Let's be honest: 2021 was one of the worst years Korean cinema had in recent times. One would've hoped that they would have built upon the brilliant couple years that 2019 ad 2020 were but sadly that wasn't to be. The pandemic situation did not help, with many production houses deciding to pull scheduled releases, halting production or waiting on things to calm down before releasing some projects that have big money riding on them. Even on the indie cinema front, which actually thrived in 2021 due to the lack of mainstream releases, did not manage to impress with what little out there was.
Things however do seem to be on the up with this year, as a few postponed releases are finally getting rescheduled and seeing theatrical releases. New releases are also being talked about and promotional material for some long gestating projects is also being circulated. Without further ado, we bring to you the list of the 20 Most Anticipated Korean Films of 2022.
(Note: This list is of a speculative nature, based on where we know a project is in its production or post-production stage and release dates are subject to change. Postponed titles already mentioned in our previous lists of 2021 and 2020 which are likely to see release this year have not been mentioned here again.)
1. The Witch: Part 2. The Other One (dir. Park Hoon-jung)
It's happening. It's finally happening! Park Hoon-jung's follow-up to “The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion” made us wait a long time, first with Warner Bros stopping all activities in Korea and then with the production trying to find a new home. But Park Hoon-jung is a high-profile directory, as is the “The Witch” IP, so it was only a matter of “when” rather than “if” it got made. Anyway, fast forward a few years to 2022 and the second part of the saga, officially titled “The Witch: Part 2. The Other One”, is all set to release in the upcoming months. What's even interesting here is that the focus shifts from Kim Da-mi's Ja-yoon and falls on newcomer Shin Si-ah's character. This is likely to be even on the most casual Korean film watcher's watchlist.
2. High Five (dir. Kang Hyung-chul)
Despite trying earnestly, South Korean cinema has yet to find its footing when it comes to superhero films, even if they've managed to export actors like Ma Dong-deok and Park Seo-joon to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Trying his hand at the popular genre next is “Swing Kids” director Kang Hyung-chul, whose superhero team features Yoo Ah-in, Ahn Jae-hong, Lee Jae-in, Ra Mi-ran and Oh Jung-sae, a team that has villains on its trail that covet their superpowers. Here's hoping this ragtag team of youths and middle-aged superheroes bring the action along with the laughs provided by the generation gap between them.
3. The Land of Happiness (dir. Choo Chang-min)
Not to be confused with the yet-to-be released “Heaven: To the Land of Happiness” by Im Sang-soo starring Choi Min-sik and Park Hae-il, “The Land of Happiness” is actually the new film from Choo Chang-min. This latest work from the director of “Masquerade” and “Seven Years of Night” stars Lee Sun-kyun, Jo Jung-seok and Yoo Jae-myung in a story about a lawyer who strives to save a person caught in a case that will shake modern history.
4. Carter (dir. Jung Byung-gil)
Announced a couple years back when Netflix revealed plans to double down on producing original Korean content, little is known about “Carter” the latest film from “The Villainess” director Jung Byung-gil. What is known however is that it is supposed to be a one-cut, first person action film from start to finish, starring Joo Won in the titular role as a secret agent who wakes up one day in a motel room without any recollection of his identity and follows orders to join an explosive mission. If the opening of Jung's previous film “The Villainess” is anything to go by, this should, at the very least, be a technically very well executed action film.
5. The Moon (dir. Kim Yong-hwa)
Kim Yong-hwa is best known for the box office juggernauts that both the “Along with the Gods” films were. His latest film “The Moon” tackles South Korean cinema's latest craze: outer space. The story sees a man being left behind on the moon and those on Earth attempting to bring him back. In addition to the visuals and storytelling flairs Kim manages to bring to the project, it is also hotly anticipated for its cast, which includes Sol Kyung-gu and Do Kyung-soo (D.O. from EXO) alongside Kim Hee-ae.
6. Portrait of a Family (dir. Lee Ji-won)
Lee Ji-won broke our hearts back in 2018 with “Miss Baek”. Her follow-up “Portrait of a Family” promises yet another bleak tale, this time focusing on an affluent married couple crashing hard to the ground after getting involved in a case and struggling to retrieve what's theirs. The feature, marketed as a “family noir” stars acting powerhouses Ryoo Seung-ryong and Ha Ji-won as the married couple and young actress Kim Si-ah, who also gave the unforgettable performance in Lee's debut “Miss Baek”.
7. Concrete Utopia (dir. Uhm Tae-hwa)
The last time director Uhm Tae-hwa, brother to actor Uhm Tae-goo, directed a film, it was the rather excellent “Vanishing Time: A Boy Who Returned”. Six years since, his follow-up “Concrete Utopia”, a dystopian disaster movie in which an earthquake devastates all of Seoul, with all survivors gathering at the last-standing Hwanggung Apartment, is gearing up for release. Based on a webcomic, “Concrete Utopia” boasts of a big-name starcast including Lee Byung-hun, Park Seo-joon and Park Bo-young. What makes the project further interesting is that a co-related universe, including tv drama “Concrete Market” and a feature film sequel “Concrete Kingdom” starring Ma Dong-seok, has already been announced, even before the first film has seen release.
8. Broker (dir. Hirokazu Koreeda)
This is the big one this year, the one with the most eyes on it internationally (alongside Park Chan-wook's “Decision to Leave”, which was included in our list last year). Japanese master Hirokazu Koreeda goes once again into uncharted territory with “Broker”, his first Korean-language film. The story revolves around the “baby box”, which is designed to allow people who cannot raise children to leave their babies anonymously. The project also draws eyes to it thanks to its impressive cast-list, which includes Song Kang-ho, Bae Doona (who returns to work with director Koreeda after “Air Doll”), Kang Dong-won, IU and Lee Joo-young.
9. Hunt (dir. Lee Jung-jae)
Actor Lee Jung-jae had a great 2021, rising to international fame with the success of the tv show “Squid Game”. His next project is set to be “Hunt”, a feature that also sees him make his debut as a director. Since this is his first time stepping behind the camera, he has also brought along best friend and business partner Jung Woo-sung for the ride, who co-stars alongside Lee Jung-jae in this stylish spy thriller which sees the two actors play ace spies for the National Security Planning Agency as they face a huge truth while chasing the general manager of the North Korean spy agency.
10. Stolen Identity (dir. Kim Tae-joon)
Our smartphones are so personal to us these days, the mere thought of losing them gives us anxiety attacks. In “Stolen Identity”, the debut directorial feature of Kim Tae-joon, Chun Woo-hee's Na-mi finds out just how scary it is to lose a smartphone in this day and age, when her life is threatened after losing her phone which contained all her personal data. Kim Tae-joon comes with good experience under his belt, having worked on the likes of “Die Bad” and “Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time” in the cinematography department and in the directing department on “Doomsday Book” and the Chun Woo-hee starring thriller “The Office”. Im Si-wan also stars in this feature, which is the remake of the Japanese film of the same name. A slick-looking, well-acted thriller can be expected, at the very least.
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