Song Joong-ki leads film ‘My Name is Loh Ki-wan’; new shows to unfold

(From left) Song Joong-ki in a scene from ‘My Name is Loh Ki-wan,’ Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won for ‘Queen of Tears.’

Fans are in for a treat in 2024, as Song Joong-ki will star as a North Korean defector in the new film “My Name is Loh Ki-wan,” while Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won will join forces in the new series “Queen of Tears.”

The return of the Korean superstars and glimpses of Korean-helmed projects await longtime fans and binge streamers, as revealed in an omnibus trailer on Tuesday, Feb. 6.

‘My Name is Loh Ki-wan’

Song Joong-ki is making his return to the film industry as a North Korean defector named Loh Ki-wan slated for a March 1 release.

Based on the novel “I Met Loh Ki-wan” by author Cho Hae-jin, the film tells the story of a defector who is desperate to survive in Belgium. It also stars Choi Sung-eun and Jo Han-chul.

‘Queen of Tears’

Kim Ji-won and Kim Soo-hyun in a scene in the series “Queen of Tears.”

Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won will take on the roles of a married couple “in crisis” in the upcoming series “Queen of Tears” to be released on March 9.

The story revolves around Hong Hae-in (Kim Ji-won), an heiress to the fictional Queens Group who is in marital turmoil with Baek Hyeon-u (Kim Soo-hyun), who serves as the company’s legal director.

“Marriage or war of the century? As this couple weathers a marital crisis, they discover a miraculous new beginning that rewrites their love story,” according to a release.

They will be joined by Park Sung-hoon, Kwak Dong-yeon, and Lee Joo-bin.

New series

(From left) Gong Yoo, Seo Hyun-jin. Images: Courtesy of Netflix Korea

Also gearing up for a release in the first half of the year is “Chicken Nugget” starring Ryu Seung-ryong and Ahn Jae-hong, where a heartbroken father discovers his daughter suddenly turned into a chicken nugget.

The Gong Yoo and Seo Hyun-jin-led series “The Trunk” will capture viewers’ hearts in the second half of 2024, as well as the premiere of new shows “Parasyte: The Grey,” “The 8 Show,” “Hierarchy,” and Go Youn-jung-led drama “Resident Playbook.”

In the latter part of the year, Kim Yun-seok, Yoon Kye-sang, and EXO’s Chanyeol will find themselves in different timelines, with Kim and Yoon running two pension houses. Also expected to air are political drama “The Whirlwind” and “Mr. Plankton.”

Sequels

Lee Jung-jae in a scene from “Squid Game” season 2. Image: Courtesy of Netflix Korea

The sequels to the hit shows “Gyeongseong Creature,” “Hellbound,” and “Zombieverse” will also hit a streaming platform, while the third part of the Song Kang-led series “Sweet Home” will also be aired sometime this year.

The revenge of Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) is also expected to air in 2024 which also features the return of Gong Yoo, Lee Byung-hun, and Wi Ha-jun. Details about its storyline and release date are yet to be released, as of this writing.