Korea Went Wild First — Now This Netflix Film Is No.1 in 13 Countries!

Korean cinema continues its global streak, and this time it’s Revelations, the latest film from Hellbound director Yeon Sang-ho, that’s leading the charge.

Released on March 21, the Netflix original thriller shot to the top of Korea’s Netflix Top 10 upon debut, and quickly expanded its dominance across borders — ranking No.1 in 13 countries, including Vietnam, Taiwan, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Morocco.

According to FlixPatrol’s March 24 data, Revelations scored 523 points, making it the No. 2 film globally on Netflix, just behind The Electric State, which came in first with 742 points. The disaster documentary Tornado: Caught in the Storm followed in third with 379 points.

Revelations, based on the popular 2022 Kakao Webtoon of the same name (story by Yeon Sang-ho, art by Choi Kyu-seok), centers around the disappearance of a young girl and the twisted intersections of a pastor, a detective, and an ex-convict. Ryu Jun-yeol plays Pastor Sung Min-chan, who believes punishing the culprit is a divine mission. Shin Hyun-been and Shin Min-jae also star.

The film, with a runtime of 122 minutes and a 15+ rating, garnered attention from the outset thanks to the involvement of Oscar-winning director Alfonso Cuarón (Roma, Gravity) as executive producer.

Within a day of its release, the film topped Korea’s “Top 10 Movies Today on Netflix,” with viewers quickly flooding social media with reactions like “Ryu Jun-yeol’s acting alone is worth watching,” “The inner conflict is terrifyingly well portrayed,” “Yeon Sang-ho delivers yet again,” “Best movie I’ve seen in a while,” and “The acting? Insane.”

In Revelations, Ryu plays a local pastor in a small town whose faith becomes increasingly distorted as he becomes obsessed with executing justice. His descent into fanaticism ultimately leads to tragic consequences. Shin Hyun-been plays a detective haunted by visions of her dead sibling — marking her first on-screen pairing with Ryu Jun-yeol.

The film also marks Ryu’s first big-screen return since the 2023 sci-fi sequel Alienoid Part 2. After appearing in Netflix’s original series The 8 Show last year, he takes on an intense role exploring the intersection of faith and madness.

Director Yeon praised Ryu’s dedication during a press event, saying, “He puts thought into even the smallest details, like how he walks. His commitment to the role is incredibly sincere.”

Meanwhile, another Netflix Korean title is making waves of its own. When Life Gives You Tangerines — the emotional epic set on Jeju Island — has secured the No. 4 global spot on Netflix for two days straight. It also topped local charts in six countries, including Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Indonesia.

The 16-episode drama traces the lives of Ae-soon (IU), a rebellious free spirit, and Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum), a stoic yet loyal soul, as they grow up together through the seasons of 1960s Jeju. Written by Im Sang-chun (When the Camellia Blooms, Fight for My Way) and directed by Kim Won-seok (My Mister, Signal, Misaeng), the series has drawn praise for its poetic storytelling and heartfelt performances.

The first act (episodes 1–4, “Spring”) dropped at launch, followed by Act 2 (“Summer”) on March 14, and Act 3 (“Autumn”) on March 21. The final act (“Winter,” episodes 13–16) premieres on March 28, marking the series finale.

As the story moves into its final chapters, focus has shifted to Ae-soon’s adult daughter Geum-myeong (also played by IU). While some viewers expressed disappointment over reduced screen time for Park Bo-gum’s Gwan-sik, new characters — including Lee Jun-young as ex-boyfriend Yeong-beom and Kim Seon-ho as her potential husband Choong-seop — are drawing new interest.

Both Revelations and When Life Gives You Tangerines are proving once again that Korean content continues to resonate deeply with global audiences, offering layered stories, powerful performances, and emotional impact.