The 30th Busan International Film Festival has unveiled its On Screen selections, featuring six premium drama series that will make their world premieres on the big screen before hitting streaming platforms, led by “The Resurrected,” starring international icon Shu Qi.
The Netflix production, co-directed by Leste Chan and Hsu Chao-jen, pairs Shu Qi with Lee Sinje as two mothers who resurrect a deceased voice phishing scammer to seek vengeance for their daughters’ deaths.
The lineup showcases Netflix’s dominance in the premium Asian content space, with the streamer claiming four of the six selections. The international mix includes three Korean productions and three international series set to screen during the festival.
Leading the Korean contingent is “As You Stood By,” the latest suspense thriller from director Lee Jeong-lim, whose previous credits include the genre-bending hits “VIP” and “Revenant.” The Netflix series stars Jeon So-nee (“Soulmate”) and Lee You-mi (“Squid Game”) as two women whose deep bond is tested.
“Dear X” brings together an A-list Korean creative team, with co-directors Lee Eungbok (“Mr. Sunshine,” “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God”) and Park Sohyeon helming the TVING production. The melodramatic suspense series stars Kim You-jung and Kim Young-dae, with Kim Do-hoon and Lee Yu-leum in supporting roles. The story follows Baek A-jin (Kim You-jung), a woman who adopts a mask to escape her circumstances and climb to power, leaving destruction in her wake.
Rounding out the Korean selections is “The Murky Stream,” a period action drama set in late Joseon era directed by Choo Chang-min. The Disney+ series features Rowoon, Shin Ye-eun, Park Seo-ham and Park Ji-hwan in a tale of resistance against corruption, centered around Gyeonggang, a vital commercial hub of the era.
The international selections span Japan and Chinese-language territories. “Last Samurai Standing” is an action spectacle co-directed by Fujii Michihito, Yamaguchi Kento and Yamamoto Toru. The Netflix series, set in 1878 Japan, follows 292 warriors competing in a brutal survival game, with Okada Junichi and Fujisaki Yumia leading the cast.
From the same streamer comes “Romantics Anonymous,” a romantic series directed by Tsukikawa Sho (“Let Me Eat Your Pancreas”). The series pairs Oguri Shun with Han Hyo-joo as emotionally reserved individuals who connect through their shared passion for chocolate.
The On Screen section, launched in 2021, reflects the festival’s recognition of serialized storytelling as an evolving cinematic form. Each series will screen two episodes during the festival.
The 30th Busan International Film Festival runs Sept. 17-26, with the 20th Asian Contents & Film Market taking place Sept. 20-23.
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