Buzz
1. Extreme Job
Extreme Job follows the story of five detectives investigating a drug cartel. To go undercover, they take on jobs at a fried chicken restaurant, which unexpectedly becomes a hit due to its special recipe. As the restaurant gains popularity, the undercover mission spirals out of control, leading to numerous unpredictable and comical situations.
Released in 2019, Extreme Job became a massive box office success in South Korea, grossing 91.5 billion KRW (81.6 million USD) on a production budget of 6.5 billion KRW (5.8 million USD). It broke records, reaching over 10 million ticket sales within just 15 days, and by May 2019, it was the second most-watched film in South Korean cinema history.
DETAILS:
Director: Byeong-heon Lee
Starring: Lee Dong-yong, Myoung Gong, Shin Ha-kyun
Duration: 1h 51m
Release Year: 2019
IMDB: 7.1
TOMATOMETER: 82%
AUDIENCE SCORE: 81%
2. The Odd Family: Zombie on Sale
The Odd Family: Zombie on Sale revolves around the Park family, who are already eccentric but become even stranger when they take in a zombie. Instead of being terrified of the creature, the family exploits their new 'member' for financial gain. This leads to a series of hilarious and absurd situations, including a charming romance between the zombie and the youngest daughter of the family.
When you think of zombie films, you might expect action-packed horror, but The Odd Family: Zombie on Sale is a delightful comedy full of funny moments, offering a lighthearted and enjoyable viewing experience.
DETAILS:
Director: Lee Min-jae
Starring: Jong-ryol Choi, Se-ah Jang, Jae-yeong Jeong
Duration: 1h 51m
Release Year: 2019
IMDB: 6.6
TOMATOMETER: 89%
AUDIENCE SCORE: 73%
3. Wonderful Nightmare
What draws you to Wonderful Nightmare is first and foremost the star power of Song Seung Heon and Uhm Jung Hwa. Both are well-known actors who completely step out of their usual glamorous roles to play something completely different. Song Seung Heon portrays Sung Hwan, a clueless husband, living with his 'special' wife.
Yeon Woo, played by Uhm Jung Hwa, is a talented lawyer who unexpectedly dies and gets a second chance at life in a new role as a housewife. Despite never having been married or managing a household, Yeon Woo gradually adjusts and finds joy in her new life.
DETAILS:
Director: Hyo-jin Kang
Starring: Uhm Junghwa, Song Seung-heon, Yoo-mil Park
Duration: 2h 05m
Release Year: 2015
IMDB: 7.1
4. Twenty
Twenty follows the story of three close friends navigating the exciting yet uncertain path of their early twenties. As they grapple with finding their life’s purpose, the film captures the common experiences and concerns of young adulthood: friendship, personal ideals, and relationships with women.
In Twenty, Jung So Min plays the girl who captures the hearts of all three friends: Chi Ho (Kim Woo Bin), Kyung Jae (Kang Ha Neul), and Dong Woo (Junho). However, the actual girlfriend of Chi Ho is portrayed by Lee Yoo Bi, the quirky reporter from the hit drama *Pinocchio*.
DETAILS:
Director: Byeong-heon Lee
Starring: Woo-bin Kim, Jun-Ho Lee, Kang Ha-Neul
Duration: 1h 55m
Release Year: 2015
IMDB: 6.8
5. Sunny
Im Na Mi is a new student at Jinduk All-Girls High School. Whenever she feels anxious, she can't help but speak with a rural accent. One day, Na Mi is bullied by a group of girls, but just in time, another group of girls steps in to defend her. These girls include Chun Hwa, the most principled girl at Jinduk; Jang Mi, obsessed with double eyelids; Jin Hee, a master of curse words; Geum Ok, a literature lover; Bok Hee, who dreams of beauty pageants; and Su Ji, a beautiful and aloof girl. After befriending each other, they form a group called SUNNY, pledging to remain together forever. However, an unexpected accident leads to the group being separated.
25 years later, Im Na Mi is now married with a good husband and a lovely daughter. Yet, her life feels incomplete. One day, by chance, she reunites with Chun Hwa at the hospital. This encounter sparks Na Mi's decision to reconnect with the members of SUNNY. Stepping out of her daily routine, Na Mi embarks on a journey to find her old friends, reliving the pure friendship they once had and rediscovering the happiest moments of her life.
Sunny became the first film of the year to sell five million tickets in South Korea, and it went on to become the second highest-grossing Korean film of the year. By September 20, 2012, it ranked as the 13th highest-grossing film of all time in South Korea. Directors Kang Hyeong-cheol and Nam Na-yeong received Best Director and Best Editing awards at the Grand Bell Awards, while actress Kang So-ra won multiple awards for her portrayal of the teen Ha Chun-hwa.
DETAILS:
Director: Hyeong-Cheol Kang
Starring: Ho-jeong Yu, Shim Eun-kyung, Hee-kyung Jin
Duration: 2h 04m
Release Year: 2011
IMDB: 7.8
6. Scandal Makers
Imagine waking up one day to discover that two strangers are claiming to be your daughter and grandchild. What would you do if, as a young, single man, you suddenly had to care for these unfamiliar faces? This is the premise of Scandal Makers, a comedy about 36-year-old Hyeon Soo, a notorious ladies' man with a seemingly perfect life. But his world is turned upside down when he learns that he has a 22-year-old daughter and a 6-year-old grandson.
While staying with her father, Jeong-Nam participates in a DJ radio station's music program, where she hopes to fulfill her dream. However, her growing fame leads to a scandal for Hyeon-Soo, exposing their situation to the public. Overwhelmed by the scandal, Hyeon-Soo initially kicks Jeong-Nam and Ki-Dong out of his home, but he quickly regrets his decision and sets out to find them. In the end, the family reunites and finds happiness together.
DETAILS:
Director: Hyeong-Cheol Kang
Starring: Tae-Hyun Cha, Park Bo-Young, Il-Kwon Ahn
Duration: 1h 48m
Release Year: 2008
IMDB: 7.2
7. My Sassy Girl
My Sassy Girl, known in Vietnam as The Wild Girl, is a beloved romantic comedy based on a true story written by Ho-sik Kim, recounting his relationship with his girlfriend. The film follows Kyun-woo (played by Cha Tae-hyun), an ordinary college student, whose life takes an unexpected turn when he encounters a drunk woman (played by Jeon Ji-hyun) on a late-night train. She mistakes him for her boyfriend, and, unable to refuse, he reluctantly takes care of her under the curious eyes of the other passengers. As he spends more time with her, Kyun-woo finds himself growing more tolerant of her quirky and unpredictable behavior.
Released in South Korea, My Sassy Girl became a massive success, quickly gaining popularity across East Asia. It became a box-office hit in several countries, including Japan, China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
DETAILS:
Director: Jae-young Kwak
Starring: Tae-Hyun Cha, Jun Ji-hyun, In-mun Kim
Duration: 2h 17m
Release Year: 2001
IMDB: 8.0
8. Eulachacha Waikiki
Eulachacha Waikiki (2018) is a hilarious sitcom about three young men facing their own struggles while trying to make it in the entertainment industry. Kang Dong Goo dreams of becoming a film director but is constantly mocked for his bad luck. Cheon Joon Ki aspires to follow in his father's footsteps and become an actor, though he's only been cast in minor roles. Bong Doo Sik moves to Seoul with hopes of becoming a screenwriter, but things aren’t easy for him either. The three run a guesthouse called Waikiki in Itaewon, which is on the verge of bankruptcy. Their chaotic lives take a turn when a mysterious single mother and her baby show up at their doorstep.
After the massive success of the first season in early 2018, a second season was released just one year later. The show’s humor, witty dialogue, and captivating storylines quickly made it a hit, establishing Eulachacha Waikiki as a staple in Korean television and earning it a devoted fanbase.
DETAILS:
Director: Lee Chang-min
Starring: Yi-Kyeong Lee, Kim Jung-hyun, In-sun Jung
Episodes: 36 episodes
Release Year: 2018 - 2019
IMDB: 8.3
9. Shopping King Louie
Shopping King Louie (also known as The King of Shopping) is a romantic comedy starring Seo In Guk, Nam Ji Hyun, and Yoon Sang Hyun. The story follows Louie, a wealthy heir who suffers from amnesia and spends his life compulsively shopping, unable to remember his past. One day, he crosses paths with Go Bok Shil, a simple and innocent country girl who teaches him that not everything can be bought with money.
This heartwarming and comedic series explores the lives of Louie and Go Bok Shil as they navigate their personal challenges and deal with issues in South Korea’s retail industry. Louie struggles with his memory loss, while Go Bok Shil, who is technologically challenged, helps him find balance. This show marks the first time Nam Ji Hyun plays the leading role in a drama.
DETAILS:
Director: Lee Sang-yeob
Starring: Seo In-Guk, Nam Ji-Hyun, Yoon Sang-Hyun
Episodes: 16
Release Year: 2019
IMDB: 7.5
The Fiery Priest (also known as Hot Blooded Priest) is a thrilling crime drama that brings together three highly contrasting characters to solve a high-profile murder case involving a Catholic priest. The story centers on Kim Hae-Il (played by Kim Nam-Gil), a foul-mouthed and irritable Catholic priest, who teams up with Koo Dae-Young (Kim Sung-Kyun), a shy and reserved detective, and Park Kyung-Sun (Lee Ha-Nee), a sharp, ambitious, and beautiful prosecutor. Together, they work to uncover the truth behind the murder.
Set in 2019, The Fiery Priest quickly became a highly popular miniseries, breaking records for viewership on public broadcasting channels in South Korea. Its success made it one of the most talked-about TV dramas of the year.
DETAILS:
Director: Myoungwoo Lee
Starring: Nam-gil Kim, Kim Seong-gyoon, Lee Hanee
Episodes: 40
Release Year: 2019
IMDB: 8.2
