Find out the cast and summary of Korean drama “Narco-Saints” with Ha JungWoo, Hwang JungMin, and Park HaeSoo.
Carinne, Staff Writer 3 min to read ·
Published : Sep 5, 2022
· Updated : Sep 8, 2023
Netflix Korea
“Narco-Saints” is a Netflix series that tells the story of a civilian who moves to Suriname and accepts a secret mission from the NIS to capture a drug lord.
The leads in the drama are Ha JungWoo, Hwang JungMin, and Park HaeSoo.
Award-winning actor Ha JungWoo has appeared in the dramas “Entourage”, “H.I.T” and “Lovers In Prague.”
Popular film actor Hwang JungMin has acted in the dramas “Hush”, “Korean Peninsula”, and “That Fool.”
Actors Jo WooJin (“Happiness”, “Mr. Sunshine”, “Chicago Typewriter”), Yoo YeonSeok (“Hospital Playlist”, “Hospital Playlist 2”, “Mr. Sunshine”, “Dr. Romantic”), and Taiwanese actor Chang Chen ("Love And Destiny", "Soldier Mission") will also be starring in this drama.
“Narco-Saints” was initially planned to be released as a movie, but was changed to a 6-part series and is loosely based on actual events.
Here is more information.
Narco-Saints (2022)
Netflix Korea
Information
Title: Narco-Saints / Surinam / 수리남
Director: Yoon JongBin
Writer: Yoon JongBin, Kwon SongHwi
Network: Netflix
Runtime: From September 9, 2022
# of Episodes: 6
Genre: Action, Thriller, Crime
Language: Korean
Summary
“An ordinary entrepreneur joins a secret government mission to capture a Korean drug lord operating in South America. Based on true events.” - Netflix
Kang InGu worked his way out of poverty to provide for his family. However, he is still down on his luck and decides to pursue a business venture with a friend in Suriname, a country in South America.
While in Suriname InGu gets involved with an international drug trade and must assist the NIS in capturing the drug lords.
Choi ChangGo is a “straight-laced” NIS agent who recruits InGu into the case to catch Pastor Jeon YeoHwan. In order to bring the Pastor to justice, ChangHo tells InGu that he must get close to the drug lord and gain his trust.
Overseas Fans Name Their Top 5 K-Dramas Of 2023 And Why "Squid Game" Continues To Dominate The List
Check out the top 5 favorite Korean dramas chosen by overseas fans from over 26 countries and how "Squid Game" continues to remain at the top.
Dyllan Mykel, Kpopmap Editor 7 min to read ·
Published : Apr 22, 2024
Netflix Korea
The results for the 2024 Overseas Hallyu Survey has been released, naming the most beloved K-Dramas of viewers from across the globe. The top 5 series consists of "Squid Game", "The Glory", "King The Land", "Crash Landing On You", and "Taxi Driver", in that order. For the third time since its release, "Squid Game" continues to dominate, earning mass-attention from audiences worldwide.
Conducted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Overseas Hallyu Survey aims to compile the data on the impact of the Hallyu wave. With a sample size of 25,000 people from over 26 countries, the survey tries it best to show an accurate representation of what types of K-Content is being consumed in different countries.
While many more amazing series have popped up over the years, "Squid Game" is still named as one of the most enjoyed K-Dramas by 9.0% of survey participants. While they're not all the same genre, they do have some similarities, and some clear cut reasons why "Squid Game" remains at the top.
Top Ratings And Streams
Looking at the list across the board, these series cover a variety of different themes. This includes everything from lighthearted romantic comedy to suspenseful thriller and heart-racing action. As vastly different as they might be, they share a similarity in receiving top ratings and streams.
At their highest ratings, "Crash Landing On You" received 21.7%, "King The Land" ended on 13.8%, and "Taxi Driver" received 16% for season 1 and 21% for season 2 respectively. When it comes to the Netflix-produced shows of "Squid Game" and "The Glory", rather than percentage ratings, there are hours viewed. At its peak and according to FlixPatrol, "The Glory" reached an astonishing 124,460,000 hours viewed. But this seems pale in comparison to the 571,760,000 of "Squid Game".
Earlier, we mentioned that Squid Game was picked by 9.0% of survey respondents. The rest are as follows: "The Glory" (3.4%), "King The Land" (2.6), "Crash Landing On You" (2.2), and "Taxi Driver" (1.6). While the rest of these series are amazing in their own right, the difference between "Squid Game" still remains quite large, even three years after its release.
Translated by Kpopmap.com
While these numbers don't tell the whole story, they portray these shows' mass appeal and how they naturally had the entire globe wrapped around their finger, eagerly moving from episode to episode. With a majority of these shows made available through Netflix, and "Taxi Driver" as the lone Amazon Prime Video representative, it was easy for individuals around the globe to become hooked and name them as their top series of 2023.
More Than Just A K-Drama
Netflix Korea
Now, we have a general idea of how well these series have done, according to stats. And while statistics might be a clear representation of these K-Dramas' success, when breaking things down, it becomes more than just the numbers. And in turn, these shows become more than just a regular, old K-Drama. In the case of "Squid Game", "The Glory", and "Taxi Driver", they certainly were not your typical K-Dramas that ended with a couple riding into the sunset towards their happily-ever-after. Instead, they erred more on the intensity of the world, how some actions are simply unforgivable, and the sheer ruthlessness of certain individuals. They introduced global audiences to a grittier, less explored side of K-Dramas that left a lasting impression on millions.
Looking over at "Crash Landing On You" and "King The Land", these two offered a totally different experience for viewers, acting as quintessential examples for your tried and true K-Drama. They had layers of depth and character development, while remaining lighthearted enough for you to witness a swoon-worthy romance, made you smile in unending laughter, and kept audiences coming back every single week.
JTBC
Millions of individuals raved about these series' incredible success and how they managed to change the landscape of the K-Dramas we see today. And aside from the feel good happy endings and the idea that love is real from "Crash Landing On You" and "King The Land", they approached a myriad of real-life topics that are generally harder to talk about for any one person. "Squid Game" tackled economic disparity, "The Glory" depicted the lasting effects of bullying, and "Taxi Driver" portrayed the idea that the less fortunate can receive their due justice.
It's in these life lessons, combined with the pure entertainment factors, that make these shows so worth it.
The Lasting Effect Of "Squid Game"
Netflix
It's no secret that Netflix's "Squid Game" became a world-renowned hit. According to data collected by Netflix, as of April 14th, 2024, "Squid Game" has received a approximately 265,200,000 total views, earning it the top spot of Netflix's Most Popular TV (Non-English) list. During its initial year of release, it became an international craze, with millions flocking to filming locations of the series, creating a boon in the tourism industry. Even the official VISIT SEOUL website curated a list of "Squid Game" filming locations that travelers could visit in Seoul.
Additionally, a pop-up playground was previously set up at Itaewon station, which ran from September 17th, 2021 until September 26th, 2021.
Netflix Korea
Many would think that the first year of global success aside, and with the amount of incredible K-Dramas that have graced our screens since, surely there would have been at least one to overtake the no. 1 spot from "Squid Game". However, going from 21.2% to 11.3%, and now 9.0% shows just how much presence the Netflix series continues to retain.
From mentions & reach to netizen sentiment, "Squid Game" remained truly relevant within such a fast-paced and ever-changing entertainment world. And while there are dips here and there, the sentiment around "Squid Game" is ultimately positive, a consensus shared by a large portion of survey respondents and the world. Although the drama's mentions and reach are on a downwards trend, it has yet to fall off completely, showing that audiences still have their tabs open to search more about "Squid Game".
Kpopmap
Kpopmap
Looking at it even deeper, there's many reasons for that.
The 'Wow' Factor
Entertainment-wise, "Squid Game" is truly a special title. As the characters participate in a series of missions in an attempt to earn a life-changing monetary prize, audiences await with bated breathe to see just who will make it out alive. Taking simple Korean games and transforming them to psychologically frightening tasks blows everything out of proportion, but creates such an inescapable magnetic pull that you can't help but be dragged along by its explosive plot. This 'wow' factor certainly contributed to the overall success of "Squid Game" and how it became such a loved hit for three years in a row.
Spinoffs And Reimagined For Real Life
Even with its immense virality and worldwide influence, many probably could not foresee that it would incite others into action to replicate the hit series and create a real-life "Squid Game". One of the most notable attempts was done by popular YouTuber, Mr. Beast. Although the contestants do not carry a sense of desperation to succeed like the original characters nor is blood actually shed, the spirit of "Squid Game" is still present. This 26 minute video by the YouTuber now sits at around 600M views.
Then, just last year in 2023, Netflix tapped into the success of "Squid Game" and created "Squid Game: The Challenge". This was the official real-life rendition of the iconic series. While this was a bit more laidback like Mr. Beast's version, tensions were a little higher as the streaming giant tried its best to stay as true to the K-Drama as possible.
Outside of these, along with many other attempts to bring "Squid Game" to life, the iconic tracksuits, guard outfits, and more reached store shelves everywhere. Then when Halloween came around the corner, millions walked along the street dressed from head to toe in "Squid Game" attire, showing their enjoyment and outright affection for the show.
"Squid Game" Moving Forward
Considering the news about "Squid Game 2" and how it's going to drop sometime this year, it seems the craze is far from over. Rather, it will most likely receive a second wind, dominating watchlists and search engines worldwide. And even then, depending on whether or not the response for season 2 is similar or surpasses expectations, there could even be a chance that the "Squid Game" universe is expanded even further. This would pave the way for even more exploration into the "Squid Game" narrative and an expansion of an already complex story. This time next year, "Squid Game 2" could be like its predecessor and be chosen as the top K-Drama from 21.2% of survey respondents, or more.
What do you think of the results for the 2024 Overseas Hallyu Survey? Have you gone back to rewatch "Squid Game" in the past year?
Controversy Explodes Over 60th Baeksang Arts Awards - Sentiment Analysis Reveals Extreme Discontent As Talented Actors Are Robbed Of Nominations
The 60th Baeksang Arts Awards nominations are out & they're controversial, so we ran a sentiment analysis to understand the issue.
Ishani Sarkar, Kpopmap Editor 5 min to read ·
Published : Apr 9, 2024
Baeksang Official's Instagram / tvN
The 60th Baeksang Arts Awards, known as one of the most prestigious award shows in the Korean entertainment industry, has announced this year's nominations and netizens are not too happy.
The Baeksang Arts Awards are highly anticipated every year, as they recognize excellence in Korean film, television, and theatre. Not just artists but fans also look forward to this night, hoping for acknowledgment for their favorite works and actors. While it is not possible for everyone's favorite artist to receive a nod or take home an award, this year, the nominations have been causing quite the controversy all over the world.
Korean netizens and global fans are unanimously discontent with the 60th Baeksang Arts Awards nominations, especially in the TV category. So, this article and analysis focus exclusively on the controversy surrounding the TV nominations.
60th Baeksang Arts Awards Nominations - Sentiment Analysis
We pulled and analyzed posts from all over the internet, such as on X, Instagram, and NATE PANN, to understand this controversy and highlight fans' opinions, concerns, and protestations. What we noticed was that fans from all over the world, regardless of whether they are Korean or international, shared similar opinions on the nominations this time, particularly in regards to actors who were snubbed.
Before we get into our findings, let's take a brief look at the nominations that are causing the most contention with the 60th Baeksang Arts Awards.
Categories under "TV" that are taking the most heat are "Best Actor" and "Best Actress".
Baeksang Official's Instagram
In the "Best Actor (TV)" category, the nominations are Kim SooHyun for "Queen Of Tears", NamKoong Min for "My Dearest", Ryu SeungRyong for "Moving", Yoo YeonSeok for "A Bloody Lucky Day", and Yim SiWan for "Boyhood".
Baeksang Official's Instagram
In the "Best Actress (TV)" category, we have Ra MiRan for "The Good Bad Mother", Ahn EunJin for "My Dearest", Uhm JungHwa for "Doctor Cha", Lee HaNee for "Knight Flower", and Lim JiYeon for "Lies Hidden In My Garden".
Rather than directly expressing disapproval of the nominated actors, fans are more upset with the actors and actresses who deserved nominations but were not named. You can check out our sentiment analysis chart below for more clarity.
Kpopmap
As depicted in the chart, an overwhelming majority of netizens, constituting 78.7%, voiced dissatisfaction with the nominations. Conversely, only a marginal 5.8% displayed enthusiasm, while 15.5% remained neutral, neither impressed nor disappointed.
Criticism Of Selection Criteria
60th Baeksang Arts Awards
Netizens who showed a negative response raised questions about and criticism of the selection process, including doubts on whether the process was fair after all. The criteria used for nominations were brought into discussion alongside factors like viewership ratings and OTT ranking.
For those who might not know, the Baeksang Arts Awards nominees were chosen from K-Dramas that aired between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024. A K-Drama will have to have aired at least one-third of its episodes by March 31 to qualify for a nomination. That is why the ongoing K-Drama "Queen Of Tears" was considered for the 60th Baeksang Arts Awards.
However, many fans were not too fond of the fact that a K-Drama that hasn't even finished airing was chosen for a category, whereas actors from several popular and beloved K-Dramas were not.
As many netizens disagreed with the standards of the Baeksang Arts Awards by which nominees are decided, they renounced the credibility of the same.
Actors Who Deserved Nominations, According To Global Fans
Six names stood out among the numerous posts we analyzed - Kim JiWon, Kim TaeRi, Ji ChangWook, Lee DongWook, Park BoYoung, and Shin HaeSun.
Among them, Kim JiWon is the actress fans are advocating for the most, even more so because Kim SooHyun has been nominated for the "Best Actor" category, but Kim JiWon did not get a "Best Actress" nomination. Fans are quite upset and disconcerted about the reasoning behind such a decision when Kim JiWon, who is playing the title role of one of the most successful K-Dramas right now, has not been nominated.
Comparisons between the ratings of "Queen Of Tears" versus those of "Lies Hidden In My Garden", intended to highlight Kim JiWon's snub, were also drawn, although the argument was quickly shut down when other comments emphasized that the Baeksang Arts Awards does not present awards based on ratings as last year, Kim JiWon's own drama "My Liberation Notes" was nominated for "Best Drama" despite its considerably lower ratings. Both Son SukKu and Kim JiWon were also nominated for "Best Actor" and "Best Actress" respectively.
Another upsetting snub this year, according to fans, was that of Kim TaeRi, who delivered a spellbinding performance in "Revenant". Netizens are mentioning that if Kim TaeRi had been nominated, she would undoubtedly have taken the award home. However, it's a pity that her performance was overlooked.
tvN / SBS / Disney+ / Netflix / JTBC
Similarly, Park BoYoung was brought up in discussion, with many pointing out that Park BoYoung has consistently been snubbed by the Baeksang Arts Awards despite her excellent performances, such as in "Daily Dose Of Sunshine".
Shin HaeSun was also mentioned by several fans, who asserted that the actress' performance in "Welcome To Samdal-ri" was deserving of a nomination.
In response, some netizens who are neutral about the nominees mentioned that while it is true that there are other deserving candidates, the actresses who have been nominated are also incredible, and none of them can be replaced.
In the "Best Actor" category, netizens expressed the most frustration over Ji ChangWook and Lee DongWook being snubbed. Ji ChangWook, who impressed with his brilliant acting skills and range in the Disney+ K-Drama "The Worst Of Evil" and Lee DongWook, who made viewers fall in love with him all over again in "A Shop For Killers", also on Disney+, definitely deserved nominations, according to netizens. International netizens were most vocal about this exclusion.
Once again, there were opinions that these actors were outstanding in their respective roles but the current nominees simply cannot be replaced.
What do you think about the Baeksang Arts Awards nominations this year? Tell us on X!
The 60th Baeksang Arts Awards will be held on May 7, 2024 (Tue) at 5:00 PM KST in COEX Hall D, Seoul.
5 Korean Movies To Binge-Watch During Valentine's Day
With Valentine's Day just at our doorstep, here are some Korean movies you can binge watch!
Dyllan Mykel, Kpopmap Editor 3 min to read ·
Published : Feb 13, 2024
Next Entertainment World
January went by in a flash and with February being just as fast, Valentine's Day is right at our doorstep. Shelves have become filled with stuffed animals, flower arrangements, balloons, and much more to celebrate the occasion. It's a holiday recognized worldwide, prompting couples and potential relationships to openly display their feelings of affection toward one another.
With Valentine's Day being on a weekday, however, it can be difficult to arrange dinner dates that occur deep into the night. And with this fact, some couples are looking to celebrate at home. For K-Drama fans, it can be an opportunity to binge watch several romance movies in a row, widely grinning and uncontrollably sobbing at the touching love stories these films present.
Now with that said, here are some Korean movies you can totally binge watch on Valentine's Day!
1. "20th Century Girl"
Cast: Kim YouJung, Byeon WooSeok, Park JungWoo, Roh YoonSeo, and more
Summary: Depicts the story of Na BoRa as she attempts to play cupid for her best friend and finds out all the information on Poong WoonHo. However, as the two hang out more frequently, they begin to fall for one another.
Reasons To Watch: "20th Century Girl" makes you nostalgic, taking audiences through a blast from the past type of romance story. The film serves as a reminder of your own first love and the pure innocence that came from that time. The chemistry of the main couple revitalizes every romantic cell in your body, causing you to gush profusely over practically ever interaction.
Cast:Han HyoJoo, Kim DaeMyung, Lee HyunWoo, Yoo YeonSeok, Park SeoJun, and more
Summary: WooJin has a special condition that causes him to wake up as a different person every day. Because of this, he's naturally kept his distance with others, with only his best friend and mother knowing his secret. However, he happens to meet YiSoo and ends up falling in love with her.
Reasons To Watch: With the premise of the film, "The Beauty Inside" has a star-studded cast playing one singular person. It's interesting to see how these actors interpret the character in both similar and different ways. It touches upon the true meaning of love, urging audiences to focus on a person's personality and inside qualities, rather than their physical appearance. It's a moving film that will help any pair appreciate each other more than ever before.
Summary: Kang JunSoo is the type of person who gives everything to his girlfriend, however, always gets hurt in the end. Kim HyunWoo is a beautiful weathercaster, but her personality is excessive and over the top. While they originally start off as friends, a romance blooms between the two.
Reasons To Watch: "Love Forecast" is an absolutely hilarious film that will have you gripping at your side from all the laughter. The two main characters possess a love and hate relationship with one another that may make you question whether or not they will truly get together. But in between the sarcastic remarks and witty comments, Kang JunSoo and Kim HyunWoo's love story develops into one that will move your heart, most especially on Valentine's Day.
Summary: It follows the relationship of Hwang WooYeon and Hwan SeungHee that spans over the course of 10 years. They go through a stark transformation, going from innocent adolescents to mature adults. Partway through, they lose contact with one another until one day, WooYeon receives a wedding invitation from his first love, SeungHee.
Reasons To Watch: While a high school romance might be hard to come by in reality, "On Your Wedding Day" bridges that gap, creating a fiery warmth within your chest. However, it's not all rainbows and butterflies, as it tackles the act of moving on and letting someone go. It's very real in that it shows a happy ending is not always guaranteed and that true love will do what's necessary to ensure the other person is truly happy.
Summary: Cheon KangIl is a hardworking firefighter and Go MiSoo is a fiery doctor who gets sued for misdiagnosing a patient. She reaches out to Firefighter KangIl to be her character witness and the flames of romance light up between the two.
Reasons To Watch: "Love 911" is an iconic classic that has effectively swept the hearts of millions worldwide. The chemistry between Han HyoJoo and Go Soo is electrifying, causing viewers to remain glued to their screen from beginning to end. There's bickering, nail-biting suspense, and heart-fluttering romance that will have you smiling all day long. Valentine's Day would be perfect if you were snuggled in bed with "Love 911" on your binge list.
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