Netflix’s Tokyo Showcase Spotlights Korean Animation Push and Genre Diversification

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At the ongoing APAC event in Tokyo, Netflix highlighted their bold approach to Korean content, revealing details about their upcoming lineup, particularly focusing on “Lost in Starlight,” their inaugural Korean-animated film.

In Q2, a crucial stage in the development of Netflix’s growing Korean content library will be reached with the arrival of an animation milestone. This significant stride follows the international acclaim received by shows like “Revelations,” helmed by Yeon Sang-ho, which dominated Netflix’s Non-English film chart for two weeks in 65 countries.

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The Q2 animation milestone is a major advancement for Netflix’s burgeoning Korean content universe. This step builds upon the global success of series like “Revelations,” directed by Yeon Sang-ho, which held the top spot on Netflix’s Non-English film chart for two weeks in 65 countries.

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In Q2, an important animation milestone will mark a significant leap forward for Netflix’s expanding Korean content universe. This progress is fueled by the global success of shows like “Revelations,” directed by Yeon Sang-ho, which held the number one position on Netflix’s Non-English film chart for two weeks in 65 countries.

Vincent Taewon Kim, the content director at Netflix Korea, discussed their strategic approach to creating a variety of genres and improving the overall quality and entertainment factor for their seven-movie lineup scheduled for 2025. This diverse collection includes animation, romance, suspense, science fiction, and action films.

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Vincent Taewon Kim, Netflix Korea’s content director, shared insights on their strategic plan to offer a mix of genres while boosting quality and entertainment appeal for their upcoming seven-film schedule in 2025. This collection features animation, romance, thriller, sci-fi, and action movies.

Director Han Ji-won, participating virtually from Seoul, shared the meticulous five-year process that led to “Lost in Starlight,” a movie about a traumatized astronaut chosen for a Mars mission who develops feelings for a musician struggling with stage fright. The film boasts voiceovers by Kim Tae-ri and Hong Kyung.

Han shared that he’s been drawn to animation films about outer space and love since the beginning,” he pointed out, mentioning how the project started as a brief film but later grew into a full-length feature with Climax Studio. “I’ve come to understand that themes of dreams, romance, and love are all deeply intertwined.

When designing Seoul in the year 2050, Han explained her method of world-building as striking a harmonious blend between futuristic and nostalgic elements. “We strive to produce a future manifestation of aspects similar to the film ‘Her,’ items essential to our narrative,” she stated. Purposefully contrasting advanced features such as holograms with traditional settings like Euljiro, a district recognized for its sentimental ambiance, Han intentionally combined these elements.

Han showed enthusiasm for the international prospects of Korean animation, stating, “Korea boasts a wealth of talented individuals… We possess numerous creators who excel in storytelling. In my opinion, Korea holds all the necessary elements to produce outstanding animation content.

The event showcased film directors Kim Tae-joon and Namkoong Sun sharing insights about their upcoming Q3 releases. In particular, Kim’s movie titled “Wall to Wall” or “84 Square Meters,” delves into housing anxieties prevalent in contemporary Korean society by narrating the story of a man named Woo-sung whose dream apartment turns into a nightmare due to inexplicable noises.

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The presentation highlighted Kim Tae-joon and Namkoong Sun, two film directors, discussing their upcoming releases for Q3. Among them was Kim’s movie “Wall to Wall” (also known as “84 Square Meters”), which focuses on the housing concerns that are significant in modern Korean society by depicting the story of Woo-sung, a man whose ideal apartment transforms into a nightmare due to eerie sounds.

As a passionate cinephile delving into the cinematic landscape of Korea, let me shed some light on an intriguing aspect: the majority of Korean homes are nestled within apartments. Interestingly enough, 84 square meters seems to be the most prevalent size among them. These apartment complexes, however, aren’t merely dwelling spaces; they serve as vibrant arenas where diverse aspirations and desires of residents often clash and collide.

As a film enthusiast who’s had a brush with real-life noise disruptions, I, Kim, found inspiration for my latest Netflix thriller from these personal experiences. Titled “Unlocked,” this gripping tale features the talented trio of Kang Ha-neul, Yeom Hye-ran, and Seo Hyun-woo. The movie climbed its way into the top 10 rankings in a staggering 46 countries.

Simultaneously, Namkoong’s “Love Untangled” presents a delightful shift with its 1998 youth romance set in Busan, starring the hottest young actors in Korea at the moment, Gong Myoung and Shin Eun-soo. The narrative revolves around a high school girl with curly hair who is eager to express her feelings towards her crush.

Namkoong mused, ‘It’s likely that Korean teenagers face unique challenges in this rapidly evolving world. They seem to be struggling with their futures. More joy, more love, and more happiness are what they truly need.’

Apart from announcing “Kill Boksoon” sequel, Vincent Kim also hinted at three more films wrapping up the year 2025. These include:
– “Mantis,” a spinoff derived from the popular “Kill Boksoon”;
– “Good News,” an engaging hijacking drama set in the 1970s; and
– “Great Flood,” a thrilling sci-fi disaster movie.

The grand finale of the event featured the world premiere of “Lost in Starlight” for Tokyo viewers, demonstrating Netflix’s growing faith in its diverse Korean content collection.

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2025-04-22 09:46