Edited by Hong Hyun Jung
Translated by Kim Hoyeun
On the 1st, the release of My Name is Loh Kiwan, starring Song Joong Ki, garnered significant attention. Despite falling short of expectations and receiving mixed reviews, it has performed well in Asia. Netflix has unveiled a range of Korean films across various genres and themes, including the defector-themed My Name is Loh Kiwan. Let’s delve into their performance so far.
13. The 8th Night (12,300,000 hours)
The 8th Night, one of the films pivoted to Netflix during the pandemic, featured a solid cast with Lee Sung Min, Park Hae Joon, and Kim Yoo Jung. Unfortunately, it received disappointing reviews and failed to maintain its buzz.
12. Love and Leashes (14,100,000 hours)
A rare exploration of BDSM in Korean cinema, Love and Leashes tells the story of a man with a secret sexual preference and the woman who discovers his secret. The film faced criticism for not fully embracing its unique subject, ending up as a typical rom-com.
11. Seoul Vibe (19,630,000 hours)
Seoul Vibe follows a car-chasing team’s involvement in a slush fund investigation, featuring a diverse lineup including Yoo Ah In, Ko Kyung Pyo, Lee Kyu Hyung, Park Ju Hyun, and Ong Seong Wu. Despite high expectations, the film was criticized for its lack of polish. It reached 4th place in Netflix’s global TOP 10 movies (non-English) category within three days of release but failed to stay in the rankings long.
10. Believer 2 (26,600,000 hours)
It’s a sequel to the 2018 hit Believer. The movie premiered at the Busan International Film Festival in 2023 but sadly did not meet expectations, achieving modest results despite aggressive promotion.
9. Unlocked (33,090,000 hours)
Based on a novel by Yasutaka Tsutsui, Unlocked is a thriller that received praise for its adaptation, especially Yim Si Wan’s chilling portrayal of a psychopath. Within three days of its release, it quickly reached third place in Netflix’s global TOP 10 movies (non-English) category.
8. 20th Century Girl (34,510,000 hours)
20th Century Girl, leveraging Kim Yoo Jung’s charming image, is a romance film that, despite some criticism over its ending, received overall positive feedback. It secured the 2nd spot in Netflix’s global TOP 10 movies (non-English) category shortly after its release.
7. Yaksha: Ruthless Operations (36,520,000 hours)
Set in China, Yaksha: Ruthless Operations is a spy drama starring Sul Kyung Gu, Park Hae Soo, and Jinyoung. Despite criticisms regarding its plausibility, it quickly climbed to 3rd place in Netflix’s global TOP 10 movies (non-English) category just three days after its debut.
6. Jung_E (39,800,000 hours)
Directed by Yeon Sang Ho of Train to Busan and Hellbound fame, Jung_E is a sci-fi film and the last work of veteran actress Kang Soo Yeon. It was hailed for merging Yeon’s signature melodrama with cyberpunk elements, quickly climbing to 1st place in Netflix’s global TOP 10 movies (non-English) category within three days of its release.
5. Ballerina (50,600,000 hours)
A collaboration between director Lee Chung Hyeon and actress Jeon Jong Seo, who are a real-life couple, Ballerina captivated audiences with its tale of a woman seeking revenge for the loss of her friend. Praised for its thrilling action and stylish direction, it remained in the 1st spot in the global TOP 10 movies (non-English) category on Netflix even in its second week.
4. Space Sweepers (53,340,000 hours)
Space Sweepers became a success story of direct-to-Netflix releases during the pandemic. Though some criticized its dive into melodrama toward the end, the film was generally well-received for its engaging characters and advanced technology. According to FlixPatrol, it shot to 1st place on its release day.
3. Kill Boksoon (63,380,000 hours)
Featuring the collaboration of The Merciless director Byun Sung Hyun and actress Jeon Do Yeon, Kill Boksoon focuses on a woman leading a double life as a mother and a killer, who finds herself in an inevitable confrontation. The film was noted for its unique characters and eye-catching action scenes, reaching 1st place in Netflix’s global TOP 10 movies (non-English) category within three days.
2. Carter (65,390,000 hours)
A gripping action film by The Villainess director Jung Byung Gil and actor Joo Won, Carter captivates from its opening sequence with relentless hand-to-hand combat that doesn’t let up until the credits roll. Despite criticism for its focus on action to the exclusion of almost everything else, it soared to 1st place in the global TOP 10 movies category on Netflix within three days.
1. Badland Hunters (74,600,000 hours)
Marking a blend of the post-apocalyptic genre and Ma Dong Seok’s signature action, Badland Hunters shares a universe with Concrete Utopia and focuses on the survivors’ fight for survival, offering a variety of action-packed scenes. Though criticized for its lackluster narrative, it succeeded at the box office, holding the top spot in Netflix’s global TOP 10 movies (non-English) category for two consecutive weeks.
>> PICK: Top 2023 Netflix Korean Dramas Ranked by Viewing Time
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.
