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The Korea Times

By Baek Byung-yeul
Netflix aims to solidify its streaming service leadership with various Korean series, shows and movies this year, including the highly anticipated Squid Game season 3, Culinary Class Wars season 2 and Physical: Asia featuring Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao.
“Our goal this year is to be there in those special moments when people find their favourite content in their busy lives,” Kang Dong-han, vice-president of Netflix Korea, said, unveiling a release line-up including seven movies, 11 series and seven entertainment shows produced in Korea.
“We aim to be the first service that comes to mind when viewers want to find content they like.”

Netflix has particularly focused on entertainment shows this year: the Korean athletic competition show Physical: 100, which selects the contestant with the best physique, will return this year for its third run under a new title, Physical: Asia, according to Yoo Ki-hwan, Netflix Korea’s director of content.
“Physical: 100 returns as Physical: Asia. While previous seasons had 100 contestants competing to select the best one, this time (teams representing countries in Asia) will compete against each other. It will be a competition of nations with representative athletes participating from each country,” Yoo said.
Notably, the Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao will participate as one of the representatives for the Philippines.
Culinary Class Wars, a survival cooking show that gained global popularity last year by showcasing clashes between established chefs and skilled but lesser-known chefs, is also set to return with a second season this year.

“Culinary Class Wars is also returning for Season 2. The show was the first Netflix entertainment show to rank first for three consecutive weeks in the non-variety category.
“Since the start of open recruitment for chefs to participate in the new season, over 1,000 chefs have applied,” the director said.
Korean original series and films remain the cornerstone of Netflix Korea’s success. Among this year’s releases, Squid Game Season 3, slated for June 27, stands as the most awaited title.
Another Netflix Korea original series, When Life Gives You Tangerines, starring IU and Park Bo-gum, is also expected to receive significant attention.
“(IU and Park) will show the best chemistry imaginable,” the show’s producer, Kim Won-suk, said. “Viewers will be able to see a different side of Park Bo-gum than they might expect. IU will show all the charming qualities we’ve seen from her so far.”


The 16-episode series will be released in four-episode batches on March 7, March 14, March 21, and March 28.
Netflix will also present seven movies made by Korean production teams this year. Train To Busan, Hellbound and Parasyte: The Grey director Yeon Sang-ho’s new work Revelations is produced by Oscar-winning director Alfonso Cuarón, while Netflix’s first Korean animated film, Lost in Starlight, is also attracting much attention by casting A-listers Kim Tae-ri and Hong Kyung as voice actors.
The line-up also includes Mantis, a spin-off of Netflix’s 2023 movie Kill Boksoon, as well as The Great Flood, starring Squid Game season 1 star Park Hae-soo and Itaewon Class star Kim Da-mi.
Read the full story at The Korea Times.
Additional reporting by Staff Reporter


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Donnie Yen in a still from Seven Swords, Tsui Hark’s 2005 sword-fighting epic and one of three notable wuxia films shot this century. Photo: Handout

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Charlie Young in a still from Seven Swords. Photo: Handout

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Netflix pushes Korean content including boxer Manny Pacquiao in Physical: Asia, successor to Physical: 100, and new seasons of top shows


Netflix pushes Korean content including boxer Manny Pacquiao in Physical: Asia, successor to Physical: 100, and new seasons of top shows.
