Korean Films That Skipped Summer Return in Force This September

Six Major Releases from "Bigwang" to "Busalnam" This September
A Crucial Test for the Future of Film Investment

Korean films, which were overshadowed by foreign releases in theaters over the summer, are making a strong comeback in September. A total of six highly anticipated titles—including new works from renowned directors, the finale to a popular series, fact-based investigative dramas, and a Hollywood remake—will be released one after another this month. Due to the potential impact of their box office performance on future investment sentiment in the film industry, industry interest is mounting.

Still cut from the movie "The Intern".

According to the film industry on September 2, six Korean movies will premiere week by week throughout the month. The first to open is "Bigwang," directed by Lee Jiwon, which hits screens today. The story follows star baseball player Junggu (Ryu Seung-ryong) and top star Nammi (Ha Jiwon), whose lives are upended when Junggu’s illegitimate daughter Dongju (Kim Si-a), falsely accused of murder, suddenly appears before them.

Ryu Seung-ryong described the film as "a story about light entering a damp life." He further compared it to Homer's epic "Odyssey," calling it "a journey home." After finishing filming in 2021, the movie makes its way to audiences after five years.

On September 16, the Korean remake of the Hollywood film "The Intern," reinterpreted to reflect Korean sensibilities, is set for release. The storyline centers on Sunwoo (Han Sohee), a young CEO, and Kiho (Choi Min-sik), a senior intern with 37 years of experience, as he joins her company.

Choi Min-sik commented, "I believed that portraying generational conflict and harmony from a Korean perspective could bring a new flavor." Director Kim Doyoung, who helmed the film, added, "We layered the characters’ vulnerabilities and loneliness more realistically on top of the original framework."

Movie still cut from the film "Bigwang".

The highlight of the Korean cinema lineup comes on September 23, when three films—"Tazza: Song of Beelzebub," "Assassin(s)," and "Possible Love"—will premiere on the same day.

"Tazza: Song of Beelzebub" tells the story of Jang Taeyoung (Byun Yohan), who finds success in online casinos, and his close friend Park Taeyoung (Noh Jaewon), who strips him of everything. The two face off again in the global gambling world. This is the final installment of the "Tazza" series, which began in 2006 and has continued for 20 years.

Director Choi Gook-hee stated, "I focused on the characters’ inner worlds, such as jealousy, envy, and betrayal," and emphasized that this film offers a distinct and independent universe separate from its predecessors. Byun Yohan also expressed confidence, saying, "Even those who haven’t seen the previous entries can be fully immersed."

Still cut from the movie 'Assassin(s)'.

"Assassin(s)" is a mystery thriller that investigates the conspiracy and figures behind the 1974 assassination attempt on the First Lady. Detective Cheolgu (Yoo Haejin), senior newspaper editor Jaehwan (Park Haeil), and rookie reporter Youngil (Lee Minho) each pursue the same truth from different vantage points. While inspired by an actual episode in modern history, the film adds cinematic imagination to real events.

The director’s chair is held by Hur Jin-ho, known for works such as "Christmas in August," "One Fine Spring Day," and "The Last Princess." The film was invited to the Gala Presentation section at the Toronto International Film Festival, garnering early attention abroad.

Still cut from the movie 'Possible Love'.

"Possible Love" marks director Lee Changdong’s first new film in eight years since "Burning." The story follows a laid-off worker couple and a documentary filmmaker couple who confront their different lives and desires. The cast includes Jeon Doyeon, Sul Kyunggu, Jo Insung, and Jo Yeojeong.

The film has been invited to the competition section of the Venice International Film Festival and the Special Presentation section of the Toronto International Film Festival. It was also selected as Korea’s submission for the International Feature Film category at next year’s Academy Awards. The jury praised the film’s "exceptional cinematic quality and clear message."

The final Korean film of September is "Rebirth Man: The Red," set for release on September 30. The plot follows Seokhwan (Koo Kyohwan), a job-seeker whose only asset is baseless confidence, as he discovers he can come back to life 72 hours after death—leading to a series of unusual events.

Still cut from the movie 'Rebirth Man: The Red'.

The film is based on a Naver Webtoon and is directed by Baek Jong-yeol, known for "The Beauty Inside" and "Believer 2." Director Baek stated, "I was drawn to the appeal of an ordinary job-seeker displaying extraordinary abilities," emphasizing that he stayed true to the core 'resurrection' element of the original work.

The industry sees this wave of releases as a litmus test for the sluggish investment market. According to the Korean Film Council, box office revenue in the first half of this year totaled 579 billion won, an increase of 41.9% over the same period last year. However, only twenty-two Korean films have been confirmed for release this year, a sharp decrease compared to the annual forty films that typically made it to theaters in the past.

Although theater revenue is showing signs of recovery, the production and investment market remains contracted. If the September releases achieve significant box office success, the virtuous cycle from investment to production and release could be revived. Conversely, if the results fall short of expectations, conservative sentiment among investors will only intensify.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.