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!

On February 22, 2024, Choi MinSik, Kim GoEun, Yoo HaeJin, and Lee DoHyun's horror movie "Exhuma" was released in South Korean theatres.

"Exhuma" tells the story of a shaman duo HwaRim (Kim GoEun) and BongGil (Lee DoHyun), who are called to LA for a case where they realize the unnerving presence of a deceased ancestor among them, causing a series of paranormal events. However, when his ominous grave is exhumed, a vicious darkness is unleashed.

"Exhuma" comes from the director of horror classics like "Svaha: The Sixth Finger" and "The Priests", Jang JaeHyeon, and has been highly anticipated among audiences both in South Korea and abroad.

As of February 23, based on weekly data from Cine21, "Exhuma" is already the third most-watched movie at the Korean box office just one day after its release.

The film has already attracted a total of 336,200 moviegoers to the theatres, which is a huge number, to say the least.

"Exhuma" has already broken the record for the highest opening score of a film released in South Korea in 2024!

We are expecting the box office ranking of "Exhuma" to climb even higher.

After all, with the brilliant cast and the extraordinary writing and direction of Jang JaeHyeon, we knew we had a masterpiece on our hands.

So, of course, "Exhuma" exceeded expectations and is a roaring success already!

Prior to the theatrical release of "Exhuma", it was selected in the Forum section at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, where the film had its world premiere earlier this month.

While news about "Exhuma" getting a global release has not been announced yet, given the domestic success and critical acclaim the film is receiving, global fans may be able to watch the movie soon, hopefully.

Like all good things, we just need to wait.

Are you looking forward to watching "Exhuma"?

Most of the Korean actors have Instagram and some have an impressive amount of followers! Some have been using Instagram actively while some do not really keep it updated. Some actors also just created their Instagram recently and are still gathering followers.

Here are the most followed Korean actors on Instagram and then a rough ranking of over 100 actors' Instagram accounts. If you are not following your favorite actors' Instagram, it is time to do so.

All data were updated on February 22 (latest update), 2024, at 3 PM KST. We regularly update as the numbers keep on increasing and the ranking is changing.

Important Notice: only a few acting-dols have been included according to our criteria (January 2022) made with readers. Check them down the page. 

 

1. ASTRO's Cha EunWoo - 42.6m followers - @eunwo.o_c

Note: Cha EunWoo has over 2 main lead roles including "Rookie Historian Goo HaeRyung" and "True Beauty".

 

2. Lee MinHo - 34.9m followers - @actorleeminho

 

3. Lee JongSuk - 26.5m followers - @jongsuk0206

 

4. Ji ChangWook - 26.8m followers - @jichangwook

 

5. Park SeoJun - 25.9m followers - @bn_sj2013

 

6. EXO's ChanYeol - 24.1m followers - @real__pcy

Note: ChanYeol was the lead actor in the movie "The Box" and had supporting roles in "Missing 9" and "Memories of the Alhambra".

 

7. Song Kang - 21.1m followers - @songkang_b

 

8. Hwang InYoup - 19.4m followers - @hi_high_hiy

 

9. Nam JooHyuk - 19m followers - @skawngur

 

10. Lee DongWook by his agency - 18.1m followers - @leedongwook_official

 

11. T.O.P - 17.7m followers - @choi_seung_hyun_tttop

Note: T.O.P was the lead actor in the movies "Commitment", "Tazza: The Hidden Card", and more.

 

12. Kim SooHyun - 14.5m followers - @soohyun_k216

 

13. Ahn HyoSeop - 13.6m followers - @imhyoseop

 

14. Park HyungSik - 12.4m followers - @phs1116

Note: Park HyungSik was the lead actor in "Strong Girl BongSoon", "Happiness", and more.

 

15. Song JoongKi by his agency - 11.9m followers - @hi_songjoongki

 

16. Jung HaeIn - 11.3m followers - @holyhaein

 

17. EXO's SuHo - 11.1m followers - @kimjuncotton

Note: SuHo was the lead actor in the drama "Rich Man" and the movie "One Way Trip", among other projects.

 

18. Wi HaJun - 10.8m followers - @wi__wi__wi

 

19. Lee DoHyun - 9.8m followers - @ldh_sky

 

20. SHINee's Key - 9.8m followers - @bumkeyk

Note: Key was the lead actor in the drama "The Guardians" and had supporting roles in the drama "Drinking Solo" and the movie "Hit-and-Run Squad".

 

21. Kim SeonHo - 9.8m followers - @seonho__kim

 

22. GOT7's JinYoung - 9.6m followers - @jinyoung_0922jy

Note: JinYoung was the lead actor in "He Is Psychometric", "The Devil Judge", and more.

 

23. Kim MinGue - 9.2m followers -  @mingue.k

 

24. Choi WooShik - 9m followers - @dntlrdl

 

25. SUPER JUNIOR's SiWon - 8.8m followers - @siwonchoi

Note: SiWon was the lead actor in "Revolutionary Love", "My Fellow Citizens!", and more.

 

26. SUPER JUNIOR's DongHae - 7.1m followers - @leedonghae

Note: Donghae was the lead actor in "Miss Panda and Mr. Hedgehog", "Oh! Young-shim", and more.

 

27. 2PM's JunHo - 7.1m followers - @le2jh

Note: JunHo was the lead actor in "Wok of Love", "The Red Sleeve", etc

 

28. Kim Beom - 6.9m followers - @k.kbeom

 

29. RoWoon - 6.7m followers- @ewsbdi

Note: RoWoon was the lead actor in "Extraordinary You", "She Would Never Know", and more.

 

30. Lee JoonGi - 6.7m followers - @actor_jg

 

31. Hwang MinHyun - 6.5m followers -@optimushwang

Note: Hwang MinHyun was the lead actor in the drama "Live On" and "Alchemy of Souls" (Parts 1 and 2).

 

32. Lee JaeWook - 6.5m followers - @jxxvvxxk

 

33. Lomon - 6.4m followers - @lomon991111

 

34. Ji Soo - 6.3 m followers -@actor_jisoo

 

35. Woo DoHwan - 5.8m followers - @wdohwan

 

36. Choi HyunWook - 5.3m followers - @_choiiii__

 

37. Kim WooBin - 5.1m followers -@____kimwoobin

 

38. Kim YoungDae - 5m followers- @youngdae0302

 

Here are more actors' Instagram followers numbers and accounts.

Over 4m followers

Lee KwangSoo (@masijacoke850714), Yeo JinGoo (@yeojin9oo), Yoon ChanYoung (@yooncy1), Lee SeungGi (@leeseunggi.official), Lee JungJae (@from_jjlee), Park JiHoon (@0529.jihoon.ig) [Park JiHoon was the lead actor in "Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency" and "At a Distance, Spring is Green"], Lee SooHyuk (@leesoohyuk), CNBLUE's Kang MinHyuk (@mr_kanggun) [Kang MinHyuk was the lead actor in the drama "Hospital Ship" and the movie "The Princess and the Matchmaker"], Seo InGuk (@seo_cccc), Gong Yoo (@gongyoo_official), Park BoGum (@bogummy), Byeon WooSeok (@byeonwooseok), Ahn BoHyun (@bohyunahn)

 

Over 3m followers

Ahn JaeHyun (@aagbanjh), Ong SeongWu (@osw_onge) [Ong SeongWu was the lead actor in "At Eighteen" and "More Than Friends"], BTOB's Yook SungJae (@yook_can_do_it) [Yook SungJae was the lead actor in "Who Are You: School 2015", "Mystic Pop-up Bar", etc], Ryu JunYeol (@ryusdb), Kim MyungSoo (@kim_msl) [Kim MyungSoo was the lead actor in "Angel's Last Mission: Love", "Royal Secret Agent", etc], Kim JongKook (@kjk76), Jang KiYong (@juanxkui), Kwak DongYeon (@kwakdongyeon0), Jung IlWoo (@jilwww), SHINee's MinHo (@choiminho_1209) [MinHo was the lead actor in movies "Derailed", "The Battle of Jangsari", and more], Seo KangJoon (@seokj1012), Lee HyunWoo (@hihyunwoo), 2PM's TaecYeon (@taecyeonokay) [TaecYeon was the lead actor in "The Game: Towards Zero", "Secret Royal Inspector & Joy", etc], EXO's D.O. (@d.o.hkyungsoo) [D.O. was the lead actor in "100 Days My Prince" and "Bad Prosecutor"]

 

Over 2m followers

CNBLUE's Jung YongHwa (@jyheffect0622) [Jung YongHwa was the lead actor in "Heartstrings", "Sell Your Haunted House", and more], Lee HongKi (@skullhong12) [Lee HongKi was the lead actor in "Bride of the Century", "Modern Farmer" and more], Jin Goo (@actor_jingoo), Song IlGook (@songilkook), Yoo AhIn (@hongsick), Park HaeSoo (@haesoopark_official), JinYoung (@jinyoung0423) [JinYoung was the lead actor in the movie "The Dude in Me", the drama "Police University" and more], Kim MinJae (@real.be), TVXQ's YunHo (@yunho2154) [YunHo was the lead actor in "Heading to the Ground", "Meloholic", etc], Kim HyunJoong (@hyunjoong860606) [Kim HyunJoong was the lead actor in "Boys Over Flowers", "Playful Kiss", etc], Kang TaeOh (@kto940620), Bae InHyuk (@inhyuk_bb), Yoo YeonSeok (@yoo_yeonseok), Lee JeHoon (@leejehoon_official), Yoo InSoo (@k.a_innsoo), Kim JaeJoong (@jj_1986_jj) [Kim JaeJoong was the lead actor in "Triangle", "Manhole", etc], Jo ByungGyu (@bk_arta), VIXX's N (@achahakyeon) [N or Cha HakYeon acted in "Tunnel", "Ms. Perfect", "Familar Wife", "Children of Nobody", "Mine", "Bad and Crazy", etc], RyeoUn (@_ryeoun)

 

Over 1m followers

Hong JongHyun (@hjonghyun), Sung Hoon (@sunghoon1983), Kim YoungKwang (@aksakfn12), Kim DongHee (@kim_d.he), NamKoong Min (@min_namkoong), Highlight's Yoon DooJoon (@beeeestdjdjdj) [Yoon DooJoon was the lead actor in "Radio Romance", "Let's Eat 3", etc], Lee SangYeob (@sangyeob), Ji Sung (@justin_jisung), Kim MinGi (@mingi_1122), Choi JinHyuk (@real_jinhyuk), Kim JungHyun (@jhkim0405), Song SeungHeon (@songseungheon1005), Choi TaeJoon (@actorctj), Gong Myung (@0myoung_0526), Im SiWan (@yim_siwang) [Im SiWan was the lead actor in "Misaeng: Incomplete Life", "Strangers from Hell", etc], Kim DoWan (@kimdwan_), Ham SungMin (@hsm_0314_vv), Chae JongHyeop (@chaejh_), Kim JaeUck (@jaeuck.kim), Nam YoonSu (@nam_yoonsu), Heo SungTae (@heosungtae), Kim SungCheol (@sungcheol2), Go KyungPyo (@kopular), Jo WooJae (@ophen28), Lee YiKyung (@luvlk89), Kim JiHun (@jiraishin99), Moon SangMin (@_sangmxn_), Kim JiHun (@jiraishin99), Shin SeungHo (@seungho__shin), Jung GunJoo (@jrjswn), Lee ShinYoung (@leesin_y), Jung KyungHo (@jstar_allallj), Kim HyunJin (@pat8mat), VICTON's ByungChan (@b__yccn) [ByungChan was the lead actor in "Live On" and "The King's Affection"], Highlight's Lee GiGwang (@gttk0000) [GiGwang was the lead actor in "Lovely Horribly" and "Circle"], Kim JaeWon (@rlawodnjs_), Lee TaeRi (@tae_rii_), Na InWoo (@10042n00), Zo InSung (@zoinsung_official),

 

Over 500k followers

Yoon HyunMin (@yoonhyunmin), Shin SungRok (@shin_sung_rok), Joo Won (@zu.won_moon.jun.won), INFINITE's SungYeol (@sungyeol_827) [SungYeol was the lead actor in "Hi! School: Love On" and "Love Returns"], Kim DongJun (@super_d.j) [Kim DongJun was the lead actor in the movie "A Way Station", the drama "More than Friends", and more], Lee TaeHwan (@leetaehwan0221), Ju JiHoon (@_jujihoon), Jang GeunSuk (@_asia_prince_jks), UKISS's Jun (@real_2junyoung) [Jun or Lee JunYoung was the lead actor in "Imitation", "Let Me Be Your Knight", and more], Im JuHwan (@uhwan__lim), Nam DaReum by his mother (@namdareum_mom), Lee TaeVin (@taevin.lee), Yoon JongHoon (@yoonjongactor_official), Kim JaeYoung (@darealkjy), Im JaeHyuk (@jhyuk.im), Ahn SeungGyun (@tmdrbs782), Son SangYeon (@02s_sy), Bae HyeonSeong (@baehyeonseong_), Choi SiHun (@choi_hun2), Park JungWoo (@jjung_woo_), Choo YoungWoo (@cu.young), Lee JongWon (@wonjong_), Park SungHoon (@boxabum), Yoon SeoBin (@seobin.1214), Shin JaeHa (@shin_jae_ha), Park JiBin (@impactorpjb), Choi MinYeong (@choi_minyeong), Kim SuGyeom (@su_gyeom_), Seo JiHoon (@jihux), Ahn JaeHong (@aahnjaehong), Lee ChanHyeong (@nakktaa_), Lee JungHa (@jungha.km), Yang SeJong (@bell.ysj), Yoo SeungHo (@dandyoo93_official), etc.

 

Over 250k followers

Lee HoWon (@isayhousayya) [Lee HoWon or Hoya was the lead actor in the drama "Reply 1997", the movie "HIYA", etc], Yoon ShiYoon (@moa_ent), Bong TaeGyu (@taegyu_bong), Um KiJoon (@werther777), Kang Hui (@kanghui_), Han GiChan (@han_gi_chan), Song GeonHee (@songgeonhee), Sung Jun (@thuggyduck), Lee WonKeun (@lilyjardin), Jang EuiSoo (@jesoo122), Han SeJin (@ahoi_ing), Yoo Jun (@yyjjun_xx), Lee SaeOn (@leesaeon), Ki DoHun (@kidohun), Song JaeRim (@jaelim_song), Soon WooHyun (@sonwoohyeon7), Kim KangMin (@______kangman), Kang InSoo (@insoo_casper), Jung GaRam (@rram_iiii), Kang YouSeok (@youseok_), Lee JungJun (@right_jun_), Ryu KyungSoo (@ryurudtn), Park HeeSoon (@park_hee_soon), Kim NamGil (@namgildaero), Yoon HyunSoo (@hyvn_soo), etc.

 

No Instagram

Kang DongWon, Won Bin, Yang SeJong, Hyun Bin, Lee SeoJin, Jo JungSuk, Lee JangWoo, Yoon KyeSang, Shin HaKyun, and more have no Instagram.

Yoon KyunSang and Park HaeJin accounts are no longer available.

So JiSub (@soganzi_51), Jang DongYoon (@dongyoon_0712), and Kang HaNeul (@kanghaneul_official) have Instagram too.

 

Acting-dols criteria (January 2022): 

Due to the huge number of idols in the acting field, we have tried to limit the list to idols genuinely active in acting and not to all the idols acting. At Kpopmap, we always prioritize the opinions of our readers first. That is why these criteria have been made out of readers' opinions. We held a poll (here) and we opened an open discussion on Reddit (here). You've asked us to be stricter in our criteria and so here are the new rules.

. In a K-Drama, Netflix Original drama, or a movie: 

• Two lead roles (was clearly one of the main characters)

or

• One lead role and 2 supporting roles

or

• More than 4 supporting roles

. Guest roles can't be considered supporting roles

. Only dramas over 6 episodes (special and short dramas are excluded)

. Only movies released in Korean theaters (not just online) (at the exception of Netflix original movies)

. No web dramas (exception for Netflix)

. Only Korean releases

Kpopmap's criteria for acting-dols are not absolute or the right answer. It is just criteria applied in the content of Kpopmap. And these criteria can change according to the trends or fans' opinions.

 

The other acting-dols have been included in the following article:

 

Did we miss anyone? Let us know in the comments!