planning stages to share ideas and set the right direction and tone. He said, “I thought integrating music into the magic theme could effectively convey the story’s message.” By weaving in music, choreography, and CG to the original narrative, he created attractive visuals and a compelling narrative that can eventually drive emotional impact.
Writer Kim Minjeong focused on bridging the gaps between the webtoon and the live series, paying close attention to details to suit the overall production. She commented,“The necessary process of revising detailed elements was not easy. It simultaneously required matching the song lyrics to the plotline context, convincingly depicting the character’s emotions, and aligning the right kind of magic for the character Ri-eul.”
#The Message in Sound of Magic: From the eyes of the Creators
Both director Kim Sungyoun and writer Kim Minjeong agreed that they needed to preserve the message of the original webtoon. And through the story, they focused on delving into the question of what it means to dream and become a true adult. Writer Kim MinJeong hopes viewers can see the different types of adults from Ah-yi and Il-deung’s perspectives and reflect upon what it means to be a “good” grown-up.
The original webtoon writer Ha Ilkwon praised the newly reborn fantasy music series saying, “I was excited and truly happy watching the adaptation of my original story.” He added, “The Sound of Magic is a story about dreams and the reality of the young people and adults. Languages and cultures may differ, but I believe these key themes can resonate with everyone”.
Director Kim Sungyoun echoed the sentiment, “The series conveys a message about what it means to become a proper grown-up. I hope this message can become a gift for young and old alike during this delightful season of May!”
For more details, check out the show’s official page on Netflix.
A new K-drama is heading to Netflix, bringing us grounded and comforting stories about people who are in different stages and must face different aspects of their lives. Set on the warm, lively Jeju Island, the omnibus drama Our Bluespromises a series of beautiful tales revolving around the island’s inhabitants.
Before the premiere of its pilot episode this April 9, we got to attend Netflix’s virtual press conference for Our Blues, where the creators and cast of the TV show shared some interesting details on how they formed the series and the characters that live in it. Check out the highlights of the presscon below:
Different stories tied together by Jeju Island
A refreshing format for a K-drama, Our Blues tells the stories of fourteen characters whose lives are somehow connected through the Seopseop 5-day Market of the Pureung village– some are friends, neighbors, and relatives. Each episode is told through the eyes of one or two characters, and with every episode, the viewers are given a glimpse of the lives of the other characters who have their own stories to tell in yet another episode.
Photo courtesy of Netflix
“An omnibus style is something that I wanted to try on a drama series for over ten years,” shared writer Noh Hee-kyung. “I kind of, got sick and tired of just seeing a male lead and a female lead. You know, we are all the main characters in each of our lives, but why is it that everything just revolves around two people in a drama? And that question has led me to choose an omnibus style.”
As for why the writer of the series chose Jeju Island as the setting for this drama, she answered: “I believe Jeju is a place where the very Korean and local sentiments remain intact. In Jeju, the whole neighborhood could be blood-related, and if not, they’re still very close to one another. And their close-knit culture was something I could really use to portray the Korean culture.”
Experiencing a series & film in one
Having a fresh format for a K-drama, Our Blues director Kim Kyu-tae also shared how he approached the direction of the show. According to the director, he saw Our Blues as a hybrid between a film and a series.
“When we were planning the show and I read the script, it felt like a hybrid of a drama series and a movie. It sat on a fine between the two,” Kyu-tae began. “So I also wanted to make sure that this provided the viewers two experiences– one of watching a film and the other of watching a 20-episode series. That is what I focused on the most.
“I [told] myself, let’s just get back to the basics. I didn’t want to go overboard to kill two birds with one stone. I got back to the basics, I wanted to go about it the classic way, and in a sophisticated way. So that was my focus. Nowadays we tend to see a lot of fancy video techniques, where we sometimes just go for instant thrills and stimulus. But instead of going down that path, I wanted to focus more on the characters, their stories and their emotions. And I didn’t want to force anything onto the viewers. I just wanted to let them watch and slowly immerse themselves into the emotions and stories in a more natural way. I think that’s what’s most important,” the director added.
Photo courtesy of Netflix
An exciting ensemble of stars
To bring the captivating stories of Our Blues to life, the production has gathered an impressive ensemble of actors, including Shin Min-ah (Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha), Lee Byung-Hun (Mr. Sunshine, Squid Game), Cha Seung-won (One Ordinary Day, The Greatest Love), and Kim Woo-bin (Uncontrollably Fond). Also joining them are Lee Jung-eun, Han Ji-min, Uhm Jung-hwa, Roh Yoon-seo, Bae Hyun-sung, Kim Hye-Ja, Ko Du-shim, Park Ji-hwan, and Choi Young-joon.
Shin Min-ah and Lee Byung-hun’s chemistry
Lee Byung-hun stars as Lee Dong-seok, an innocent truck driver who was born and raised in Jeju Island. Dong-seok stumbles upon romance when his paths crossed with Shin Min-ah’s Min Seon-a, the actress’ first role as a mother, who had to leave her child and move to Jeju Island.
Photo courtesy of Netflix
Asked about his chemistry with Min-ah, Byung-hun shares: “Youthful and energetic was how I always imagined Min-ah, but through filming this drama I got to know that she had a very profound depth to her, and her acting has depth too. I was surprised and impressed, and I think we had very good synergy… She and I had great chemistry while filming, so it was exciting and I felt confident while working with her.”
Min-ah also shared her experience working with Byung-hun for the third time around in this new series: “This time in Our Blues we met again, and I felt like I had met three different people maybe because we had such different roles before. But I can say that I did feel slightly more comfortable with him, so I think that helped create the chemistry between Dong-seok and Seon-a.”
Shin Min-ah’s first mother role
Fresh from the success of last year’s Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, Shin Min-ah returns to our screens in Our Blues, this time as a mother. During the press conference, the actress shares her experience acting as a mother for the first time.
“Min seon-a is a character who is still dwelling in her pain. This is my first role as a mother of a child. There was more pressure for me to depict Seon-a’s emotional changes and how she overcomes her pain rather than the fact that she’s a mother. I thought it would be very difficult. But weirdly, I had an understanding of her character and her mindset. I felt her pain. Her pain and her will to overcome that pain. Those two were I thought, would be exciting for me to depict and I wanted to take on this challenge. I guess you could say, Seon-a’s character was the biggest reason I took on this piece. Her emotions and her personality were relatable for me.”
Photo courtesy of Netflix
Cha Seung-won as the hardworking father Choi Han-soo
Cha Seung-won who recently starred alongside Kim Soo-hyun in One Ordinary Day, plays the family man Choi Han-soo. “From how I see it, Han-soo works in Korea to support his family abroad and to raise his daughter abroad. Even though I’m not supporting my family abroad personally, I still had a lot of similar feelings with Han-soo as a father. I brought those thoughts into my acting for this drama. There weren’t any particular directions or processes that I focused on. As writer Noh said, just going with the flow is the best direction for her drama. Her words and penmanship really shined through all the acting, so I really enjoyed that process.”
Photo courtesy of Netflix
Kim Woo-bin’s comeback as Park Jeong-jun
It’s been six years since Kim Woo-bin last appeared in a K-drama, and fans of the actor are surely looking forward to his return, especially with his real-life partner, Shin Min-ah, also playing a part in the series. In Our Blues, Woo-bin plays captain Park Jeong-jun, a romantic man with a busy life, from driving off sea divers who harvest Jeju’s sea life to selling fish at the market.
“I put emphasis on trying to put myself in Jeong-jun’s shoes,” stated Woo-bin during the press conference. “So to understand how he grew up and the emotions he feels. I just followed through writer Noh’s script. I followed the emotional journey of Jeong-jun. And while I was getting prepared for the role, I wanted to understand the environment that he lives in. So I went over to Jeju earlier than I needed to, to meet and talk with some boat captains and sometimes just follow around haenyeo divers to see how they commute, and also learn how to trim fish. So I put a lot of time into trying to understand him.”
Photo courtesy of Netflix
Where to stream ‘Our Blues’
More characters, each with their beautiful and fleshed-out stories, are coming to the K-drama Our Blues, which will premiere on Netflix this April 9, 2022. New episodes will be released every Saturday and Sunday at 10 PM, Philippine time. For more information, visit the show’s official page on Netflix.
ABOUT ‘OUR BLUES’ Director: Kim Kim Kyu-tae Writer: Noh Hee-kyung Starring: Shin Min-ah, Lee Byung-Hun, Cha Seung-won, Kim Woo-bin, Lee Jung-eun, Han Ji-min, Uhm Jung-hwa, Roh Yoon-seo, Bae Hyun-sung, Kim Hye-Ja, Ko Du-shim, Park Ji-hwan, and Choi Young-joon. Distributed by: Netflix Release Date: April 9, 2022 (with new episodes every Saturday and Sunday, 10 PM Philippine time)
Did you ever find yourself moving forward after your dreams are taken away from you? That’s what happens in this new Netflix K-Drama, Twenty Five Twenty One, a show to watch out for on the streaming platform that’s premiering on February 12, 2022. The coming of age drama is directed by Jung Jeehyun and stars Kim Tae-ri, Nam Joo-hyuk, and more.
Watch the official trailer of Twenty Five Twenty One:
Just before its premiere, we attended a virtual press conference where the director and the lead cast talked about the newest coming of age K-Drama on Netflix, how they brought the 90s back to life, and the lead characters’ chemistry.
Here are things you need to know about Twenty Five Twenty One:
The Story
It is set in 1998 when South Korea was hit by the financial crisis. The story follows five young people whose dreams are taken away and they get together to find ways forward during the most difficult time for many.
A couple who first met when they were 22 and 18 are now 25 and 21 and begins to love and grow on each other. It shows not only a fresh sensibility of young people but also describes how they overcome hardships and frustrations together.
The Creators
Writer Kwon Doe-un collaborates with Director Jung Jeehyun for this coming-of-age story. Director Jung Jeehyun helped produce Search: WWW, The King: Eternal Monarch, and You Are My Spring.
The Cast and Characters
Twenty Five Twenty One is led by Kim Tae-ri who starred in The Handmaiden (2016), Mr. Sunshine (2018), and Nam Joo-hyuk who became popular starring in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo (2016) and Start Up (2020).
Coming back from a three-year hiatus, Kim Tae-ri plays Na Hee-do who is a high school fencing player with a passion and a dream but her team was disbanded due to the financial crisis. “The reason I chose this show is that it is so much fun. My character is full of energy and a kind of character that I haven’t met before and I was attracted to that aspect of hers,” she shares. This is also Kim Tae-ri’s second time working with Director Jung Jeehyun after Mr. Sunshine.
Nam Joo-hyuk plays Back Yi-jin whose family was broken up due to the financial crisis. However, as the oldest son, he takes all the responsibilities for his family and becomes a reporter. When asked how he showed a different side of himself, he says “I didn’t focus on showing anything new when it comes to myself, I focused on how my character could be diverse.”
Other cast members are Kim Ji-yeon who plays Ko Yu-rim, a member of the national fencing team; Choi Hyun-wook who plays Moon Ji-woong, an influencer and wants to be a member at Cyworld; and Lee Joo-myoung who plays Ji Seong-wan, a top student who is a member of the high school radio team, sharing the student’s daily lives in school.
Kim Tae-ri and Nam Joo-hyuk’s Characters’ Chemistry
Did you know it’s not their first time working together? Nam Joo-hyuk shares that he hasn’t seen this kind of chemistry before. He recalls that he and Kim Tae-ri actually worked in two commercials before and that experience made their bond a lot stronger. “We both thought we were meeting each other for the first time but we were wrong,” Nam Joo-hyuk admits to the press.
When asked what word to describe their characters’ chemistry, Kim Tae-ri answers with “immature” and “naive.” She adds, “Hee-do and Yi-jin are starting together and they’re inexperienced, so I think those are the attractive points of the two characters.” Meanwhile, Joo-hyuk answers “youth” to describe their characters’ chemistry — “the youthfulness and purity of the two,” he adds.
The Difference Between Other Coming of Age Dramas
Writer Kwon Doe-un shares that this show is depicting a time period that is set in the clearest way possible. The story is about the individuals but at the same time, it also deals with the particularly hard time in Korean history from the individual’s life.
Director Jung Jeehyun also shares they had to focus on styling, hairstyle, and make-up — elements that played into creating this unique story. In terms of setting up props right and other elements, that required a lot of effort but they were able to pull it off.
Twenty Five Twenty One premieres on Netflix on February 12. Stream here.
About ‘Twenty Five Twenty One’ Director: Jung Jeehyun Writer: Kwon Doe-un Cast: Kim Tae-ri, Nam Joo-hyuk, Kim Ji Yeon, Choi Hyun Wook, Lee Ju Myoung Produced by: tvN Distributed by: Netflix Logline: Amidst the turbulence of the East Asian Financial Crisis in 1998, the 22-year-old meets the 18-year-old. At the time, friendship was passionate; love was overwhelming; and despair, heart-wrenching. At 25 and 21, they fall in love. The story of five young people from 1998 to 2001, who thought they would be together forever. Release date: February 12, 2022
Love is in the air as weather forecasters fall for each other in Netflix’s new K-drama Forecasting Love and Weather. The series directed by Cha Young Hun of When the Camellia Blooms and starring Park Min-young and Song Kang is heading to the streaming platform this February 12, 2022, with two episodes to be released per week.
Watch the trailer of Forecasting Love and Weather below:
Before the pilot episode of this series drops tomorrow, we had the chance to virtually attend a press conference for the show which included director Cha Young-hun, and the main cast: Park Min Young, Song Kang, Yoon Bak, and Yura. During the presscon, they talked more about the series, its characters, and how it all came together.
Synopsis
This 16-episode rom-com series follows the “cheerful romance drama” of people at the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). The story centers on Jin Ha-Kyung who decides not to commit to an office romance ever again after a brutal breakup. But when the new team member Lee Si-woo arrives, she can’t help but fall for him.
As actress Park Min-young described the series, “It has elements of romance, it has elements of work, growth, and ambition. So it has a diverse array of emotions and elements, and I think this makes the story even more interesting.”
Photo courtesy of Netflix
Forecasting Love and Weather is heading to Netflix on Saturday, February 12, 2022, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Two episodes will be released every week on Saturdays and Sundays with a total of 16 episodes.
The Cast and Characters
Forecasting Love and Weather has a star-studded cast K-drama fans would want to watch out for. Park Min-young of What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim, Her Private Life, and City Hunter plays Jin Ha-Kyung, the youngest chief forecaster in KMA’s Forecasters’ Division 2.
Photo courtesy of Netflix
“I think for the first time, we’re going to get some cold wind from Siberia,” said Min-young, comparing Jin Ha-Kyung with the bubbly characters she played in the past. “She is very cold-headed, she is a stickler to the principles and rules, and she’s not really a very popular character. Work is always first for her, and I think that’s one of the reasons she was dumped by her boyfriend, she’s always about work.”
Meanwhile, Song Kang of Navillera, Love Alarm, Nevertheless, and Sweet Home, stars as the special reporter Lee Si-woo. Kang described his character as “an innocent and very funny guy, but he is down to business about the weather.”
Photo courtesy of Netflix
Yoon Bak who starred in You Are My Spring and Itaewon Class will play Ha-kyung’s ex-boyfriend Han Ki-joon, who is the KMA spokesperson director. According to actor Bak, the character “cares a lot about what people think of him,” and is “the worst person.”
Photo courtesy of Netflix
Lastly, Yura of Now We Are Breaking Up stars as the daily weather reporter Chae Yoo-jin. “Yoo-jin wants to become successful,” shared Yura. “She is in her 20s, and she has a lot of ambitions, but not everything goes her way so she struggles really hard.”
Photo courtesy of Netflix
Getting the Cast Onboard
The series has an exciting roster of stars but what attracted them to join the project? The cast members also answered this question during the press conference. For Park Min-young, it was the uniqueness of the story that got her saying yes.
Photo courtesy of Netflix
“I never really knew much about the weather service and I don’t think there’s a series that really delved into this area so I thought that was really crisp-fresh,” said Min-young. But she also shared some of the challenges of doing this series: “If there’s like a medical drama or a legal drama, there are a lot of them so I can learn from the other dramas and series. And I kinda know how they speak and what terminologies they use. But for the weather service, I really had no idea how they spoke and what terminologies there are so it was really difficult to look up the terminologies. So I had to look up documentaries in order to familiarize myself with the service.
“So it was like a big, difficult homework for me. At first, I didn’t think it was too difficult, but now I think this series was one of the most challenging for me. But because it was challenging, I really enjoyed it, and I’m really proud that I pulled it off,” the actress added.
Photo courtesy of Netflix
Meanwhile, Song Kang highlighted the humor of the story and how he relates to his character when answering why he got on board for the project. “First I thought the premise of the KMA is very interesting, and while I was reading the script, I think it was very humorous. It was very funny in some parts, so that is why it was really attractive for me. And my character Si-woo is really innocent, naive, and kind of dorky so I think that he resembles me to some extent that’s why I chose this series,” he explained.
Yura also loved the humor, as well as the heart-fluttering parts of the script. “I auditioned twice for Forecasting Love and Weather,” shared the actress. “When I read the script, I was just like an audience reading the script, right? So I read the [first through fourth episodes] in the script and I found myself bursting out in laughter and sometimes my heart would flutter. And then I went to see the director, director Cha is such a nice person. I was really touched by his good heart so I was sure that I wanted to be in this series.”
Photo courtesy of Netflix
Yoon Bak, unlike his co-stars actually wanted to say no to the project because of his character. Here’s why he pushed through with the role:
“I have to be frank, right? I don’t want to lie,” the actor began. “The three actors said that the script was fun and that applied to me too. Everyone was so nice except for my character, Han Ki-Joon. He’s like the worst person ever so I really didn’t like him, but they offered me this character. So I had a meeting, and I was going to say no, and I went to see the director, but then the director persuaded me that I should take this part, so that’s why I became a part of this series. But you know, filming was fun and exciting and I could find the evil inside of me coming out, so it’s a very meaningful experience for me as well.
Life and the Weather Side by Side
Asked how the story of Forecasting Love and Weather took shape, director Cha Young-hun explained that it has been in the head of creator and writer Sun Young for a very long time before it was finally brought to life on TV.
“I think it took her about two years to do all the research and for about eight months, she practically lived at the KMA,” revealed Young-hun. “She worked overnight with them for two months, to really get a grasp of what’s happening there and when I talked to her, I felt like the weather and life of people, I think there are many similarities and I found that very interesting.”
“We are not able to know what is going to happen next in our life and that is the same for the weather. Then I put myself in the shoes of the people who have to forecast this unpredictable weather, and I think that was the trigger that interested both the writer and myself to this story. We cannot predict what is going to happen next in our lives, or what’s going to happen in the weather. We sometimes get the wrong gut feeling but we don’t give up. Weather forecasters need to continue to make the weather forecast and people need to continue with their everyday life. And I thought that was very intriguing,” the director added.
Watch Forecasting Love and Weather when it starts streaming on Netflix this February 12, 2022.
About ‘Forecasting Love and Weather’ Directed by: Cha Young Hun Writer: Sun Young Premiere date: February 12th Episodes: 16 episodes (Every Sat & Sun 2 episodes per week) Starring: Park Min Young, Song Kang, Yoon Bak, and Yura Distributed by:Netflix Logline: Inside a national weather service, love proves just as difficult to predict as rain or shine for a diligent forecaster and her free-spirited co-worker. Release Date: February 12, 2022
The year 2021 proved to be another successful year for Korean content on Netflix, especially with the release of Squid Game that quickly became a global phenomenon. In fact, according to the numbers released by Don Kang, Netflix’s VP of Content for Korea, the global viewing hours of their Korean shows grew six-fold last year, compared to 2019.
With such an amount of love from their viewers, Netflix is set to continue bringing us quality Korean content this year. To hype up the excitement among subscribers, the streaming giant has now released a sizzle reel of their upcoming titles this 2022. Watch it below:
Below is the full list for Netflix’s Korean content slate for the year, including details dropped by the streaming platform:
SERIES
All Of Us Are Dead (January 28)
Directed by: Lee JQ, Kim Nam-su Starring: Yoon Chan-young, Park Ji-hu, Cho Yi-hyun, Lomon, Yoo In-soo, Lee You-mi, Lim Jae-hyeok
Netflix Series All of Us Are Dead is a story about students trapped in a school amid a zombie virus outbreak who later join hands to fight for survival. All of Us Are Dead is based on a popular webtoon by Webtoon creator Joo Dong-geun, touted as a ‘Korean-style zombie graphic novel’ with its wild imagination, gripping storyline, and meticulous details. The horrific visuals of students infected by the mysterious zombie virus and stunning action set in different parts of the school are a must-watch.
Juvenile Justice (TBA)
Directed by: Hong Jong-chan Starring: Kim Hye-soo, Kim Moo-yeol, Lee Sung-min, Lee Jung-Eun
Juvenile Justice deals with a judge who dislikes juvenile delinquents, later realizing the troubles children face in society and how society is circumventing them to become better people. Kim Hye-soo(Hyena, Signal) plays Sim Eun-seok, the charismatic judge newly appointed to a district with the highest juvenile delinquency and makes unorthodox decisions to existing judgments. She later tries to send a message that society is also responsible for juveniles’ immoral and illicit acts.
Photo courtesy of Netflix
Twenty Five Twenty One (February 12)
Directed by: Jung Jeehyun Starring: Kim Tae-ri, Nam Joo-hyuk, Kim Ji Yeon, Choi Hyun Wook, Lee Ju Myung
Twenty Five, Twenty One is a drama of youths who lost their dream to the zeitgeist of 1998, a drama of their dilemma and growth. They called out each other’s names for the first time when they were twenty-two and eighteen. Now they’ve each become twenty-five and twenty-one. The fine line between a heart-fluttering first love and a heart-warming friendship gives them butterflies. Their sparkling love and growth, as well as the chemistry and hardships among the five friends, remind us of our intense yet beautiful youth.
Forecasting Love and Weather (February 12)
Directed by: Cha Young Hun Starring: Park Min Young, Song Kang, Yoon Bak, Yura
Forecasting Love and Weather is a cheerful romance drama of people at the Korea Meteorological Administration who break, fall, and get back on their feet every day. Forecasting Love and Weather is a romantic comedy series of people at the Korea Meteorological Administration who break, fall and get back on their feet every day. The story narrates Jin Ha-kyung, who decides never to commit to an office romance after a brutal break-up, again falling into a relationship with a newcomer in the team Lee Si-woo who is different but attractive in his own way. With a star-studded cast of Park Min Young and Song Kang, this is one of the most anticipated Romantic Comedies in the first half of 2022.
Photo courtesy of Netflix
Thirty Nine (February 16)
Directed by: Kim Sang-ho Starring: Son Ye-jin, Jeon Mi-do, Kim Ji-hyun
Thirty Nine is a down-to-earth life and romance drama that touches deep into the friendship, love, and life of three friends who are about to turn forty. A coincidence in their high school years brought the three of them together to become BFFs. Cha Mi-jo (played by Son Ye-jin) Jeong Chan-young (played by Jeon Mi-do) and Jang Joo-hee (played by Kim Ji-hyun) are very close friends who have been through both the good and the worst times together. Mi-jo now works as a Dermatologist, Chan-young as an acting coach and Joo-hee as a cosmetics sales manager. One fine day, when they are all 39, life takes a turn for the worse and they have to get ready for goodbye.
Photo courtesy of Netflix
Tomorrow (TBA)
Directed by: Kim Tae-Youn, Sung Chi-Wook Starring: Kim Hee-seon, Rowoon, Lee Soo-hyuk
The grim reapers who used to escort the dead now save those who want to die. An afterlife fantasy drama, Tomorrow depicts how a long-time unemployed Choi Jun-woong accidentally bumps into grim reapers on a special mission and becomes a contract worker at their Crisis Management Team to help them out on their mission.
Photo courtesy of Netflix
Business Proposal
Directed by: Park Seon Ho Starring: Ahn Hyo-Seop, Kim Se Jeong, Seol In A, Kim Min Gue, Lee Duck Hwa
An office romance drama, Business Proposal, is based on a globally famous web novel and webtoon of the same name with a total 320 million views. An office romance of a perfect CEO who’s got both the looks and the brains and an average employee who becomes his blind date will certainly keep you away from quitting your job! An average employee Shin Ha-ri (played by Kim Se Jeong) goes on a blind date in her friend’s stead as a sassy girl, only to find her blind date to be the CEO of her company, Kang Tae-moo (played by Ahn Hyo-Seop). After the two run into each other on their blind date, they each struggle in their own way at the office as the CEO and the employee, which can sometimes be sweet, thrilling, and even tense.
Photo courtesy of Netflix
The Sound of Magic (TBA)
Directed by: Kim Sung-youn Starring: Ji Chang-wook, Choi Sung-eun, Hwang In-youp
The Sound of Magic, based on the popular webtoon Annarasumanara, is a touching drama about Yoon Ah-yi, a girl who had to grow up too fast, and Rieul, a mysterious magician who — although grown up — wants to remain as a kid. Ji Chang-wook plays Rieul, a mysterious magician who lives in an abandoned amusement park, Choi Sung-eun plays the role of Yoon Ah-yi and Hwang In-youp will play Yoon Ah-yi’s classmate Na Il-deung. The Sound of Magic will be directed by Kim Sung-youn whose impeccable storytelling skills were shown in the hit series, Itaewon Class. He teams up again with writer Kim Min Jeong, who worked with him on Love in the Moonlight.
Photo courtesy of Netflix
Remarriage and Desires (TBA)
Directed by: Kim Jung-Min Starring: Kim Hee-Seon, Lee Hyun-Wook, Jung Eugene, Park Hoon, Cha Ji-Yeon
Remarriage & Desires is a satire of Korean society governed by desire. Set at the exclusive matchmaking agency Rex catering to the top echelons of society, ambitious souls hope to upgrade their status by marrying or remarrying into the ranks of the elite. They aspire to nab someone from the “Black” tier, the highest group consisting of the top 0.001 percent of the population. With a star-studded cast of Kim Hee-Seon, Lee Hyun-Wook, and Jung Eungene, Remarriage and Desires shrewdly portrays the commercialized dating/marriage business and society’s perception in which we live.
Photo courtesy of Netflix
A Model Family (TBA)
Directed by: Kim Jin-woo Starring: Jung Woo, Park Hee-soon, Yoon Jin-seo, Park Ji-yeon
A Model Family is a story about a man on the brink of bankruptcy and divorce stumbling upon a car loaded with cash. The incident has him crossing paths with the second-in-command of a drug organization. Jung Woo, Park Hee-soon, Yoon Jin-seo and Park Ji-yeon lead this thrilling illustration of an ordinary family coincidently putting hands on illegal drug money. The scene-stealing synergy between acclaimed actors Jung Woo – who plays the man discovering the cash – and Park Hee-soon – who plays the second-in-command of Drug Cartel – is a must-watch ready to captivate the audience.
Glitch tells the story of Hong Jihyo, who attempts to track down her missing boyfriend with the help of members of a UFO club. In the process, she comes face to face with a mysterious secret. Writer Gin Han-sai who enthralled audiences and critics with the much-lauded Netflix series Extracurricular. The series will be directed by Roh Deok, known for her genre-crossing agility, and Jeon Yeo-been plays the lead role of Hong Jihyo, and NANA plays Bora.
Photo courtesy of Netflix
The Accidental Narco (TBA)
Directed by: Yoon Jong-bin Starring: Ha Jung-woo, Hwang Jung-min, Park Hae-soo, Jo Woo-jin, Yoo Yeon-seok, Chang Chen
Based on real-life events, the story is about an ordinary entrepreneur who has no choice but to risk his life in joining the secret mission of government agents to capture a Korean drug lord operating in The Accidental Narco.The Accidental Narco marks Director Yoon Jong-bin’s first foray into series and first collaboration with Netflix. A star-studded cast including Ha Jung-woo, Hwang Jung-min, Park Hae-soo, Jo Woo-jin and Yoo Yeson-seok is on deck, along with mounting anticipation as The Accidental Narco is the first collaboration between Ha Jung-woo and Hwang Jung-min.
Photo courtesy of Netflix
The Fabulous (TBA)
Directed by: Kim Jeong-hyeon Starring: Chae Soo-bin, Choi Min-ho
The Fabulous is a highly realistic romance that explores the dreams, love, and friendship of young people who devote their lives to working in the fashion industry, where fashion often means passion.
Love to Hate You (TBA)
Directed by: Kim Jeong-kwon Starring: Kim Ok-vin, Yoo Teo, Kim Ji-hun, Go Won-hee
Love to Hate You is about the war-like relationship between a woman who hates losing to men and a man frantically suspicious of women who later discover life remedies behind their opposite characteristics. Starring Kim Ok-bin and Teo Yoo, Love to Hate You depicts the love and emotional sympathy that triumphs over the broader mistrust between the opposite sex.
Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area (TBA)
Directed by: Kim Hong-sun Starring: Yoo Ji-tae, Kim Yunjin, Park Hae-soo, Jun Jong-seo, Lee Won-jong, Park Myung-hoon, Kim Seung-o, Kim Ji-hun, Jang Yoon-ju, Lee Joobeen, Lee Hyun-woo, Kim Ji-hoon, Lee Kyu-ho
Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area narrates a genius strategist and his talented crew – composed of top-class thieves – attempting to pull off an unprecedented heist in the Korean Peninsula. The story portrays unexpected twists and turns as the crew stage a hostage while facing inexplicable challenges. All eyes are focused on the background and definition behind the title Joint Economic Area.
Somebody (TBA)
Directed by: Jung Ji-woo Starring: Kim Young-kwang, Kang Hae-lim, Kim Yong-ji, Kim Su-yeon
A murder case revolves around the social dating app – Somebody, triggering a developer of the app, and her friends to entangle in inexplicable issues surrounding a mysterious figure named Yoon-oh. Prominent director Jung Ji-woo spearheads the production – marking his first foray into series and collaboration with Netflix – along with writer Han Ji-wan renown for his ability to write excellent thriller genre scripts. Star Kim Young-kwang leads the cast with a group of fresh new names Kang Hae-lim, Kim Yong-ji, and Kim Su-yeon.
Black Knight (TBA)
Directed by: Cho Ui-seok Starring: Kim woo-bin, Esom, Kang you-seok
Starring Kim woo-bin, Black Knight illustrates an air polluted world in 2071, where people depend on respirator masks to breathe. Only one percent of the human race has survived, and a strict social stratification has been established in the deserted lands of the Korean Peninsula. Delivery drivers play a crucial role within this system, and for refugees, becoming a delivery driver is their only hope for survival. Amid desolation, Black Knight tells the story of a legendary delivery driver 5-8 with exceptional battle skills and refugee Sawol who dreams of following in his footsteps.
Celeb Five: Behind The Curtain (TBA)
Directed by: Kim Joo-hyung, Go Min-seok Starring: Celeb Five (Kim Shin-young, Song Eun-i, Shin Bong-seon, An Young-mi)
Celeb Five on Netflix? A fake documentary Celeb Five: Behind the Curtain takes a peek into how Celeb Five goes on marathons of ideation meetings to plan an amazing stage after being offered a solo show on Netflix. Their behind-the-stage work, more ingenious and hilarious than the on-stage show itself, provides incessant laughter and fun. Endless gut-busting stories, all-of-a-sudden pretend play, skits made on-the-fly and all the improvs… They’re definitely showing all they’ve got! This hilarious show is produced by Company SangSang, known for its great synergy with Netflix on shows like Busted, Twogether and New World, and co-directed by Celeb Five and Director Kim Joo-hyoung, praised for having laid the groundwork for Korean standing comedies with Park Na-rae: Glamour Warning and Lee Su-geun: The Sense Coach.
Photo courtesy of Netflix
FILMS
Love and Leashes (February 11)
Directed by: Park Hyun-jin Starring: Seo Hyun, Lee Jun-Young, EL
Love and Leashes is a film about a different kind of romance between a man with a unique taste and a woman who stumbles upon his secret. Seo Hyun, who recently played a shapeshifting swindler in Private Lives, will star in her first film, Love and Leashes. Jung Ji-woo, played by Seo Hyun in the film, is a woman who leads a racy romance by engaging in a “special” relationship with her co-worker after she accidentally learns about his secret peculiarities. Performing outstandingly across an array of genres like in the musical Swag Age: Shout, Chosun!, the drama Please Don’t Date Him, Imitation, rising star Lee Jun-young will play the role of Jung Ji-hoo, a man with unusual tastes. Lee Jun-young will add vibrancy and excitement in the role as his character’s charm and figure, adored by his female co-workers, hide his secret and unique taste.
Yaksha: Ruthless Operations (TBA)
Directed by: Na Hyun Writer: An Sang-hoon, Na Hyun Starring: Sul Kyung-gu, Park Hae-soo, HIROYUKI Ikeuchi, Yang Dong-keun, EL, Song Jae-lim, Park Jin-young
A breathtaking spy action film Yaksha: Ruthless Operations unfolds as a merciless man known as “Yaksha” crosses paths with a prosecutor on a special inspection mission in Shenyang, a city in China notorious for espionage. Director Na Hyun makes his long-awaited comeback after directing Prison, which has swept audiences off their feet with stunning action scenes and a tightly wound plot, and adapting Inseparable Bros into a delicate and heartwarming story. Sul Kyung-gu plays the callous head of the overseas espionage team, also known as the man-eating Yaksha, who accomplishes his goals by hook or by crook. Park Hae-soo, a global star from Squid Game, plays the role of Ji-hoon, a prosecutor demoted to Shenyang for playing it by the book.
Photo courtesy of Netflix
Carter (TBA)
Directed by: Jung Byung-gil Starring: Joo Won
Carter is a new original film about an agent suffering from memory loss who is thrown into the middle of a mysterious mission. At the helm of the series is director Jung Byung-gil, whose skilled hands have produced many unique action films. Joo Won, who played powerful roles in Good doctor, Yong-pal, transforms into an action hero in Director Jung Byung-gil’s new work. In the popular drama Alice, which involved car chases and hand-to-hand combat, Joo Won exhibited his great skill in performing action scenes. The role of Carter will challenge him with even more extreme and exciting action. In the series, Carter is a top agent who awakens one day with a complete loss of memory, but is then thrown into the mission of a lifetime. Joo Won will portray the character’s inner struggle as he deals with the uncertainties of his mission.
Photo courtesy of Netflix
Seoul Vibe (TBA)
Directed by: Moon Hyun-sung Starring: Yoo Ah-in, Ko Kyung-Pyo, Lee kyoo-hyung, Park Ju-hyun, Ong Seong-wu
Action blockbuster Seoul Vibe narrates a talented crew of baby drivers – known as the Sangedong Supreme team. With the world’s eyes drained to the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, the illegal transactions of capital (funds) is a significant issue. A special operation driven by the Sangedong Supreme team initiates to unravel the corruption behind the slush funds. An all-star cast – Yoo Ah-in, Ko Kyung-pyo, Lee kyoo-hyung , Park Ju-hyun, Ong Seong-wu– portrays this incredible chase in the city of Seoul tightly packed with breathtaking action scenes.
20th Century Girl (TBA)
Directed by: Bang Woo-ri Starring: Kim You-jung, Byeon Woo-seok, Park Jung-woo, Roh Yoon-seo
In 1999 – the last year of the 20th century – seventeen-year-old Bo-ra finds her first love: a sweet, pure but heartbreaking relationship. Years later in the 21st century, news about her first love revives her teenage romance that she once thought had forgotten.The 20th Century Girl narrates the lives of the youth in their 20s, filled with vivid moments of love and friendship. Starring the popular Kim You-jung, Byeon Woo-seok, Park Jung-woo, and Roh Yoon-Seo, this pit-a-patting film will be directed by Bang Woo-ri, who won the Best Short Film award for Mrs.Young at the Blue Dragon Awards.
Photo courtesy of Netflix
JUNG_E (TBA)
Directed by: Yeon Sang-ho Starring: Kang Soo-youn, Kim Hyun-joo, Ryu Kyung-soo
JUNG_E portrays a desolated Earth in the 22nd century that is no longer inhabitable due to climate change. Amid the chaos, an internal war breaks out in the shelter built for human survival. Victory – meaning the end of the war – now hinges on finding a way to clone the legendary mercenary JUNG_E into a scalable robot. Orchestrated by Director Yeon Sang-ho of Train to Busan, Peninsula, and Hellbound, and with a colorful cast – Kang Soo-youn, Kim Hyun-joo, Ryu Kyung-soo–,JUNG_E portrays a unique theme combined with dystopia, cloning, and technology.
Netflix has just released a special teaser for the upcoming Korean adaptation of Spain’s global hit series La Casa de Papel. Titled Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area, the series reimagines the popular characters of El Profesor, Berlin, Tokyo, and more as they commit the biggest heist in South Korea.
Watch the teaser below:
The teaser features the Professor, portrayed by Yoo Ji-tae, as he approaches a wall with masks including the original show’s iconic Salvador Dali mask. The scene cuts off just as the Professor reaches out to take a mask. Since the Dali mask represents Spain, viewers can expect that the crew of the new series will don masks that will also represent Korea.
The teaser then gives us a look at the other key characters of the series, including Seon Woojin, the Team leader of the Crisis Negotiation Team, and the Professor’s crew members– Berlin, Tokyo, Moscow, Denver, Nairobi, Rio, Helsinki, and Oslo.
Directed by Kim Hong-sun, the series also stars Kim Yunjin, Park Hae-soo, Jun Jong-seo, Lee Won-jong, Park Myung-hoon, Kim Sung-o, Kim Ji-hun, Jang Yoon-ju, Lee Joobeen, Lee Hyun-woo, Kim Ji-hoon, and Lee Kyu-ho.
Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area will be released sometime in 2022, only on Netflix.
