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Lee Byung-hun might be tempted by violence after getting the axe in the new teaser for Park Chan-Wook’s pitch-black thriller No Other Choice.

Neon will release the film in theaters this fall after its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival.

No Other Choice is an adaptation of Donald E. Westlake’s mystery thriller The Ax and follows “a man who is abruptly laid off by the paper company where he worked tirelessly for many years. He grows increasingly desperate in his hunt for new work, eventually coming to a life-altering decision.”

The novel’s synopsis might give a clearer idea of the madness ahead: “Burke Devore is a middle-aged manager at a paper company when the cost-cutting ax falls, and he is laid off. Eighteen months later and still unemployed, he puts a new spin on his job search — with agonizing care, Devore finds the seven men in...

Among the bigger premieres announced for this year’s Venice Film Festival is Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice (Neon will handle the U.S. release) and ahead of which comes a brief, staccato teaser that hints at Donald E. Westlake’s source material The Ax. Adapting the 1997 novel (which Costa-Gavras first filmed in 2005) the black comedy thriller follows a man laid off from the paper company he worked at for 25 years. Some time later and still jobless, he hits on a solution: to genuinely eliminate his competition. Adapted by Park, Lee Kyung-mi, Don McKellar (The Sympathizer), and Lee Ja-hye (Decision to Leave, The Handmaiden), it features Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min, Yeom Hye-ran, Cha Seung-won, and Yoo Yeon-seok.

“I think it’s been about 17 years since I started writing the script for this movie. I’m so touched that I’ve finally finished filming the work...

“No Other Choice” is a new action ‘dark comedy’ feature, directed by Park Chan-wook (“Old Boy”), starring Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min, Yeom Hye-ran, Cha Seung-won and Yoo Yeon-seok, releasing September 2025 in theaters:

“…a man is abruptly laid off by the paper company where he worked tirelessly for many years. He grows increasingly desperate in his hunt for new work…

“…and eventually he comes to a certain decision…”

Click the images to enlarge…...

"In America, getting fired is called 'getting the axe'... We say, 'it's your neck.'" Surprise - Neon has unveiled a teaser trailer for the new Korean dark comedy from the brilliant Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook, his latest feature film since making Decision to Leave back in 2022. No Other Choice is the title of his new one, which is based on the 1997 novel called "The Ax" written by Donald Westlake. A fresh new murderous tale from one of the great Korean masters of dark & depraved thrills! Here's the quick intro to this sneaky setup: After being laid off and unemployed for several years, a man devises a unique plan to finally secure a new job: eliminate his competition. Starring Lee Byung-hun as Man-soo, along with Son Ye-jin, Yeom Hye-ran, Park Hee-soon, Yoo Yeon-seok, and Cha Seung-won. This first teaser + magnificent new poster are debuting just after it was revealed that...

Less than a month after Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice landed international distribution at Mubi and Neon in North America, the South Korean pic has a trailer and a release date.

The tense Korean-language video sees Squid Game star Lee Byung-hun under stress, constantly tapping his veiny forehead as he seeks answers to his problems. Guns, knives, lighters and cop cars are seen during a series of intense fast cuts. Both the trailer and a new poster reveal a September release date has been set.

Poster for ‘No Other Choice’ Cj Enm

The film follows Lee as middle-aged man Man-su, who embarks on a determined job hunt after being unexpectedly fired from the paper company that he worked for 25 years and eventually comes to a desperate decision. Son Yejin (The Last Princess) leads the cast alongside him.

Park Hee-soon (My Name), Lee Sung-min (The Spy Gone North), Yeom Hye-ran...

Mubi has acquired all rights to No Other Choice, the latest film from South Korean auteur Park Chan-wook (Decision to Leave), for Latin America, the UK, Ireland, Benelux (in concert with Cinéart), Spain, Turkey, India, Australia, New Zealand, and Saarc.

The news comes following word yesterday that Neon is handling the film’s North American release.

Based on the novel The Ax by Donald E. Westlake, No Other Choice follows a middle-aged man named Man-su who embarks on a determined job hunt after being unexpectedly fired from the paper company that he worked for 25 years.

Park directed from a script written with Lee Kyoung-mi, Don McKellar and Jahye Lee. Lee Byung-hun (I Saw the Devil) and Son Yejin (The Last Princess) lead a cast that also includes Park Hee-soon (My Name), Lee Sung-min (The Spy Gone North), Yeom Hye-ran (The Glory), Cha Seung-won (Believer) and Yoo Yeon-seok (Mr. Sunshine).

Producers...

Mubi has acquired rights to Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice for a good chunk of the world, including Latin America, the UK, Ireland, Benelux, Spain, Turkey, India, Australia/New Zealand, and South East Asia. Cinéart will handle the theatrical release in Benelux in partnership with Mubi.

The acquisition follows Neon’s announcement yesterday that it had secured North American rights to the film. Mubi and Neon have been sympatico on several arthouse titles this year. In Cannes, Mubi nabbed multiple international rights on Jafar Panahi’s Palme d’Or winner It Was Just an Accident, Kleber Mendonça Filho’s The Secret Agent, and Oliver Laxe’s Sirat, all of which Neon has for domestic release.

No Other Choice, currently in post-production, is based on Donald E. Westlake’s novel The Ax. The cast is led by Korean stars Lee Byung-hun (Squid Game) and Son Ye-jin (A Moment to Remember), and features Park Hee-soon,...

Mubi has landed distribution rights to Park Chan-wook’s upcoming dark comedy No Other Choice in multiple territories.

The company has secured all rights to South Korean feature in Latin America, the UK, Ireland, Benelux, Spain, Turkey, India, Australia, New Zealand, and Saarc. Cinéart will release the film theatrically in Benelux in collaboration with Mubi.

The deal was revealed just a day after Neon announced it had picked up rights for North America and ahead of a long-rumoured selection for Venice.

It marks the second time Mubi has handled a film by Park, having previously released Cannes award-winner Decision To Leave...

Mubi is reuniting with “Decision to Leave” filmmaker, Park Chan-wook, on his upcoming film, “No Other Choice,” which is currently in post-production and is strongly tipped for a world premiere in competition at Venice.

The global streamer, distributor and producer has bought the film for Latin America, U.K., Ireland, Benelux, Spain, Turkey, India, Australia, New Zealand, and Saarc. Cinéart will release “No Other Choice” theatrically in Benelux. Neon has bought it for North America.

Mubi has a history with Chan-wook. The company entered North America three years ago by theatrically distributing the Korean auteur’s twisty romantic thriller “Decision to Leave” which became his highest-grossing movie in North America, surpassing “Stoker” and “The Handmaiden.” Mubi had also released the movie in multiple international territories.

Park’s 12th feature, “No Other Choice” is based on the 1997 novel “The Ax” by Donald Westlake. It follows a man (Lee) who is abruptly...

Park Chan-wook is one of the world’s most sought-after filmmakers, and Neon wants to be at the head of the table when he serves up something new. On Thursday, Neon announced its reteaming with Park Chan-wook for his next feature film, No Other Choice. Neon holds the North American rights to No Other Choice, starring Lee Byung-hun and Son Ye-jin as husband and wife alongside an ensemble cast including Park Hee-soon (My Name), Lee Sung-min (The Spy Gone North), Yeom Hye-ran (The Glory), Cha Seung-won (Believer 1&2), and Yoo Yeon-seok (Mr. Sunshine).

“No Other Choice, Park’s 12th feature, is based on the 1997 novel The Ax by Donald Westlake. It follows a man (Lee) who is abruptly laid off by the paper company where he worked tirelessly for many years. He grows increasingly desperate in his hunt for new work, eventually he comes to a certain decision,” says Neon’s official press release.

Neon has reteamed with Korean director Park Chan-wook and Parasite studio Cj Enm by taking the North American rights to the violent comedy thriller No Other Choice.

Korean film royalty Lee Byung-hun and Son Yejin star in the thriller about Man-soo (Lee), who is abruptly laid off by the paper company where he worked tirelessly for many years. Man-soo grows increasingly desperate in his hunt for new work, and eventually resolves to kill his job competitors.

Son plays Man-soo’s wife, the warm-hearted Mi-ri in the latest film from Korean cinema to reflect beyond a core narrative the Asian country’s underlying economic and political tensions. Chan-wook’s 12th movie is an adaptation of American novelist Donald Westlake’s 1996 novel The Ax.

Westlake’s novel was previously adapted into French by Costa Gavras as the 2005 film Le Couperet (The Ax). The ensemble cast for Chan-wook’s Korean adaptation includes Park Hee-soon,...

Neon has acquired North American rights to “No Other Choice,” the next film from South Korean auteur Park Chan-wook, the distributor announced Wednesday.

Park’s 12th feature has been in the works for quite some time and only wrapped production in January, but we referred to the film nevertheless as a snub for the Cannes lineup in May (where he previously won Best Director for “Decision to Leave” in 2022), but a source tells IndieWire the film is expected to now premiere at the Venice Film Festival.

“No Other Choice” stars Lee Byung-hun, best known as the villain in “Squid Game,” and Son Ye-jin (“The Last Princess”) as a husband and wife. After the husband is abruptly laid off by the paper company where he worked tirelessly for many years, he grows increasingly desperate in his hunt for new work. It’s based on a 1997 novel by Donald Westlake called “The Ax,...

Neon has acquired the North American rights to No Other Choice, the latest feature from acclaimed Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook.

Based on Donald E. Westlake‘s 1997 novel The Ax, the black comedy thriller is expected to world premiere at the Venice Film Festival in August.

Lee Byung-hun (“Squid Game”) stars a man who is abruptly laid off by the paper company where he worked tirelessly for many years. He grows increasingly desperate in his hunt for new work, eventually coming to a life-altering decision.

Son Ye-jin (“Crash Landing on You”), Park Hee-soon (“Squid Game”), Lee Sung-min (The Spy Gone North), Yeom Hye-ran (“The Glory”), Cha Seung-won (Night in Paradise), and Yoo Yeon-seok (“When the Phone Rings”) also star.

Chan-wook co-wrote the script with Lee Kyoung-mi, Jahye Lee (Uprising), and Don McKellar (Blindness).

No Other Choice is produced by Chan-wook and Back Jisun of Moho Film and Michèle Ray Gavras and Alexandre Gavras of Kg Production,...

Park Chan-wook’s “No Other Choice” has found a North American distributor.

Neon has acquired the North American rights to the South Korean auteur’s latest, which is expected to premiere later this year at Venice.

“No Other Choice” is based on Donald Westlake’s 1997 novel “The Ax.” It follows a middle-aged man who is laid off from his longtime job and becomes increasingly desperate. When he discovers the other people who are up for the same position he starts … thinning out the competition. The novel was previously adapted in 2005 by Costa-Gavras (his daughter is one of the producers of the new film).

Lee Byung-hun and Son Ye-jin play the husband and wife, with a supporting cast that includes Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min, Yeom Hye-ran, Cha Seung-won and Yoo Yeon-seok.

Neon and Cj Enm previously teamed on “Parasite,” which was a critical darling and awards powerhouse, eventually becoming the first...

Neon has taken North American rights to No Other Choice, the next movie from Park Chan-wook.

The project puts Neon back in business with the Korean filmmaker, the label having recently handled the helmer’s re-release of 2003’s Oldboy.

No Other Choice is Park’s 12th movie, and it’s based on the 1997 novel The Ax by Donald Westlake. It follows a man (Squid Game‘s Lee Byung-hun) who is abruptly laid off by the paper company where he worked tirelessly for many years. He grows increasingly desperate in his hunt for new work and eventually comes to a certain decision.

Son Yejin co-stars as the man’s wife alongside an ensemble cast including Park Hee-soon (My Name), Lee Sung-min (The Spy Gone North), Yeom Hye-ran (The Glory), Cha Seung-won (Believer), and Yoo Yeon-seok (Mr. Sunshine).

No Other Choice is produced by Park...

Neon is reteaming with Park Chan-wook and Cj Enm and has acquired North American rights to the South Korean auteur’s upcoming dark comedyNo Other Choice, which has been tipped to premiere in Venice.

Neon will plan an awards run on the filmproduced by Cj Enm Studios and Park’s Moho Films and financed by Cj Enm. It is currently in post.

Lee Byung-hun from Squid Game and I Saw The Devil stars as a middle-aged man fired from a paper company after years of service who goes on a killing spree to eliminate his competition.

Lee is joined by Son Ye-jin,...

Neon has bought North American rights to “No Other Choice,” the upcoming movie by Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook (“Decision to Leave”) which is expected to world premiere at Venice.

Park’s 12th feature, “No Other Choice” is based on the 1997 novel “The Ax” by Donald Westlake. It follows a man (Lee) who is abruptly laid off by the paper company where he worked tirelessly for many years. He grows increasingly desperate in his hunt for new work, eventually he comes to a certain decision.

The film stars Lee Byung-hun (“I Saw the Devil“) and Son Yejin (“The Last Princess“) are set to star as husband and wife alongside an ensemble cast including Park Hee-soon (“My Name”), Lee Sung-min (“The Spy Gone North”), Yeom Hye-ran (“The Glory”), Cha Seung-won (“Believer”) and Yoo Yeon-seok (“Mr. Sunshine”). The deal reteams Neon and Cj Enm following the release of “Parasite” which broke ground as...

Mercy For None Becomes Netflix’s Breakout K-Drama(Photo Credit –Netflix)

Korean thriller dramas have been delivering quality dramas with their engaging narratives, rounded characters, and brilliant cinematography. There is a new thriller drama in town that has ranked #2 on Netflix’s global top 10 non-English shows within a few days of its release. The drama is So Ji-sub starrer Mercy for None. It is adapted from the web novel Plaza Wars, written by Oh Se Hyung and illustrated by Kim Kyun Tae. This drama premiered on Netflix on June 6 with all seven episodes released at once. Mercy for None is directed by Choi Seung-eun and written by Yoo Ki-seong. If you have not picked the drama yet, let us convince you to watch Mercy for None on Netflix.

What is the plot of Netflix’s Mercy for None?

Nam Gi-jun (So Ji-sub) is a retired hitman who was once an...

Netflix’s new action thriller outing is showing no mercy with critics. Ever since Keanu Reeves first demonstrated his affinity for headshots and brutal revenge in the first John Wick, new movies in the genre have been trying to live up to the legacy of Baba Yaga. And it seems that Netflix has finally done just that, if the Rotten Tomatoes rating for the streamer’s new action series is any indication.

Following a former gangster and expert enforcer, the series delivers all the brutal and bloody action that fans of the genre could possibly want as our antihero returns to the fray (and brings his trusty baseball with him) after the mysterious death of his brother. The series is titled Mercy for None, and critics have been heaping praise on the action thriller series, which has now debuted with a rare perfect score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Kate Sánchez of But Why Tho?...

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Good Boy is a South Korean police procedural action comedy-drama series written by Lee Dae-il. The Jtbc series revolves around four former elite athletes who form a special police team to fight against violent crimes by using their mastered skills. Good Boy stars Park Bo-gum, Kim So-hyun, Oh Jung-se, Lee Sang-yi, Heo Sung-tae, and Tae Won-seok. So, if you loved the brutal action, thrilling mysteries, and compelling characters in Good Boy, here are some similar KDramas you should check out next.

Bloodhounds (Netflix) Credit – Netflix

Bloodhounds is a South Korean action drama series written by Jack Park Sayean. Based on the Naver webtoon of the same name by Jeong Chan, the Netflix series revolves around two young boxers who work with a wealthy man to fight against ruthless loan sharks who are exploiting the financially struggling people. Bloodhounds stars Woo Do-hwan,...

Netflix’s Korean crime thriller series, Mercy For None, comprises a solid cast, featuring some of the most well-known acting talents of the Korean showbiz industry. While the narrative treatment of the revenge saga is pretty basic in its approach, it is the unique visual style, brilliant action choreography, and compelling performance by the cast that make the series work so well. Before moving to the cast and character details, the stunt crew’s remarkable efforts should be acknowledged, who not only brought a number of memorable action sequences to life but also maintained the tone of gritty, grounded violence the series was aiming at.

Nam Gi-jun Played by So Ji-sub

Beginning his journey as a fashion model, Korean actor/rapper So Ji-sub made his mark through his performances in acclaimed movies like I’m Sorry, I Love You and Rough Cut and also on the small screen in Phantom,...

Netflix’s new K‑drama Mercy for None debuted globally on June 6, 2025. Written by Yoo Ki‑seong and directed by Choi Sung‑eun, it stars So Ji‑sub as Nam Gi‑jun, a former gangster returning to Seoul’s criminal underworld to avenge his younger brother’s death. With a thriller-meets-noir tone and built on a fan-favorite webtoon, the series has quickly become a hot topic among viewers and critics. This article explores Mercy for None’s (2025) premise, cast, filming, and what makes it stand out.

About the Series:

Mercy for None (2025) is a seven-episode action-noir drama (40–50 min each) based on the popular webtoon Plaza Wars: Mercy for None, written by Oh Se-hyung and illustrated by Kim Gyun-tae. The show adapts its layered revenge story and brutal gangland politics directly from the source material, staying close to its themes of loyalty, power, and betrayal. Fans of the webtoon will recognize key plot turns...

A man leaves a world of violence, severing his own Achilles tendon as a permanent declaration of his exit. For eleven years, Nam Gi-jun lives a life of peace. That peace is shattered when his younger brother is murdered, pulling the legendary gangster back into the grim, neon-soaked underworld of rival gangs he fought to escape.

His return is not a negotiation; it is a reckoning. Gi-jun’s quiet retirement is over, and his quest for answers sets him on a violent collision course with the city’s most powerful and dangerous figures. The promise he made to himself is now secondary to the promise of retribution for his brother.

The Stoic Juggernaut

So Ji-sub’s performance as Nam Gi-jun is a study in physical expression. He is a man of few words, whose profound sadness and simmering rage are communicated through the weight of his posture and the brutal efficiency of his actions.

Everything We Know About Mercy For None K Drama (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Mercy For None is not your average revenge tale. It is grittier and set in a world where mercy simply doesn’t exist. It has it all: twisted alliances, underground politics, and a storm of betrayals coming your way, served with a cold dish of revenge.

Based on the popular webtoon Plaza Wars: Mercy For None by O Se-hyung and Kim Gyun-tae, this new drama blends gang warfare with raw emotion and a splash of mystery. The script is penned by Yoo Ki-seong, and with So Ji-sub making his grand comeback in the lead, expectations are sky-high.

What’s The Plot Of Mercy For None?

Mercy For None, a city ruled by two powerful forces: the Lee Ju-woon organisation and the Koo Bong-san family. They’ve carved up the territory and keep it on a tight leash. Rules are made and broken,...

Netflix has released the trailer for its upcoming K-drama Mercy for None, and it promises a dark and intense revenge story. The series stars So Ji-seob as Ki-jun, a man with nothing to lose who goes after the people responsible for his brother’s death. The show will premiere on June 6.

The trailer reveals that Ki-jun and his brother, Nam Ki-seok (played by Lee Jun-hyuk), were once part of a gang. They had made a deal to leave that life behind—and in return, the gang was supposed to leave them alone. But that deal is broken, and Ki-seok is killed. Now, Ki-jun is ready to take down anyone who stands in his way.

The trailer begins with a funeral scene, showing Ki-jun mourning his brother. He looks broken, lost, and full of pain. As the trailer goes on, viewers see him turn into a one-man army. “Nothing is more...

Nothing is more dangerous than a man with nothing to lose. In the new K-drama series by Netflix, a man is preparing to go full John Wick on the crime underworld of Korea after his brother is brutally killed. Mercy For None is debuting on the streaming platform in just a few days, and today, a trailer was revealed to dig a little deeper into the gritty revenge story. The series is set to premiere on June 6.

The new trailer of Mercy For None indicates that, as the title suggests, Ki-jun (So Ji-seob) will stop at nothing in his quest to discover the real reason why somebody decided to kill his brother, Nam Ki-seok (Lee Jun-hyuk). In the story, both of them were part of a gang for many years before asking to leave. Part of their deal included leaving Ki-jun's brother alone, and something happened to make mob bosses break that rule.

Netflix has released the official trailer and key art for Mercy For None, a new South Korean noir action series fronted by So Ji-sub, marking his return to the genre after more than a decade. Set to debut on 6 June, the series centres on a former gangster forced back into the criminal world he once violently escaped, now propelled by the death of his younger brother and a mission to uncover the truth behind it.

So Ji-sub stars as Nam Ki-jun, once a feared figure in the underworld who famously severed his own Achilles tendon to leave that life behind. Eleven years later, he returns following the suspicious death of his brother Ki-seok (played in flashbacks by Lee Jun-hyuk), who had risen to a leadership role within their former organisation. The trailer opens at Ki-seok’s funeral, immediately establishing a tone of controlled grief and cold resolve. Ki-jun’s return is not welcomed,...

"You told me before to pick a side and prove it. This is my answer." Netflix has unveiled an official trailer for their next Korean action thriller series titled Mercy For None, ready for streaming in June in a few weeks. Between Disney+ and Netflix, they've been developing tons of Korean series and films of all kinds, mostly focusing on really intense action stories since they're the most successful in Korea. After severing ties with his gang, a former gangster returns to uncover the truth behind his brother's death — embarking on a relentless path of revenge. Without compromise or regret, Mercy For None takes viewers on a chilling path of vengeance, redefining the world of cold-blooded, intense noir action. Netflix's new Mercy For None series stars So Ji-sub, marking his return to a powerful action piece after 13 years away. Along with Huh Joon-ho, Gong Myoung, Choo Young Woo, An Kil-kang,...

From Oldboy to Burning, South Korea has proven that it has no problem delivering a quality revenge tale. In series format, this isn't any different, and a new title is arriving to underscore that we want them to keep coming. Mercy For None is a new action K-drama that is debuting on Netflix next month, and it centers around a dangerous killer who returns to the underworld of crime after his brother is killed. The series is set to premiere on June 6, and you can check out the trailer in this article.

At this point, revenge and assassins' stories immediately bring the John Wick franchise to mind. From the looks of it, though, Mercy For None will be able to stand out in the genre. The series has a pretty distinct nighttime look, and the protagonist Ki-jun seems to be as ruthless as he is skilled. In the story, Ki-jun...

Actors Who Unfollowed Kim Soo Hyun On Instagram Amid Kim Sae Ron Row(Photo Credit –Instagram)

Kim Soo Hyun is experiencing one of the worst downfalls in the history of the Korean entertainment industry. Following the death of his ex-lover, Kim Sae Ron, the actor got embroiled in a massive controversy. He has been accused of many things, from grooming the late actress when she was a minor to allegedly cheating on her with different women. Amid the row, many of his fellow colleagues, who have been actively following his work, have pressed the unfollow button on Instagram. Among them are some of the biggest names like Ahn Bo Hyun and Im Si Wan.

The first to take this step was Im Si Wan, the Squid Game 2 star. Not too long ago, he co-starred Kim Soo Hyun during an episode of Bigbang’s G-Dragon’s variety show Good Day. However,...

Netflix has revealed the cast and production details for Show Business (Wt), a new series set in the high-stakes world of the Korean entertainment industry during the 1960s and 80s. The show will bring together a star-studded lineup, including Song Hye-kyo, Gong Yoo, Kim Seol-hyun, Cha Seung-won, and Lee Hanee.

The story follows a group of people chasing fame and success despite having little to start with. Song Hye-kyo, known for The Glory, plays Min-ja, a determined woman shaped by a tough upbringing. Seeing a chance in the Korean music industry, she dives in headfirst, ready to carve out her own path.

Gong Yoo, who appeared in Squid Game, takes on the role of Dong-gu, Min-ja’s childhood friend. The two grew up navigating life’s hardships together and later find themselves side by side in the music industry. Though Dong-gu is impulsive and unpredictable, he has a soft spot...

Song Hye-kyo and Gong Yoo are starring in a new K-drama at Netflix!

The show, which has a working title of Show Business, is set against the backdrop of the gritty and intense ‘60s and ‘80s Korean entertainment industry, via Deadline.

The 43-year-old Descendants of the Sun actress and 45-year-old Squid Game stars are set to appear alongside Kim Seol-hyun, Cha Seung-won and Lee Hanee.

Song Hyo-kyo will play the role of Min-ja, a resilient woman shaped by a challenging childhood. While making her way through life, she sees an opportunity in the Korean music industry and boldly dives in, determined to make her mark.

Gong Yoo plays Dong-gu, Min-ja’s childhood friend. Having faced all kinds of situations together growing up, they enter the music industry side by side. Even though he is reckless and unpredictable, Dong-gu has a soft spot for Min-ja and listens to anything she says.

Whatever is going on in South Korea needs to continue. The United States has Hollywood, and India has Bollywood, but no nation is churning out as much excellent original programming as Korea. Netflix viewers should agree with that.

Squid Game might have turned into a surprise hit, at least as far as the number of viewers who tune in, but there is no doubt as to the elite creative talent of its creators. Is there lots of violence? Absolutely. Are there some plot holes in season 2? Sure. But is it non-stop entertainment? Definitely.

But Squid Game is not the only successful and highly original program to come out of Korea. Light Shop is also excellent. Maybe Netflix subscribers cannot tune into that yet, but it will be worth the wait if it does end up on Netflix. One of the great parts is that soon Netflix viewers will be able...

Song Hye-Kyo & Gong Yoo join forces for upcoming K-Drama ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Show Business (working title which was previously named as Slowly but Intensely) is an upcoming new K-drama. It created quite a buzz when the two big Korean stars – Gong Yoo and Song Hye-Kyo joined the project as the lead cast, and fans went gaga thinking about how their on-screen chemistry will pan out. Now, the main star cast has been confirmed apart from them and has been reported. This drama will definitely generate a massive anticipation from the audience.

Written by Noh Hee-Kyung, popularly known for his works such as ‘It’s Okay, That’s Love’, ‘That Winter, The Wind Blows’, ‘Our Blues’, and more. The storyline of the upcoming project, ‘Show Business’ is set in the 1960s and 1980s, and the plot tells a realistic story of the people from entertainment industry, revolving around the people’s...

Netflix is expanding its Korean content slate with “Show Business” (working title), a sweeping period drama set against the backdrop of South Korea’s entertainment industry from the 1960s through the 1980s. The star-studded series brings together some of Korea’s most celebrated actors.

The drama follows Min-ja (Song), a determined woman who overcomes a difficult childhood to carve out her path in Korea’s burgeoning music scene. Song, fresh off her turn in Lunar New Year release “Dark Nuns,” leads the ensemble cast alongside “Squid Game” star Gong Yoo, who portrays her childhood friend Dong-gu. Their characters’ deep-rooted bond is tested as they navigate the cutthroat entertainment world together, with Gong’s character described as unpredictable yet uniquely responsive to Min-ja’s influence.

“Light Shop” star Kim Seol-hyun joins the cast as Min-hui, whose complex relationship with Min-ja evolves from childhood devotion to a nuanced rivalry. Cha Seung-won (“Uprising...

Song Hye-kyo (Descendants of the Sun) and Gong Yoo (Squid Game) are set to star in Show Business (Wt), a new series set against the backdrop of the gritty and intense ‘60s and ‘80s Korean entertainment industry.

Kim Seol-hyun (Light Shop), Cha Seung-won (Uprising) and Lee Hanee (The Fiery Priest) will also appear in the drama.

Song will play the role of Min-ja, a resilient woman shaped by a challenging childhood. While making her way through life, she sees an opportunity in the Korean music industry and boldly dives in, determined to make her mark.

Gong Yoo plays Dong-gu, Min-ja’s childhood friend. Having faced all kinds of situations together growing up, they enter the music industry side by side. Even though he is reckless and unpredictable, Dong-gu has a soft spot for Min-ja and listens to anything she says.

Kim plays Min-hui, who has held a love-hate relationship with Min-ja since childhood.

Netflix has revealed its 2025 slate of Korean films and television series, with the streamer cranking up the production of K-content to feed insatiable global demand.

In the scripted sphere, Netflix will debut a whopping 21 series in 2025. Of course, the crown jewel is the third and final season of Squid Game, that launches on June 27. Other highlights include the lavish period drama Dear Hongrang; the pulsating medical drama The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call; the Hospital Playlist spinoff Resident Playbook; the 80s set comedy Aema; and the action thriller Trigger.

Netflix Korea has quickly established itself as a leader in unscripted television and 2025 will see eight shows either debut or return to the streamer. Culinary Class Wars returns for its second season after breaking out and finding a worldwide audience, also Physical: 100 returns and expands into an international competition series with Physical: Asia. There are also new seasons of Single’s Inferno,...

Park Chan-wook, the Award-winning Korean filmmaker behind The Vengeance Trilogy, Thirst, and Stoker, has just wrapped principal photography on his latest feature, No Other Choice, Variety reports today.

The film began filming in August 2024 and is slated for release sometime later this year.

No Other Choice is an adaptation of Donald E. Westlake’s mystery thriller The Ax and follows “a middle-aged man named Man-soo who embarks on a determined job hunt after being unexpectedly terminated from his position at a paper company.”

The novel’s synopsis gives a fuller picture: “Burke Devore is a middle-aged manager at a paper company when the cost-cutting ax falls, and he is laid off. Eighteen months later and still unemployed, he puts a new spin on his job search — with agonizing care, Devore finds the seven men in the surrounding area who could take the job that rightfully should be his, and systematically kills them.

Passion Project

Award-winning Korean helmer Park Chan-wook has completed principal photography on his latest feature “No Other Choice,” distributor Cj Enm revealed Tuesday, alongside a first look for the project. The film, which began filming in August 2024, is slated for release later this year. The project marks Park’s first film directorial effort since his critically acclaimed “Decision to Leave” (2022), which earned him Best Director honors at Cannes.

Adapted from Donald E. Westlake’s mystery novel “The Ax,” the story follows a middle-aged man named Man-soo who embarks on a determined job hunt after being unexpectedly terminated from his position at a paper company. “Squid Game” star Lee Byung-hun takes on the lead role of Man-soo, while “Crash Landing on You” lead Son Ye-jin portrays his resilient wife A-ra. The stellar ensemble cast includes Lee Sung-min (“Handsome Guys”), Yeom Hye-ran (“The Glory”), Cha Seung-won (“Believer 2”), Yoo Yeon-seok (“Hospital Playlist...

Veteran Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook has wrapped production on No Other Choice, which stars Lee Byung-hun (Squid Game) and Son Ye-jin (Crash Landing on You).

The five-month shoot kicked off in August 2024, with Moho Film attached as the production company and Cj Enm as distributor. Above is a first-look image released by Cj.

Based on the 1997 novel “The Ax” by Donald Westlake, the film follows Man Soo (played by Lee), a man who is suddenly fired from a paper company. He is determined to find a new job and deals with those standing in his way.

Park Hee-soon (Moving), Lee Sung-min (The Spy Gone North), Yeom Hye-ran (The Glory), Cha Seung-won (Uprising) and Yoo Yeon-seok (Hospital Playlist) are also part of the cast for No Other Choice.

Park first talked about his plans to adapt Westlake’s novel during the Busan International Film Festival in 2009.

Park won Best Director at...

It’s shaping up to be a major year for South Korean cinema as Hong Sang-soo and Bong Joon Ho get ready for Berlinale premieres of their latest work and later this year we’ll see the premiere of Park Chan-wook’s next feature No Other Choice. With filming kicking off last August and now having just wrapped on January 15 after five months of filming, the first images have now arrived for one of our most-anticipated films of 2025.

Adapting Donald E. Westlake’s 1997 novel The Ax, which Costa-Gavras first adapted in 2005, the black comedy thriller follows a man laid off from the paper company he worked at for 25 years. Some time later and still jobless, he hits on a solution: to genuinely eliminate his competition. Adapted by Park Chan-wook, Lee Kyung-mi, Don McKellar (The Sympathizer), and Lee Ja-hye (Decision to Leave, The Handmaiden), the cast includes Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin,...

With Bong Joon-ho, Na Hong-jin, Pak Chan-wook, Takashi Miike, Park Hoon-jung having new movies in 2025, the year is already shaping up to be a great one, perhaps even signaling some sort of come-back for Korean cinema. At the same time, the directorial debut of Shu Qi, the return of Bi Gan and Edwin, and a number of rather interesting anime movies have us all excited here in Amp. Without further ado, here is a countdown of 35 films that are easily described as much anticipated, in random order.

1. All Before You by Annemarie Jacir (Palestine)

Yusuf spends his days moving between his farming village, Al Basma, and his work in the city of Jerusalem, enthusiastically working to find his place in the changing, modern world. Young and restless, he’s more interested in getting away from the confines of village life than becoming involved in its problems. Yusuf’s story is...

The South Korean entertainment industry has been impeccable in the quality and quantity of content it has churned out for the past few decades. Whether it's romance, drama, thriller, or horror, K-dramas have been ruling the streaming platforms, especially when it comes to giving its viewers the creepers. Mega hits like All of Us Are Dead, Sweet Home, and Revenant have unlocked new fears in the fans with their bone-chilling stories and heart-stopping jump scares.

Surprisingly, K-dramas have been meeting public demand on all fronts. Whether it’s to offer a unique spin to the zombie apocalypse or to weave a supernatural horror that will make the viewers think twice. Some of the entries below blend elements of other genres, here are a few K-horror series that shouldn’t be missed.

This article was updated on December 27, 2024, by Christopher Raley: K-horror series have become a staple of TV watching, just...

Over 2,500 film industry figures in South Korea have signed their names to a petition calling for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol after his misbegotten declaration of martial law on Tuesday.

Many of the country’s biggest names in film and K-drama — including Parasite director and multi-Oscar winner Bong Joon-ho, acclaimed auteur Park Chan-wook and A-list actors like Gang Dong-won (Peninsula), Son Ye Jin (Crash Landing on You) and Park Eun-bin (Extraordinary Attorney Woo) — signed their names to the document, as did 77 local film industry organizations, such as the Directors Guild of Korea and the Producers Guild of Korea.

Altogether, 2,518 Korean film professionals put their names down in support of the petition, which was open for 30 hours from Thursday to Friday, according to the Korea JoongAng Daily. Other high-profile names on the list were Kim Go-eun, Jun Ji-hyun and Cha Seung-won.

Korea’s entertainment business is hardly alone in...

Netflix continues to deliver in the action department, with the streaming giant having now set a 2025 release date for what sounds like a truly gripping martial arts epic. The upcoming series, superbly titled Last Samurai Standing and based on the manga “Ikusagami,” promises to deliver an “intriguing tale of survival and honor,” according to Netflix, and centers on 292 warriors who gather at a temple for a battle royale and the allure of a 100-billion-yen prize. So, think Squid Game but with samurai. We're sold.

Amid this mass fight to the death is our hero, set to be portrayed by Jun'ichi Okada, who must survive the slashing of samurai swords to save his wife and child. As per What’s on Netflix, as part of the streamer’s international release announcement, Last Samurai Standing will debut in 2025. While a more specific release date has yet to be announced, you can imagine...

Netflix is on something of an action movie hot streak right now thanks to the likes of Rebel Ridge, Hit Man, The Shadow Strays, and more. To the delight of action fans everywhere, the trend continues with the brutal and bloody martial arts epic, Uprising. The historical war movie is now available to stream on the platform, and reactions from both critics and audiences have started to emerge.

Kate Snchez of But Why Tho? A Geek Community heaps praise on Uprising for standing out for all the right reasons.

The choice of culture, history, and sins in one persons life and personal connections makes Uprising (2024) more than just another movie in the robust sageuk genre. It stands out for all the right reasons.

Daniel Hart of Ready Steady Cut awarded the movie a near-perfect 4/5, calling Uprising a treat and applauding the movie for not holding back.

Uprising does not hold...

If you’re eagerly waiting to watch Uprising (2024), the highly anticipated Korean historical war action film, you’re in luck! Following its premiere as the opening film at the 29th Busan International Film Festival on October 2, 2024, Uprising is now set for its global streaming release on Netflix on October 11, 2024. Whether you’re a fan of historical epics or South Korean cinema, here’s everything you need to know about how and where to stream Uprising (2024) online.

Also, Read – 40 Best Korean Movies of the 21st Century

The film takes us back to a tumultuous time in Korea’s history, focusing on two childhood friends—Cheon Yeong, a slave with extraordinary martial prowess, and Jong-ryeo, the son of a powerful military official. As fate would have it, the two are pitted against each other on opposite sides of the conflict during the Japanese invasions of Korea. With performances by leading actors...

Don’t get me wrong, the second I see the name Park Chan-Wook, I’m sat up, but I had a really hard time sitting through the new film he co-wrote, Uprising. I think it’s something like when your thoughts and your words don’t match; we all know that the man is terrific at making convoluted films with fantastic twists, but when the job of presenting the story is someone else’s, there’s a chance it won’t land in the same way. Not everyone’s execution is the same, and that’s the gap that makes Uprising a little bit difficult to watch. But, at the same time, if you’re a fan of some bloodshed and cool action shots, then Uprising might be right up your alley. The film tells a story of brotherhood and friendship in the Joseon period. Cheon-Yeong is enslaved to be...

“Uprising” is a Korean movie starring Gang Dong-won, Park Jung-min, Cha Seung-won, and Kim Shin-rok. It is directed by Kim Sang-man.

“Uprising” transports viewers to the grandiose realm of Korean cinema, presenting an epic tale filled with adventures, class struggles of the medieval era, slave uprisings, and, most notably, breathtaking combat scenes. This film centers around one of the Japanese invasions of Korea, weaving a narrative of friendship, bitterness, and vengeance between two childhood friends who find themselves divided by social status and circumstances following the arrival of the Japanese.

The film showcases a series of stunning, highly impressive scenes, particularly during the Japanese invasion and the climactic finale. Director Kim Sang-man displays his directorial prowess with visually dynamic sequences, rich in photographic contrasts, and powerful in editing and sound design. These sequences undoubtedly make “Uprising” worth watching for its epic and spectacular treatment, brimming with sound effects, dramatic leaps,...

“Uprising” is a new live-action South Korean-produced historical war action feature, directed by Kim Sang-man, starring Gang Dong-won, Park Jeong-min, Cha Seung-won, Kim Shin-rok, Jin Seon-kyu and Jung Sung-il, streaming October 11, 2024 on Netflix:

“…’Cheon ‘, a slave with remarkable martial prowess struggles to break free from an unjust servitude…

“…while ‘Jong-ryeo’, Cheon Yeong's master, deals with war and chaos…”

Click the images to enlarge…...