Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
Korean film industry pins hopes on star-studded titles in 2026
A poster for director Na Hong-jin's upcoming movie "Hope" / Courtesy of Plus M Entertainment
By Baek Byung-yeul
The Korean film industry is looking to 2026 for a potential resurgence as it attempts to break free from a prolonged slump in ticket sales.
While the total number of commercial films being released remains at around 20 titles — down significantly from the pre-pandemic average of roughly 40 per year — the industry is betting big on high-profile projects led by top-tier stars and famous directors to bring audiences back to the theaters.
Actor Zo In-sung is set to dominate screens this year, appearing in three of the most anticipated films including “Humint,” “Hope” and award-winning director Lee Chang-dong’s Netflix title “Possible Love.”
Zo is joined by veteran actors like Choi Min-sik, Sul Kyung-gu, Jeon Do-yeon and Yoo Hae-jin.
A poster for “Humint” / Courtesy of NEW
Bringing ‘Hope’ to Korean cinema?
The summer season will be headlined by “Hope,” which marks the long-awaited return of director Na Hong-jin, known for hits such as “The Chaser” (2008), “The Yellow Sea” (2010) and “The Wailing” (2016).
“Hope” is a science fiction thriller set in a remote village near Korea’s Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) where residents encounter a mysterious presence. The film has already garnered buzz globally for its massive production scale and a cast that features Korean stars Zo and Hwang Jung-min, as well as Hollywood actors Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander.
Director Ryoo Seung-wan will target the Lunar New Year holiday audience with his espionage action film “Humint.” Slated for release on Feb. 11, the film depicts a tense confrontation between North and South Korean secret agents in Vladivostok, Russia. The movie features actors Zo, Park Jeong-min and Shin Se-kyeong.
Director Yeon Sang-ho, best known for his zombie movie "Train to Busan" (2016), is keeping pace for with zombie action film "Colony" which stars Jun Ji-hyun in a rare big-screen appearance alongside Koo Kyo-hwan. Yeon is also preparing "Paradise Lost," which features veteran actor Kim Hyun-joo, who previously worked with Yeon on the Netflix series “Hellbound” and the Netflix movie “Jung_E” (2023).
Actor Yoo Hae-jin in a scene from "The King's Warden" / Courtesy of Showbox
Distributors lean on proven franchises, star power
To minimize risk in a challenging market, the country's top production and distribution companies are focusing on sequels to mega-hit movies.
CJ ENM is counting on the return of beloved stories with "Ode to My Father 2" and "Tazza: Song of Beelzebub,” the fourth installment in the gambling action franchise that began with the 2006 hit "Tazza: The High Rollers."
Directed by Yoon Je-kyoon, “Ode to My Father” was a box office sensation in 2014, garnering over 14 million viewers. Yoon also directed the sequel and actors Lee Sung-min and Kang Ha-neul will take on the roles of a father and son navigating the social upheavals of Korea in the 1980s.
Showbox will release “The King’s Warden” on Feb. 4. The historical drama, directed by Jang Hang-jun, features Yoo Hae-jin as a village chief who takes in a deposed king.
Lotte Entertainment is finally bringing "Heaven: To the Land of Happiness" to theaters after a long delay. The road movie directed by Im Sang-soo stars Choi Min-sik and Park Hae-il as an unlikely duo on a final journey. Additionally, a Korean remake of the Hollywood hit "The Intern" is in development with Choi Min-sik taking on the role originally played by Robert De Niro and Han So-hee as the character originally portrayed by Anne Hathaway.