Knock-off cast: A star-studded lineup for Disney’s new Korean crime series
Kim Soohyun and Cho Boah are set to headline the upcoming Korean crime series Knock-Off, slated for a 2025 release on Disney. Known for his roles in “My Love from The Star,” “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay,” and “Queen of Tears,” Kim Soohyun will team up with Cho Boah, who has captivated audiences in “Tale of the Nine Tailed” and “Military Prosecutor Doberman.”
A dive into the counterfeit world
Knock-Off delves into the shadowy world of counterfeit goods. The story follows a man whose life is shattered by the 1997 Asian financial crisis. In a desperate bid to rebuild his life, he becomes entangled in the knock-off goods trade, quickly rising to the top of the counterfeit market. This ascent puts him on a collision course with his ex-girlfriend, now a special police officer dedicated to cracking down on the fake goods trade.
Disney has been aggressively expanding its Korean content library, releasing ten shows in 2024 alone. The upcoming slate includes titles like The Tyrant, Unmasked, Seoul Busters, Light Shop, and the crime thriller Gangnam B-Side, which will premiere at the Busan Film Festival.
Premium dramas on the horizon
Looking ahead to 2025, Disney’s lineup features premium, talent-driven scripted dramas such as Tempest, Low Life, and Nine Puzzles. These shows promise to deliver high-quality storytelling and compelling performances, further solidifying Disney’s commitment to Korean content.
Rich haul for ‘Poor Things’
Poor Things, the 2023 film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, has garnered significant acclaim, winning the FIPRESCI Grand Prix and being named the film of the year 2024 by the International Federation of Film Critics. The film premiered at the Venice Festival, where it won the Golden Lion for best film. It has since added two Golden Globes, five BAFTAs, and four Oscars to its impressive list of accolades.
The FIPRESCI Grand Prix will be presented on September 20 at the opening gala of the 72nd San Sebastian Festival, where the film will also be screened.
Busan International Film Festival: A showcase of Korean cinema
The Busan International Film Festival has announced its selections for the Korean Cinema Today – Special Premiere section, featuring five films and six TV series. This section aims to highlight the latest and most prominent contemporary Korean commercial films.
World premieres and notable titles
While A Normal Family by Hur Jin-ho had its first screening last year, the other four films are world premieres. These include:
- A Girl with Closed Eyes: A thriller exploring the complex relationship between a criminal and a detective, starring Kim Minha and Moon Choi.
- Bogota: City of the Lost: A story about Korean immigrants in Colombia who become smugglers.
- Dirty Money: A crime drama about two corrupt detectives, marking the directorial debut of Kim Minsu.
- Hear Me: Our Summer: A remake of the 2009 Taiwanese film “Hear Me.”
The On Screen section features titles like Beyond Goodbye, a Japanese melodrama, and Born for the Spotlight, a Taiwanese film completing a trilogy.
Korean TV series to watch
The Korean titles in the On Screen section include:
- Dongjae, the Good or the Bastard: A spin-off of the acclaimed drama “Stranger.”
- Gangnam B-Side: A crime action drama centered around a missing person case.
- Hellbound Season 2: Directed by Yeon Sang-ho and written by Choi Gyu-seok.
- Way Back Love: A teenage coming-of-age fantasy romance involving a grim reaper.
Screen Australia: New board appointment
Award-winning producer Darren Dale has been appointed to the Screen Australia board for a three-year term. Dale is the managing director of Blackfella Films, a First Nations-owned production company. His notable credits include “First Australians,” “Total Control,” and “Redfern Now.”
Dale also serves on the boards of the Sydney Film Festival, the Sydney Festival, and the National Institute of Dramatic Art. Additionally, he is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The appointment was announced by the federal minister for the arts.
For more information on the mentioned movies and series, check out their trailers and details:
- Knock-Off
- The Tyrant
- Unmasked
- Seoul Busters
- Light Shop
- Gangnam B-Side
- Tempest
- Low Life
- Nine Puzzles
- Poor Things
- A Girl with Closed Eyes
- Bogota: City of the Lost
- Dirty Money
- Hear Me: Our Summer
- Beyond Goodbye
- Born for the Spotlight
- Dongjae, the Good or the Bastard
- Hellbound Season 2
- Way Back Love