By Kim Hyelin
Video = Official YouTube channel of Warner Bros. 

This year's lineup of Korean movies and dramas is expected to excite and touch audiences around the world. 

Perhaps the most anticipated work is director Bong Joon-ho's "Mickey 17," his first film since "Parasite" (2019), which won four Academy Awards. The global trailer released by the movie's distributor Warner Bros. of the U.S. said the science fiction thriller is slated for global release at theaters on March 29.  

About a human clone sent to explore an ice-covered planet, "Mickey 7" is based on the eponymous novel by American science-fiction and fantasy writer Edward Ashton. Actor Robert Pattinson, who starred in "The Batman" (2022) and "Twilight" (2008), plays the lead role and is joined by actor Steven Yeun, who played the protagonist in "Minari" (2021). 

Actors read the script for the forthcoming historical period film "War and Revolt." (Netflix)

Director Park Chan-wook, who won Best Director at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival for "Decision to Leave," is producing a historical action movie for Netflix titled "War and Revolt." Kim Sang-man is the director.

Set during the Imjin War (1592-98), which broke out after Japan invaded the Korean Peninsula, the film has as its main characters Jong-ryeo, the son of a leading military officer of the Joseon Dynasty, and his servant Cheon-yeong. They grow up together but meet again as enemies, with Jong-ryeo as the closest military official to King Seonjo and Cheon-yeong a "righteous army" soldier, or one who voluntarily fights in an armed conflict to defend the country.

The cast includes actors Gang Dong-won, Park Jung-min and Cha Seung-won.

Sequels with unconfirmed release dates are also attracting attention. The action thriller "The Roundup: No Way Out 4" centers on detective Ma Seok-do (played by actor Ma Dong-seok) fighting illegal gambling and criminal rings.

Director Ryoo Seung-wan will release "Veteran 2," a sequel to "Veteran" (2015) starring actor Hwang Jung-min in the lead role as well as Jung Hae-in. 

The cast of Season 2 of "Squid Game" (Netflix)

Sequels to and spin-offs of popular works will also appear on over-the-top (OTT) platforms. 

Netflix will release Season 2 of the smash hit series "Squid Game" (2021), which holds the record on the OTT site for most streaming hours in taking the world by storm. This season stars actor Lee Jung-jae, who will reprise his role as protagonist Seong Gi-hun, as well as fellow cast members Lee Byung-hun, Yim Si-wan, Kang Haneul and Gong Yoo. 

Netflix will also premiere the second season of the supernatural drama "Hellbound" directed by Yeon Sang-ho and the third of "Sweet Home" directed by Lee Eung-bok and Park So-hyun.

The second season of the historical drama "Pachinko" starring actors Youn Yuh-jung and Lee Min-ho will debut on Apple TV+. Based on the bestselling novel of the same title by Korean American author Min Jin Lee, the series depicts four generations of ethnic Korean residents in Japan from the 1910s to the 80s. 

kimhyelin211@korea.kr