New Korean movies in 2021
The pandemic may have interfered with the filming of movies last year, but this year, the Korean movie industry is on a roll. Companies have been announcing multiple movie releases with star-studded casts. Here are 11 Korean movies in 2021 to look forward to.
1. The Box 더 박스
Image credit: Daum
Release Date: 24th March 2021
Main Cast:
- Park Chan-yeol
- Jo Dal-hwan
Genre: Drama
EXO’s Chanyeol plays the lead role, an aspiring singer who can only sing with a box over his head. He meets an ambitious music producer who only thinks about success, and the 2 of them go on a busking trip.
EXO-Ls are eagerly awaiting the release of this movie as it will be Chanyeol’s first lead role on the big screen.
2. Hypnosis 최면
Image credit: Daum
Release Date: 24th March 2021
Main Cast:
- David Lee
- Jo Hyeon
- Kim Do-hoon
- Nam Min-woo
- Kim Nam-woo
Genre: Horror
Do-hyeon, a university student, gets introduced to hypnosis by Jin-ho, a transfer student.
After getting hypnotised by Professor Choi, Do-hyeon and his friends begin to see horrifying illusions of unknown memories, and they try to find an explanation for the mysterious memories.
This is a movie that will appeal to fans of horror.
3. SEOBOK 서복
Image credit: Daum
Release Date: 15th April 2021
Main Cast:
- Gong Yoo
- Park Bo-gum
Genre: Action, Science Fiction
Former intelligence agent Gi-hyeon was trying to recuperate from a past traumatic event when he receives a final mission that he cannot reject – oversee the transport of a genetically cloned human named “Seo Bok”.
An unexpected attack occurs and both manage to escape. Seo Bok sees the world for the first time and wants to explore, but Gi-hyeon wants to quickly end the mission. Gradually, the 2 of them develop a heartwarming friendship while on the run from pursuers who want to get their hands on Seo Bok.
4. Salvation 구원
Image credit: Daum
Release Date: April 2021
Main Cast:
- Kim Dae-geon
- Lee Sang-in
- Go Gwan-jae
Genre: Thriller
A woman named Jin-sook was discovered dead in a lake and the police deemed it a suicide. But Choi Seok-jae, a detective, is unconvinced and decides to investigate the case alone.
One night, he gets into a car accident and becomes unconscious. When he awakes, he finds himself in a strange prayer hall. He sees people praying fervently for salvation and finds out that a man called Ban Hyo-jung leads them.
The shocking truth about Jin-sook’s death comes to light as Choi Seok-jae digs deeper and finds out more about the place he is in, as well as the strange rituals held by the people visiting the prayer halls.
5. Dust-Man 더스트맨
Image credit: Daum
Release Date: 7th April 2021
Main Cast:
- Woo Ji-hyeon
- Shim Dal-gi
Genre: Drama
Tae-san is a homeless man who had no will to live until he discovered dust painting.
He leaves his dust paintings on surfaces such as windows and doors. Gradually, his dust paintings gain public recognition and he gets dubbed the “Dust-Man”.
6. The Witch: Part 2 마녀2
The Witch: Part 1
Image credit: Daum
Release Date: 2021
Main Cast:
- Shin Si-ah
- Kim Da-mi
- Jo Min-su
- Jin Goo
- Park Eun-bi
- Lee Jong-suk
Genre: Mystery, Action, Science Fiction
This movie is the sequel of The Witch: Part 1, which was released in 2018. In Part 1, the main character, Ja-yoon, finds out that she’s different – she’s not a regular human being. This leads her to a secret facility where she learns the truth about herself.
Shin Si-ah, a rookie actress, will play the lead role in The Witch: Part 2. Lee Jong-suk is a notable addition to the cast as he was recently discharged from the military – this will be one of his first appearances on the big screen after completing his military service.
The synopsis for The Witch: Part 2 has yet to be released.
7. Soulmate 소울메이트
Image credit: Daum
Release Date: 2021
Main Cast:
- Kim Da-mi
- Jeon So-ni
- Byeon Woo-seok
Genre: Drama, Romance
Soulmate is the Korean adaptation of the 2016 Chinese movie Soul Mate. In the Chinese version, the movie is about 2 childhood friends who fell for the same man.
The Korean adaptation will also tell the story of 2 friends who met when they were 13 years old, and the course of their friendship over the years.
The full synopsis has yet to be released.
8. Wonderland 원더랜드
Image adapted from: @parkb0gum, @skuukzky and @epigram_official
Release Date: 2021
Main Cast:
- Park Bo-gum
- Bae Suzy
- Gong Yoo
- Tang Wei
- Choi Woo-shik
- Jung Yu-mi
Genre: Drama, Romance, Science-Fiction
An A.I.-simulated world called “Wonderland” enables people to reconnect with loved ones whom they cannot interact with in real life. In the story, a woman requests to see her comatose boyfriend, and a man asks to meet his deceased wife.
The movie is in talks to be released on Netflix worldwide.
9. Concrete Utopia 콘크리트 유토피아
Image adapted from: JTBC Drama and @bn_sj2013
Release Date: 2021
Main Cast:
- Park Seo-jun
- Park Bo-young
- Lee Byung-hun
Genre: Thriller, Drama
Seoul is in ruins after a strong earthquake decimated the city, and survivors start to gather in the last remaining apartment, Hwang Goong Apartment.
The full synopsis has yet to be released.
10. Dream 드림
Image credit: Daum
Release Date: 2021
Main Cast:
- Park Seo-jun
- IU
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Top football player Hong-dae, played by Park Seo-joon, finds himself coaching a team of homeless people for the Homeless World Cup after being entangled in an assault case.
IU will be playing Lee So-min, a producer who wishes to document the Homeless World Cup in hopes of finding journalistic success.
11. The Pirates: Goblin Flag 해적: 도깨비 깃발
Pirates: Bandits Going to the Sea
Image credit: Daum
Release Date: 2021
Main Cast:
- Kang Ha-neul
- Han Hyo-joo
- Lee Kwang-soo
- Kwon Sang-woo
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
The Pirates: Goblin Flag is the sequel to The Pirates: Bandits Going to the Sea, which was released in 2014. A team of pirates goes on a mission to recover the last treasure of the Goryeo royal family, which disappeared after the Joseon Dynasty was founded.
EXO-Ls will be elated to know that another EXO member will be appearing on the big screen this year as Se-hun will be taking on a role as one of the pirates.
Korean movies in 2021
We have high hopes for these 11 new Korean movies in 2021 even though not all of the release dates have been confirmed, and not all the synopses are out yet.
There should be more announcements and details of more new Korean movie releases in 2021 in the coming months, so keep an eye out and check back regularly for updates.
Also check out:
- 20 best Korean horror movies
- 21 Korean movies to watch while social distancing
- 21 best Korean dramas from the last 20 years
- 20 underrated Korean dramas
- 14 Korean school dramas
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