Korean Content Showcase at APAC Event

During its APAC showcase held in Tokyo, Netflix highlighted its ambitious strategy to expand Korean content offerings. This included insights into their upcoming project slate, notably featuring “Lost in Starlight,” the platform’s inaugural Korean animated feature, scheduled for release in the second quarter.

Ambitious Animation Goals

The introduction of this animated film marks a significant advancement within Netflix’s Korean content universe, which capitalizes on the worldwide acclaim of successful titles such as “Revelations”, directed by Yeon Sang-ho. The film topped Netflix’s Non-English film charts for two weeks across 65 countries, underscoring the platform’s commitment to quality content.

Director Insights on “Lost in Starlight”

Director Han Ji-won, who participated in the event virtually from Seoul, shared the challenging five-year journey of creating “Lost in Starlight.” The film narrates the story of an emotionally scarred astronaut on a Mars mission who develops feelings for a struggling musician facing stage fright, featuring voice actors Kim Tae-ri and Hong Kyung.

Han emphasized her passion for animation exploring themes of space and romance, indicating that the project originated as a short film before evolving into its current feature format with Climax Studio’s involvement. “The subject matter of dream and also romance and love, I realize that these things are all very closely connected together,” Han stated.

World-Building in Futuristic Seoul

In discussing the film’s setting of Seoul in 2050, Han described her vision of merging futuristic elements with nostalgic aspects. “We try to create a future version of those elements like the film ‘Her,’ the things that are critical to our story,” she explained, contrasting high-tech features such as holograms with traditional locations like Euljiro, a neighborhood recognized for its nostalgic feel.

Han expressed her belief in the global potential of Korean animation, stating, “Korea has got this pool of talent… We have a lot of creators who are really good at storytelling. I think Korea is a country that has everything to make great animation work.”

Upcoming Releases and Diverse Genres

At the showcase, directors Kim Tae-joon and Namkoong Sun presented their upcoming releases scheduled for the third quarter. Kim’s “Wall to Wall” (also known as “84 Square Meters”) tackles the anxieties of housing in modern Korean society through the narrative of Woo-sung, whose ideal apartment turns into a nightmare due to incessant mysterious noises.

“Over 80% of Korean residences are in apartments. And 84 square meters is actually the most common size,” Kim noted, emphasizing the significance of apartment complexes as layers of human interaction and conflict.

In contrast, Namkoong’s romantic film, “Love Untangled,” set in Busan during 1998, features an ensemble of popular young talents, presenting a light-hearted story about a high school girl determined to express her feelings to her crush. “The world is changing so quickly and I think the teens are having a very hard time navigating their future. We need more joy, we need more love, we need more happiness,” Namkoong reflected.

Future Projects on the Horizon

Vincent Taewon Kim, Netflix Korea’s director of content, hinted at three additional films scheduled for release in 2025: “Mantis,” a spin-off from the successful “Kill Boksoon,” a 1970s-set hijacking drama titled “Good News,” and a sci-fi disaster film named “Great Flood.”

Global Screening of “Lost in Starlight”

The showcase concluded with a world premiere screening of “Lost in Starlight” for attendees in Tokyo, illustrating Netflix’s confidence in broadening its genre offerings within the Korean entertainment landscape.