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!

One of the biggest names in the Korean entertainment industry and especially in broadcasting and to many K-Drama lovers is none other than 'KBS'. KBS, the Korean Broadcasting System, has played a vital role in the growth of K-Dramas over the decades with continuously high-ranking K-Dramas placing in the best ratings list of 2020, 2021, and 2022.

Additionally, KBS has been known for producing some of the most iconic dramas adored by K-Drama lovers. Thanks to this, they also have some record ratings worth mentioning such as for the K-Drama "Bread, Love and Dreams" which aired in 2010 that reached a record 50.8% rating! Another of their K-Drama hits with sky-high ratings is "Descendants of The Sun" (2016) with a 38.8% rating.

Make sure to check out the KBS dramas with the highest ratings from 2015-2020 in this article:

Here are the top KBS dramas with the highest ratings since 2020!

Note: This ranking does not include daily and weekend dramas. 'Drama specials' and 'weekend drama specials' are also not included in the ranking.

 

1. "Royal Secret Agent" - 14%

"Royal Secret Agent" is the KBS drama with the highest rating (since 2020) at a 14% rating. Starring INFINITE's L (Kim MyungSoo), Kwon NaRa, and Lee YiKyung, many hailed the drama as one of the best historical K-Dramas out there. The drama turned its viewers into detectives who were just as invested in cracking the story as the characters and made for an immersive experience.

 

2. "Goryeo–Khitan War" - 13.8%

"Goryeo-Khitan War" is a 32-episode long and old-style historical drama that gained the hearts of a lot of viewers. It tells the story of the King of Goryeo named HyeonJong who united Goryo with various events including by leading the war with the Khitans. Starring Kim DongJun, Choi SooJung, and Ji SeungHyun, the drama ended with its highest rating at 13.8% (the drama started at 5%).

Note: this drama is a special drama to commemorate the 50th anniversary of KBS.

3. "The King's Affection" - 12.1%

"The King's Affection" was hailed as a drama that gives you butterflies, as K-Drama lovers couldn't get enough of the sweet storyline and affectionate chemistry between the main couple. Add to that the visual beauty of this historical drama and the deal is sealed. Starring RoWoon and Park EunBin, the drama earned a rating of 12.1%.

 

4. "King Of Tears, Lee BangWon" - 11.7%

"King Of Tears, Lee BangWon" told the history of King TaeJong in a way that put a refreshing twist on the well-known history of the king. The drama was particularly enjoyed by history buffs for the way that it kept the already-known narrative exciting. Starring Joo SangWook, Kim YeongCheol, Ye JiWon, and Park JinHee, the drama made a rating of 11.7%.

 

5. "Woman of 9.9 Billion" - 11.6%

This is yet another drama that made a bold impression on K-Drama lovers. Many found the narrative thrilling and filled with suspense that had you on the edge of your seat waiting to see how it ended. Starring Cho YeoJeong and Kim KangWoo, the drama achieved a rating of 11.6%.

 

6. "River Where the Moon Rises" - 10%

This drama earned praise for many elements from the cast's acting portrayals, to the cinematography, to the OST, and more. Fans couldn't get enough of the electric chemistry between the actors, too. Starring Kim SoHyun, Na InWoo, Lee JiHoon, and Choi YuHwa, "River Where The Moon Rises" earned a rating of 10%.

 

7. "Oasis" - 9.7%

This drama took a fresh approach to an educational lesson on Korean history. Many were impressed with the actors who gave the noir drama its depth. "Oasis", starring Jang DongYoon, Seor InA, and Choo YoungWoo, secured a rating of 9.7%.

 

8. "Bloody Heart" - 8.9%

"Bloody Heart" earned a rating of 8.9%. Starring Jang Hyuk, Lee Joon, and Kang HanNa, the drama was praised for the depth of its storyline and characters. With a riveting narrative, the characters each carried out their convictions in a convincing way.

 

9. "Police University" - 8.5%

"Police University" was a K-Drama filled with life lessons and sweet moments that brought a lot of fun to the screen. Starring Cha TaeHyun, JinYoung, and f(x)'s Krystal, the drama earned an 8.5% rating.

 

10. "Moonshine" - 7.6%

"Moonshine" did what a lot of dramas can't do easily. It mixed the complex world of politics with a romantic comedy aspect that made for a pleasant viewing experience. Fans were especially pleased with the emotional conviction of the actors, Yoo SeungHo and Girl's Day's HyeRi - earning the drama a 7.6% rating.

 

11. "Forest" - 7.4%

"Forest" gained a lot of praise for its beautiful setting and beautiful story. Many fans expressed that watching the drama had a healing effect on them and that they appreciated the sweet chemistry between the main characters, played by actors Park HaeJin and Cho BoAh, too. This earned the drama ratings of 7.4%.

 

12. "Curtain Call" - 7.2%

"Curtain Call" was a fresh kind of period drama well-received by many fans. The drama carried a deep sentiment that appealed to viewers. Starring Kang HaNeul, Ha JiWon, and Go DooShim, the drama secured 7.2% ratings.

 

13. "The Law Cafe" - 7.1%

"The Law Cafe" earned the high ratings of 7.1%. Starring Lee SeungGi and Lee SeYoung, this law-and-order type drama had fans rolling with laughter at the witty antics and had their hearts fluttering at the romantic moments.

 

14. "Sell Your Haunted House" - 6.9%

"Sell Your Haunted House" was complimented for its beguiling cast and the amazing way that it presented the horror genre to the K-Drama screen. Starring Jang NaRa and CNBLUE's Jung YongHwa, the drama secured a rating of 6.9%.

 

15. "Bad Prosecutor" - 6.3%

"Bad Prosecutor" gained a lot of praise for its thrilling action investigation storyline and comedy-filled scenes. The chemistry between the two leads was also unmatched. Starring EXO’s D.O. and Lee SeHee, the drama secured 6.3% in ratings.

 

16. "Cheat On Me, If You Can" - 5.8%

Many enjoyed this drama for its crime-novel-esque storytelling style and for the thrill of unraveling the mystery together with the main character. Starring Cho YeoJeong and Go Jun, "Cheat On Me, If You Can" earned 5.8% in ratings.

Which of these KBS dramas is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

 

The unsung heroes of the K-Drama industry are undoubtedly the writers, whose contributions are immensely significant but can often be overlooked. In particular, female K-Drama writers, who have been pillars of the industry for years, definitely deserve more attention.

The creators of our favorite K-Drama characters' destinies, these writers are the backbone of the finished product we see on screen, and their work can transform a good K-Drama into a fantastic, groundbreaking piece of art.

March 8 is celebrated as "International Women's Day" all over the world, and while it is not the only day when we should shine the spotlight on all the amazing, talented, magical women around the world, it is certainly one where you simply cannot forget to do so.

So, in honor of International Women's Day, let's take a look at some immensely talented female K-Drama writers whose work contributed to female empowerment in recent years!

Note: This list is not a ranking.

 

1. Kim EunSook - "The Glory"

A stalwart of the Korean entertainment industry, Kim EunSook is a force to be reckoned with. Her latest work, "The Glory", led by Song HyeKyo, highlights the strength and fortitude of the main character, Moon DongEun, as she rises up against abuse, sheds the constraints of societal expectations, and seeks vengeance on her own terms. In creating such an impactful character, Kim EunSook imparted strength and courage to her female viewers, urging them to take back and stand in their own power.

 

2. Kang EunKyeong - "Gyeongseong Creature"

At the core of "Gyeongseong Creature" is a story about a mother and her daughter fighting for each other against inhumane oppression. Kang EunKyeong delicately imbued this element of tenderness in stark contrast with sharp female rage, elevating the drama to a whole new level. Yoon ChaeOk (Han SoHee) and Choi SeongSim (Kang MalGeum) are definitely well-written characters, but so is the primary antagonist Maeda Yukiko (Claudia Kim), and that is where the skill of Kang EunKyeong shines.

 

3 & 4. Park HyeRyeon & Eun Yeol - "Castaway Diva"

One of the most inspiring tales of resilience, perseverance, and purpose to come out in recent years was "Castaway Diva", written by two female K-Drama writers - Park HyeRyeon and Eun Yeol (picture not available). Led by Park EunBin as the centre of the drama's universe, Seo MokHa, "Castaway Diva" showed the joys of female friendship through MokHa's relationship with Yoon RanJoo (Kim HyoJin), and how such an enduring connection can heal hearts. The writers equipped both women with the skill to reach for their dreams and effortlessly allowed them to support each other in their endeavors while growing as human beings, giving us the most feel-good story ever!

 

5. Kim EunHee - "Revenant"

Kim EunHee has long established herself as a master storyteller, so this list could never be complete without her. Gu SanYeong (played by Kim TaeRi) in "Revenant" is an incredibly complex, layered, and unconventional character who forces the audience to look beyond the surface. She struggles with inner conflict and her own moral code, the wounds of having an absent father while dealing with the dangers he left behind. She stumbles but is steadfast and is the architect of her own salvation. Such a powerful female character is one for the history books, and we have Kim EunHee to thank for that.

 

6. Jeong SeoKyeong - "Little Women"

Are we surprised that one of the most iconic female-led K-Dramas of recent times was written by a woman? "Little Women" is a testament to sisterhood that stands the test of modern society. Each of the three Oh sisters represents a distinct shade of femininity - InJoo (Kim GoEun), a matriarch, the protector; InKyeong (Nam JiHyun) - a driven and ambitious career woman, the truth-seeker; and InHye (Park JiHu) - a young creative, free-spirited and self-assured. Writer Jeong SeoKyeong masterfully unveils the nuanced facets of each character's femininity, captivating viewers and compelling them to delve into the profound intricacies of the narrative.

Let's all thank these incredible female writers for their fantastic work this International Women's Day, and we look forward to what they have in store for us next!