Edited by Hwang Hong Sun
Translated by Kim Hoyeun
The Busan International Film Festival’s popular “On Screen” section has become a showcase for some of the most anticipated series headed to major streaming platforms including Netflix and Disney Plus. This year’s lineup included three high-profile titles that drew particular attention. After watching all three at the festival, here is how they stack up.
The Remarried Empress
Of all the titles screening in Busan’s “On Screen” section this year, The Remarried Empress may have arrived with the greatest mix of anticipation and concern.
The Disney Plus original is based on the hugely popular web novel of the same name and unfolds in a fictional kingdom, following the tangled relationships between an emperor, an empress and the people around them.
With its medieval European-inspired palace setting, one of the biggest questions was whether an all-Korean cast could make the world feel natural rather than overly theatrical. Given the source material’s heavy fantasy elements, grounding the story was always going to be a challenge.
Those concerns are not entirely unfounded in the opening episodes. Hearing Korean actors use European-style names while dressed in elaborate gowns and royal costumes takes some adjustment.
But the production design and costumes quickly erase much of that initial awkwardness.
Visually, The Remarried Empress is striking enough to immediately feel like an awards contender in categories such as production design, costume and makeup. The cast also commits fully to material that could easily tip into camp. Performances that might feel exaggerated in another series instead help establish the heightened reality of this world.
At the center of it all is Shin Mina as Empress Navier, whose screen presence is difficult to look away from. She brings a regal presence to the role that is further enhanced by a series of lavish costumes.
Lee Jong Suk adds charm as Prince Heinrey, who can transform into a bird through magic, while Ju Ji Hoon and Lee Se Young fully commit to characters whose actions are bound to frustrate viewers. Together, the cast makes even the series’ more heightened elements feel convincing.
From Episode 3 onward, the four-way romantic conflict moves into full gear. The series takes the kind of heightened, emotionally messy relationship drama Korean television does especially well and dresses it in an elegant European fantasy setting.
With lavish visuals, a deft balance of high melodrama and elegance, and characters that feel lifted straight from the source material, The Remarried Empress has the makings of another major Disney Plus Korean hit after Moving and Made in Korea. Its biggest surprise at Busan was how thoroughly it exceeded expectations. (8/10)
Dead-End Job
Netflix’s Dead-End Job follows a man pushed to the brink who takes on a series of high-paying part-time jobs, only to find himself trapped in brutal situations where his life is at risk.
Set to premiere October 30th, the series feels like one of Netflix’s big Halloween-season titles. Busan screened the first three episodes of the eight-part series, and they were intensely entertaining and immersive. The easiest way to describe it may be “Squid Game as a horror series about part-time jobs.”
Its biggest strength is the way each episode twists an ordinary job into something bizarre, violent and fantasy-like. Watching the protagonist survive each extreme situation feels almost like clearing one stage of a game after another.
The jobs themselves are also varied and memorable: a convenience store night shift governed by strange survival rules reminiscent of Napolitan horror stories, a driving job built around a clown syndrome that brings It to mind, and a creepy milk delivery job in an apartment complex that feels like something out of the Backrooms.
Despite maintaining the dark atmosphere expected of horror and thriller genres, the series also finds unexpected humor in Lee Jae Wook‘s frightened reactions, odd behavior and dialogue.
The episodes shown at Busan end just as the world begins to expand and another character joins the dangerous job alongside Lee’s protagonist, leaving things at a frustratingly tantalizing point.
If the series can maintain this level of quality through the second half, it has the potential to generate major buzz through its strong central concept, much like Squid Game or Teach You a Lesson. (8/10)
The Blue Road
International co-productions and overseas location shoots can sometimes suffer from differences in production style or uneven chemistry between actors. The Blue Road, however, quickly puts those concerns to rest.
Instead, it shows how a Korea-Japan collaboration can actually strengthen a project.
Based on the manga of the same name, the series is directed by Han Jun Hee, who previously directed and executive produced the D.P. and Weak Hero series.
Set during the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, it follows Korean and Japanese detectives as they investigate a string of bizarre serial murders taking place in both countries.
The premise could easily have become a conventional buddy cop story, but Son Suk Ku and Eita Nagayama give the series much more personality.
Son plays Kim Seok, a cool and sharp Korean detective, while Nagayama plays Inose, an experienced and passionate Japanese detective. The two initially clash because of misunderstandings, but gradually develop strong chemistry as they recognize each other’s commitment to the case and begin working together. Their dogged pursuit of the truth, combined with bursts of forceful action, keeps the series engaging throughout.
Son once again creates a compelling character with little more than a line delivery or a facial expression, following memorable performances in The Roundup and My Liberation Notes. Nagayama also provides a steady center to the series, making the Korea-Japan collaboration feel especially natural.
The third episode ends with the appearance of a shocking character who visibly stirred the entire theater. It is a strong cliffhanger that sharply raises anticipation for what comes next. (9/10)
Editor Hwang Hong Sun: A Korean movie buff who wishes that the warm messages in good works will warm up this world at least by one degree Fahrenheit.
In the meantime, watch trending K-dramas for free on Amasian TV.
