“Next on Netflix: 2025 Korean Films,” held at a hotel in Busan’s Haeundae district on October 4 (Image courtesy of Netflix)
SEOUL, Oct. 7 (Korea Bizwire) – As the curtains rose on the 29th Busan International Film Festival, Netflix seized the moment to showcase its upcoming slate of Korean films, underscoring the streaming giant’s growing influence in the global cinema landscape.
At an event titled “Next on Netflix: 2025 Korean Films,” held at a hotel in Busan’s Haeundae district on October 4, directors of seven original films set for release in 2025 shared their experiences working with the platform.
“Unlike in a theater where the audience stays until the end, Netflix viewers hold the remote control and can stop the film at any moment,” said Kim Byung-woo, director of the upcoming “The Great Flood.” “This ‘viewer control’ pushes me to consider how to keep the story engaging throughout.”
Namkoong Sun, helming “Love Untangled,” lauded Netflix’s global reach. “It’s a platform that brings even the most distant viewers close. It’s thrilling to imagine my film suddenly appearing before audiences worldwide, nestled among diverse content.”
Netflix’s 2025 Korean film lineup represents a significant expansion, with seven original films compared to five this year. The roster spans various genres, including action, thriller, romantic comedy, and science fiction.
Netflix’s 2025 Korean film lineup represents a significant expansion (Image courtesy of Netflix)
The announcement, made against the backdrop of South Korea’s premier film festival, marks the first time Netflix has unveiled its film lineup in such a high-profile manner at the event. It’s a move that industry observers say reflects the growing clout of streaming platforms in the film industry.
Byun Sung-hyun, following up his Netflix hit “Kill Boksoon” (2023) with “Good News,” highlighted the platform’s global feedback loop. “The experience of receiving messages from international viewers was both novel and exciting,” he said, also praising Netflix’s robust support for creators.
Han Ji-won, director of Netflix’s first Korean animated film, “Lost in Starlight,” emphasized the unique opportunities the platform provides. “This project was made possible because of our collaboration with Netflix,” she noted.
Veteran director Yeon Sang-ho, known for Netflix hits like “Hellbound” and “Parasyte: The Grey,” spoke about maintaining cinematic quality on the streaming platform. “I’m focused on how viewers will experience cinematically crafted films on Netflix,” he explained.
The event also shed light on Netflix’s content strategy. Kim Tae-won, the creative director of Korean films and series at Netflix, emphasized that the lineup was curated based on compelling storytelling rather than the directors’ established reputations.
“We’re committed to delivering a high-quality audiovisual experience, even on smaller screens,” Kim stated. “Our philosophy is to create films that will remain visually and aurally impressive even a century from now.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
