Edited by Hong Hyun Jung
Translated Yu Jin Kim
With 12.12: The Day attracting more than ten million moviegoers, theaters are regaining some of their own lost glory with new flicks announcing their release dates. Starting with Alienoid: The Return to the Future, films like Dog Days, Exhuma and Dead Man are gearing up to meet viewers.
Here, we’ve gathered films slated to arrive in 2024.
2 O’Clock Date
Exit‘s director Lee Sang Geun and YoonA teamed up for a new romance movie. 2 O’Clock Date is a fairytale-like romantic comedy that revolves around an unemployed man encountering a mysterious woman who lives downstairs. As she keeps excelling in both movies and dramas, everyone’s watching YoonA to see if she can work her magic at the box office once again.
Veteran 2
Director Ryoo Seung Wan‘s blockbuster hit film, Veteran, is making a comeback with its sequel. Hwang Jung Min, Oh Dal Su, Jang Yoon Ju, Oh Dae Hwan, and Kim Shi Hoo are set to reprise their roles as members of the violent crime investigation team, with Jung Hae In joining as the youngest detective. Expectations are high for the actor, who earned praise for his performances in D.P. and 12.12: The Day. The film is scheduled to premiere in the second half of this year.
>> Jung Hae In Shines in Brief But Impactful Role in ‘12.12: The Day’
Harbin
Director Woo Min Ho, known for exploring South Korea’s history in films like Inside Men and The Man Standing Next, has shifted focus to the Japanese colonial period. The upcoming espionage action film, Harbin is set in the early 1900s and is attracting attention with Hyun Bin in the lead role. The movie tells the story of independence fighters who risked their lives to reclaim their homeland. Hyun Bin takes on the role of the independence activist An Jung Geun, alongside co-stars Park Jung Min, Jo Woo Jin, Jeon Yeo Bin and Ryu Jae Myung. Plus, Lee Dong Wook will make a cameo appearance. The film is set to offer a compelling portrayal of this historical period.
Secret
The hit Taiwanese film Secret is getting a Korean remake. The story revolves around Yoo Jun, a piano prodigy, who encounters Jung Ah playing a mysterious piece of music in an old practice room on campus. Do Kyung Soo will be making his much-anticipated return to the big screen with this romantic film alongside Won Jin Ah. There’s growing curiosity about whether the movie can bring its own vision while staying true to the original film.
Tyrant
Kim Seon Ho is set to make his big-screen comeback in Tyrant, marking his second collaboration with director Park Hoon Jung. The movie follows the story of individuals connected to the last sample of the government’s ‘tyrant’ program, lost due to a delivery accident. Viewers are curious about whether Kim Seon Ho will make a successful comeback with his upcoming project, especially considering the poor box office results of his previous film The Childe.
Wonderland
Will Wonderland finally see the light of day this year? The movie is still shrouded in mystery even though Park Bo Gum completed its filming before his enlistment. Helmed by the director of Late Autumn, Kim Tae Yong, the film follows people using a big data program to virtually recreate those who have left this world. The movie has been a buzzworthy topic since its early production stage, with Park Bo Gum, Suzy, Jung Yoo Mi, Choi Woo Sik, and Tang Wei on board. There have even been speculations about a possible unveiling at the Cannes Film Festival. Fingers crossed that we get to witness this much-anticipated movie this year.
The Roundup: Punishment
The Roundup, a blockbuster series that drew ten million viewers in each installment, is set to return with its fourth movie. This time, the film will follow Detective Ma Seok Do as he teams up with the cyber investigation team to root out an illegal online gambling organization. Kim Moo Yeol will play the new villain, succeeding Yoon Kye Sang, Son Suk Ku, and Lee Jun Hyuk from the previous movies. Meanwhile, Park Ji Hwan, absent in The Roundup: No Way Out, will be making his comeback in the new installment. The upcoming film is raising expectations about whether Ma Dong Seok will once again bring the film success with his fierce face-off with despicable criminals.
My Name is Loh Kiwan
There haven’t been any official announcements regarding Song Joong Ki’s upcoming project as of now. It is highly anticipated that he may be seen on the big screen in Netflix’s movie, My Name is Loh Kiwan. The film follows Ki Wan, a North Korean defector arriving in Belgium with his last glimmer of hope, as he meets and parts away with a woman who has lost all reasons for living. Choi Sung Eun is set to co-star alongside Song Ki Wan in this project.
Large Family
Lee Seung Gi received more cold glances than congratulations after announcing his marriage to Lee Da In last year. Many are now watching closely to see if he can bring about positive changes in his public image. In his upcoming project, Large Family, he collaborates with director Yang Woo Seok and veteran actor Kim Yoon Seok, known for their work in Steel Rain. The film follows an elite medical student who transforms into a Buddhist abbot. Notably, Lee Seung Gi shaved his head to authentically portray the Buddhist monk character. This movie is seen as a potential turning point in his career.
The Land of Happiness
The Land of Happiness follows a lawyer grappling to save a person entangled in a case that left a significant mark on modern Korean history. This film serves as the posthumous work of Lee Sun Kyun, who passed away in December last year. The project gained attention during its press conference for having director Choo Chang Min of Gwanghaegun of Joseon and The Crowned Clown directing the movie, and having Jo Jung Suk, Lee Sun Kyun, and Ryu Jae Myung starring in the project. It’s worth mentioning that another posthumous work of Lee Sun Kyun, titled Project Silence, was screened at the Cannes Film Festival last year.
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.
