Korean movies are stealing the spotlight on a global scale, and more and more international fans are interested in the Korean film industry. So, we're bringing to you the latest news from Chungmuro - the Korean Hollywood, also known as Hallyuwood. Check out the hottest movies at the Korean box office, what the upcoming Korean movie releases are, what's hot in Chungmuro, and more!

 

Top Korean Movies At The Box Office

Over the last month, the top 2 Korean films at the domestic box office were as follows, according to Cine21:

 

1. "Exhuma"

The K-Occult film on everyone's radar these days - "Exhuma" - retained the top spot. Starring Choi MinSik, Kim GoEun, Yoo HaeJin, and Lee DoHyun, "Exhuma" continues to break records and set new ones, with a total of 10,512,767 admissions to date. "Exhuma" was released on February 22.

CineFact: "Exhuma" was not just the most-watched film among Korean releases but also international releases in Korea in March.

 

2. "Troll Factory"

Starring Son SukKu, Kim SungCheol, Kim DongHwi, and Hong Kyung, "Troll Factory" was the second most-watched Korean movie at the domestic box office in March 2024, with a total of 194,541 admissions to date. The film was released on March 27.

 

Upcoming Korean Movies

There are a number of Korean movies coming up in April. Among them, here are our picks for the top 3 Korean movies that you should look forward to!

 

1. "SEWOL: Years In The Wind"

In April 2024, ten years will have passed since the terrible Sewol Ferry Tragedy. "SEWOL: Years In The Wind" is a documentary made by Moon JongTaek - a father who lost his daughter, JiSeong, in the tragedy, alongside documentary director Kim HwanTae. The film consists of footage by Moon JongTaek himself as he documents the lives of the bereaved families throughout the last ten years and emphasizes national and individual responsibility towards creating a safer society for all. It is also aimed at raising awareness about the tragedy among young people who may not be aware.

If there's one Korean film you watch in April, we hope it will be this one. "SEWOL: Years In The Wind" releases on April 3 in Korea.

 

2. "YuMi's Cells: The Movie"

The hugely popular webtoon turned blockbuster K-Drama is now coming to you as a movie! This time, YuMi's cells are the main characters, so the movie is entirely animated. Watch your favorite cell characters from the webtoon and K-Drama return and fall in love with them all over again! This film will follow YuMi as she prepares for her writing contest after quitting her job to become a writer.

"YuMi's Cells: The Movie" releases on April 3.

 

3. "Again 1997"

"Again 1997" is a Korean movie that tells the story of a young man named WooSeok, who wanted to be an actor, but because of a scar he got on his face, he ended up making a living as a stuntman. Now, he is the breadwinner of his family but not a great father or husband. After a fateful encounter with a monk, he gets into an accident and travels back in time to his high school days, before he got the scar. With this second chance at life, WooSeok is determined to do things right.

"Again 1997", starring Cho ByeongKyu, Han EunSu, iKON Ju-ne, Choi HuiSeung, and more, releases on April 10.

That concludes this month's Chungmuro report! Which Korean movies are you excited about? Tell us on X!

If you're a fan of K-Dramas and Korean webtoons, we have some good news for you. There's a brand new addition to the extensive list of webtoons getting adapted into Korean dramas and this time, it is the popular fantasy/slice-of-life/romantic comedy webtoon "Time Share House". The announcement of this adaptation is a part of an investment agreement ceremony by the 16th Busan Content Market (BCM) and the project will be helmed by 21 Studio.

Originally by HONG & GilDong (art) and JO & JooHee (story), "Time Share House" tells the story of a lovely young woman Yoon DoAh, who has just landed her dream job as a writer at a broadcasting company and is more than elated to begin a new chapter of her life. Little did she know, her parents are also looking forward to a new beginning because they are getting divorced. Upon finding out that both of her parents have lovers of their own, DoAh decides to find a new place to live. Luckily, she stumbles upon an affordable share house but there's something off about the place.

One of her fellow tenants is Lord Lotus, a Joseon Dynasty scholar from the year 1777 and the other is called Rascal, a prim and proper lovesick "modern boy" from 1930 who thinks he's the most handsome boy in Gyeongseong (now, Seoul). If that wasn't strange enough, we have the suspicious landlord who prides himself on running the cheapest share house in all of history. He calls it, the 'Time Share House'.

As DoAh steps into the Time Share House, her fate becomes intertwined with those of the tenants and all of their lives are changed forever. One of the most interesting aspects of the story is the way the four incredible main characters come together, giving us an essence of a historical drama and a modern comedy, all in one. Let's get to know the webtoon a little more!

Scholar Lotus is a little uptight, as expected of a Joseon Lord but he is also caring and courteous. He was advised by a fortune-teller to leave his birthplace and find a house that will protect him. On the other hand, Rascal lives for pleasure and is recklessly indulgent but is free-spirited and means well. He was told by a shaman that if he wishes to live, he must find "that" house. Both were met with our mysterious landlord at the right time in the right place and decided to reside in the Time Share House.

Yoon DoAh describes herself as an ordinary person from an ordinary family who will live an ordinary life. However, she is exceptionally talented, her visuals are rather extraordinary and her bright and feisty personality is simply delightful. DoAh's first day at work is hectic but it brings her satisfaction, which leads to the glint of hope that her life might not be typical after all. She goes home expecting a celebration and a surprise announcement but nothing could have prepared her for her parents' divorce.

Soon, her father leaves to lead his own life and her mother welcomes her new lover in. What's worse is that her father is in a relationship with her best friend's mother, which leads to their friendship breaking up. As DoAh hits rock bottom, she dreams of a house, and the next day, she decides to move out. As destiny would have it, she sees a lucrative advertisement for a share house and finally encounters the landlord of the Time Share House.

Finally, we have our charming landlord, an otherworldly being who marches to the beat of his own drum. He is determined to bring DoAh in as a tenant and doesn't quite let his other residents leave either. He is ethereally gorgeous with white hair and clear eyes and goes by the name that best defines him, "Landlord". In a sense, he knows everything and nothing at the same time. Landlord is protective yet gentle and endearing. His quirks are adorable, to say the least, and it won't take you long to fall in love with him.

You can read the webtoon in English here.

At the time of writing, there has been no official announcement about the casting for the K-Drama adaptation of "Time Share House". With the characters in mind, we picked 12 actors/idols who we think would be perfect in the roles of the main characters: Yoon DoAh, Landlord, Scholar Lotus and Rascal.

Vote for your picks in the polls down below!

 

Yoon DoAh

 

 

Landlord

 

 

Scholar Lotus

 

 

Rascal

 

 

Note: The aim of the vote is for Kpopmap readers to share their opinion about their preference for the cast. It is not affecting the cast of the production team.

If you are interested in other drama adaptations of webtoon and their dream cast, you can check out our previous articles: “The Moon That Rises In The Day”, “Love Alarm", “Something About Us”, “Cohabit That Is Knocking Me Over With A Feather”, “A Good Day To Be A Dog”, “Lookism”, "The Remaried Empress", "Gorae Byul - The Gyeongseong Mermaid", "There Must Be Happy Endings", "Now I'm Taking A Break From Dating", "Weak Hero", "Delusion", "Yumi's Cells Season 2", "The Girl Downstairs", "Vampire Chef", "Back To You", "The 26th Murder" and more.

Are you excited for "Time Share House"? Share your thoughts with Kpopmap in the comments section down below!

 

Hello everyone and welcome to the eighth edition of our weekly "Top 10 Instagram Updates By K-Drama Actors". You can read our previous selection by clicking here. This article will be showcasing some of our favorite updates and content shared on Instagram by K-Drama actors. From adorable selfies to drama announcements, teasers, ads, chill time with family and friends, magazine photoshoots, etc. At the end of the article, we would be taking a fun poll asking you which actor had the best update this week.

Here are our top 10 picks of the best Instagram update by K-Drama actors for the 1st week of May, 2022.

 

1. Jung HoYeon

The "Squid Game" actress reminds viewers that she is also a supermodel as she shows off her chic poses while looking absolutely stunning in this video update.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Hoyeon (@hoooooyeony)

 

2. Suzy

Regarded as one of the most beautiful actresses in Korea, her iconic beauty leaves us speechless and ready to purchase her skincare products.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by 숮이 💄💅👡👠🎀👙🌂👗🌂🎀💋💌 (@skuukzky)

 

3. Kim SungCheol

The perfect representation of the word "dapper". Kim SungCheol looks absolutely irresistible in a suit as he entrances us with his deeply soulful eyes and masculine aura.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by 김성철 (@sungcheol2)

 

4. Ahn BoHyun

Actor Ahn BoHyun would make the perfect James Bond as he embodies some of the features of the character, an alluring sex appeal, looking dapper in a suit, a fit physique, and a love for whiskey.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by 안보현 (@bohyunahn)

 

5. Jung HaeIn

Is this what heaven looks like?  We might be ready to take a quick trip to heaven as his visuals are certainly to die for.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by 정해인 (@holyhaein)

 

6. Lee SooHyuk

The actor has been tagged the ending fairy of the series "Tomorrow" for due reasons. Probably the most handsome Grim Reaper in K-Drama land, his stricken visuals would make anyone gladly follow him to the afterlife.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by @leesoohyuk

 

7. Lee SunBin

Actress Lee SunBin is the quintessential girl next door as she serves up a mix of sexy and cute in these pictures for 1st Look magazine.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by 이선빈(이진경) actress (@sunbin_eyesmag)

 

8. Lomon

This is your pov on a date with heartthrob actor Lomon. What are you ordering? P.S he is not on the menu.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Lomon 991111 (@lomon991111)

 

9. Kim Beom

Along with fans, we simply cannot get over how adorable Kim Beom looks in these pictures. His timeless visuals add to his ever so bright and youthful energy making him even more charming in these boyfriend material-type pictures.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by 김범 kimbum (@k.kbeom)

 

10. Son WooHyeon

Are you excited for "To My star" season 2? Well, we are, and the K-Drama actor keeps enticing fans with his striking looks as he gears up to once again steal the hearts of BL lovers.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by 손우현 (@sonwoohyeon7)