Korean Film Hits No.1 Globally on Netflix But Got Slammed with a Low Rating at Home

Despite dominating global charts immediately after its release, one Korean film is sparking heated debate due to its highly polarizing viewer reactions. That film is Netflix's original movie 'Revelations', directed by Yeon Sang-ho and based on his own webtoon of the same name.

Revelations reunites Yeon Sang-ho, the creator of the hit series 'Hellbound', with writer Choi Gyu-seok. The film follows Seong Min-chan (played by Ryu Jun-yeol), a devout pastor who believes all events are divine revelations, and Lee Yeon-hee (Shin Hyun-been), a detective haunted by visions of her deceased sister, as they pursue their own truths through a chilling mystery.

The film shot to No.1 on Netflix’s global chart within just three days of its premiere. However, it has faced harsh criticism from Korean viewers, with domestic ratings plummeting despite its international success and high watch time.

Mixed Reviews: Praise Abroad, Criticism at Home

According to a report from Consumer Insight released on April 3, Revelations received a viewer satisfaction score of just 55 out of 100, falling well below the weekly OTT content average of 69. The report attributed this under performance to the film’s “predictable storyline and ending.”

On Naver’s movie portal, the film fared similarly, earning a score of 5.63 out of 10, which signals a highly polarizing reception. Many viewers criticized the weak character development and a lack of narrative coherence. Comments included, “The logic is hell-bound,” and “So many things don’t make sense, and the plot unfolds exactly as expected.” Another viewer wrote, “The characters act in totally unbelievable ways.”

Director Yeon Sang-ho, best known for 'Train to Busan', was not spared from the criticism. Some viewers questioned his continued presence in the industry, with remarks like, “Why does he keep making movies?” and “Aside from Train to Busan, what’s actually worked?”

Lead actress Shin Hyun-been also came under fire for her performance. One viewer summed it up bluntly: “No words, really.” Others were harsher, calling the movie “a mess of a plot” and “painfully forced.”

Some viewers expressed their disappointment more emphatically. One wrote, “This is the first time I’ve ever written a 1-star review… there’s zero coherence.” Another added, “Worst of the worst. I’d give it zero or even a minus if I could.”

Still, Revelations isn’t without its supporters. Some viewers gave the film a perfect 10 out of 10, singling out Ryu Jun-yeol’s intense and transformative performance as the highlight. Comments such as “Ryu Jun-yeol carried the whole film” and “His presence is insane” reflect the strong impression he left on audiences.

Others defended the film against the backlash, suggesting that the criticism may be overblown or rooted in discomfort. One viewer wrote, “I don’t get the low scores—maybe it’s just making some people uncomfortable?” while another commented, “I actually really enjoyed it. If you don’t watch it with bias, it’s solid.” Even viewers who found weaknesses in the film noted, “Sure, the female lead felt a bit weak, but Ryu Jun-yeol's performance blew me away.”

Some praised the deeper meaning behind the story. “It really shows how ugly human instinct becomes when people are given excuses… and how trauma shapes lives,” one viewer said. “Loved it. Great acting, too.”

A Global Hit, Regardless of Divided Opinions

Despite the controversy, Revelations has continued to dominate Netflix’s Global Top 10 for Non-English Films, holding the #1 spot for two consecutive weeks. It racked up 5.7 million views in just three days, based on total viewing hours divided by runtime.

This marks the first Korean film to top Netflix’s global chart since 'Black Knight' in Spring 2023. The film currently ranks in the Top 10 across 65 countries, including Japan, France, and Mexico.

Lead actor Ryu Jun-yeol expressed his gratitude for the global response, saying, “I’m so grateful… I really didn’t expect this at all.”

In the film, Ryu plays Seong Min-chan, a devout pastor leading a small church who receives what he believes is a divine message: to punish the person responsible for a mysterious disappearance. As he follows this “revelation,” his character descends into madness, delivering an emotionally charged and psychologically intense performance.

Explaining why he chose the role, Ryu said, “It’s not really about religion. It’s about belief—what people cling to as truth. I felt that would resonate.” He added, “It mixes entertainment with philosophy, and I think people are responding to both.”