Edited by Hong Hyun Jung
Translated by Esther Lee
Many Korean shows on Netflix, including Hellbound, My Name and Squid Game, have achieved global success this year. Next year, Netflix will be bringing many more exciting Korean titles, including the zombie series All of Us Are Dead (premieres in January) and the legal TV show Juvenile Justice (February). Let’s take a look at some of the most anticipated new Korean originals that are coming to Netflix in 2022.
Remarriage & Desires
Overview: Remarriage & Desires is about ambitious souls who hope to upgrade their status by marrying or remarrying into the ranks of the elite through the help of an exclusive matchmaking agency.
This satirical series follows those who dream of changing their lives by marrying or remarrying someone with a lot of money or power. Kim Hee Sun takes the role of Seo Hye Seung, a middle-class housewife who loses everything overnight. Lee Hyun Wook acts opposite her as Lee Hyung Ju, a self-made entrepreneur looking for a trophy wife who will potentially help his business.
The Sound of Magic (working title)
Overview: The Sound of Magic is a touching drama about Yoon Ah Yi, a girl who had to grow up too fast, and Rieul, a mysterious magician who wants to remain as a kid.
The Sound of Music is a TV adaptation of Ha Il Kwon’s webtoon, which gained huge popularity for its enchanting elements of magic and its realistic portrayal of a teenage girl’s emotions and thoughts. Ji Chang Wook plays Rieul, a mysterious magician who lives in an abandoned amusement park. Choi Sung Eun will be playing opposite the Empress Ki star as Yoon Ah Yi, a girl who experiences a series of incredible events after running into the magician in the midst of her harsh reality. Hwang In Yeop will play Na Il Deung, a genius who doesn’t know how to communicate with others.
La casa de papel (working title)
Netflix original series Money Heist is getting a Korean remake. The series is about a group of unusual thieves who take hostages to carry out the perfect robbery plan. Yoo Ji Tae (Professor), Kim Yoon Jin (team leader of the Hostage Rescue Team), Jeon Jong Seo (Tokyo), Park Hae Soo (Berlin), Kim Ji Hoon (Denver), Jang Yoon Joo (Nairobi), Lee Hyun Woo (Rio), Lee Won Jong (Moscow), Park Myung Hoon (the Director of the South Korean Mint), and more have been confirmed to appear on the show. With the strong cast, there are high expectations for the upcoming Korean remake.
Glitch
Overview: Glitch tells the story of a girl named Hong Ji Hyo, who tries to track down her missing boyfriend with the help of members of a UFO club.
Glitch is the newest work of the Extracurricular writer, Jin Han Sae. Jeon Ye Bin takes the role of Hong Ji Hyo, who sets out to search for her missing boyfriend. Lee Dong Hwi will play Hong Ji Hyo’s boyfriend, and Nana will be helping Ji Hyo in her search for her missing man.
Somebody
Overview: Somebody tells the story of a murder case surrounding a social connecting app called ‘Somebody.’ A series of strange events occur between the app developer, her friends, and a mysterious individual named Yun Oh.
The series has caught the attention of its potential viewers with its star-studded cast and its unique approach to existing social connecting apps. Kim Young Kwang plays architectural designer Yun Oh, who is charming but never opens up to others. Rookie actress Kang Hae Rim takes on the role of the developer of ‘Somebody’ named Sum, who lacks some critical social skills. Kim Soo Yeon and Kim Yong Ji each play a friend of the developer and a police officer investigating the murder case.
Love to Hate You
Overview: Love to Hate You is a romantic comedy series that centers around a man and a woman who doesn’t believe in love because of their distrust in the opposite sex. They will come to realize true love through the tough process of understanding each other.
The upcoming series is about a man and a woman coming to understand each other as they resolve their own misconception about the male and female gender. Kim Ok Vin plays Yeo Mi Ran, a lawyer who believes that money is the secret to happiness in this tough world. Yoo Teo takes on the role of Nam Kang Ho, a top actor who is often called “the master of romance” but hates going out on dates.
The Fabulous
Overview: The Fabulous is a drama about the work, passion, romance, and friendships of young men and women who have thrown themselves into the fashion industry.
The drama will depict the lives of those who struggle to survive in the fashion industry. SHINee’s Minho and Chae Soo Bin will co-star in the series and showcase their iffy relationship. Minho plays a freelancer who doesn’t get hung up on either work or love. Chae Soo Bin is set to play an employee of a PR agency who wants to be part of the fashion industry.
Model Family (working title)
Overview: Model Family revolves around a man who becomes embroiled in the dealings of a drug organization after discovering a mysterious load of cash in hopes of saving his failing marriage and family from bankruptcy.
Exec produced by Love Alarm 2 showrunner Kim Jin Woo, the series will be led by two men, one who needs to save his family from bankruptcy and the other who needs to protect his money. Jung Woo will play Dong Ha, a breadwinner of an ordinary family who unexpectedly gets involved in drug deals. Park Hee Soon takes on the role of Gwang Cheol, the underboss of a drug cartel, who manipulates Dong Ha to do whatever evil thing he planned.
Suriname (working title)
Overview: Based on a true story, 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 Suriname.
Ha Jung Woo takes the role of Kang In Gu, who sets off to Suriname to start his own business but ends up knee-deep in drug crimes instead. Hwang Jung Min plays Jeon Yo Hwan, the drug lord who controls Suriname to his will. Park Hae Soo, Jo Woo Jin, and Yoo Yeon Seok will star in the show as supporting characters. Meanwhile, Ha Jung Woo was fined for the illegal use of propofol while the series was in its production stage.
Queenmaker
Overview: Queenmaker �is about a woman who is the best in her field of President Identity consulting and her plan to make a labor rights lawyer the mayor of Seoul.
Many are hoping to see the chemistry and ‘womance’ between Kim Hee Ae and Moon So Ri in this upcoming work. Kim Hee Ae takes on the role of Hwang Do Hee, the leader of the Strategic Planning Office at a conglomerate who effortlessly deals with any difficult situations that the company faces. Moon So Ri plays the human rights lawyer, Oh Seung Sook, who stands with the weak and strives to make the world a better place.
Edited Hong Hyun Jung: I am a K-content guide who publishes various articles for people to enjoy Korean movies and dramas deeper and richer. I’ll introduce you to the works that you can laugh, cry and sympathize with.
Translator Esther Lee: I’ll be providing you with up-to-date, reliable Korean entertainment news. Enjoy!
