K-Botak: K-Drama and Korean Movies

This episode is another special focused on one amazing actor through the lens of a few select works, in this case Lee Sung Min.

Lee Sung Min had an incredible 2022, with standout roles in Juvenile Justice, Reborn Rich, Remember and Shadow Detective. This prolific actor has been a mainstay of cinema and increasingly dramas, providing studied and fascinating portrayals of troubled, difficult men and nuanced patriarchs. He was acclaimed for his role in The Spy Gone North and currently stars in the new film The Devil's Deal.

Music used in this episode:
'Intro theme' from Shadow Detective OST
'Tick Tock' from Juvenile Justice OST

The K-botak Podcast is a podcast where I review Korean films and television series or K-dramas.

Join the conversation on Twitter, be part of the K-botak community and discuss your favourite shows, movies, actors and more.

Follow K-botak on Buzzsprout and catch the show on Spotify, Apple, Google and most places you get podcasts.

The K-botak Podcast is a podcast where I review Korean films and television series or K-dramas.

Join the conversation on Twitter, be part of the K-botak community and discuss your favourite shows, movies, actors and more.

Follow K-botak on Buzzsprout and catch the show on Spotify, Apple, Google and most places you get podcasts.

This action blockbuster starring Hwang Jung Min and Hyun Bin is a retelling of a hostage incident in Afghanistan. The South Korean government entered direct negotiations for the return of 23 Koreans in 2007, a nugget of history that director Yim Soon Rye has turned into a laser-focused dramatisation of those tense negotiations. Although it focuses on the activities of the Korean negotiators and captives, the movie hasn't been able to escape controversy for its portrayal of Afghanistan and its population - rightly so, in the opinion of this podcaster.

The K-botak Podcast is a podcast where I review Korean films and television series or K-dramas.

Join the conversation on Twitter, be part of the K-botak community and discuss your favourite shows, movies, actors and more.

Follow K-botak on Buzzsprout and catch the show on Spotify, Apple, Google and most places you get podcasts.

Big Bet is a saga of expatriate criminality, a story of casinos, overseas Koreans and ingenious schemes unfolding through the years. Oldboy's Choi Min Sik is Cha Moo Sik, tax fugitive turned power broker, and this is my (fairly glowing) review of the first 8 episodes in this 16 part K-drama.

The K-botak Podcast is a podcast where I review Korean films and television series or K-dramas.

Join the conversation on Twitter, be part of the K-botak community and discuss your favourite shows, movies, actors and more.

Follow K-botak on Buzzsprout and catch the show on Spotify, Apple, Google and most places you get podcasts.

Yeon Sang Ho and Kim Hyun Joo reunite for this exciting if flawed sci fi action film. The director of Train to Busan has had hits and misses, but I think he always has ideas worth exploring and is able to turn them into cool set pieces at the same time.

Music used in this episode:
‘UNATCO Theme’ from Deus Ex

The K-botak Podcast is a podcast where I review Korean films and television series or K-dramas.

Join the conversation on Twitter, be part of the K-botak community and discuss your favourite shows, movies, actors and more.

Follow K-botak on Buzzsprout and catch the show on Spotify, Apple, Google and most places you get podcasts.

Japanese horror auteur and creator of classic yakuza and samurai movies Takashi Miike bursts into the world of Kdramas with a grisly sci fi offering starring Jung Hae In, Go Kyung Pyo and Kim Hye Jun. On this episode I review the show and provide recommendations for Takashi Miike movies to check out if you enjoy the series.

The K-botak Podcast is a podcast where I review Korean films and television series or K-dramas.

Join the conversation on Twitter, be part of the K-botak community and discuss your favourite shows, movies, actors and more.

Follow K-botak on Buzzsprout and catch the show on Spotify, Apple, Google and most places you get podcasts.

Happy New Year! Here are the Top 20 Korean Movies of 2022. From action to historical warfare to noir to romance to gore to socially conscious  drama, there’s been something this year for everyone - even if it has felt like there hasn’t really been a standout horror film. Fingers crossed for next year. Enjoy!

The K-botak Podcast is a podcast where I review Korean films and television series or K-dramas.

Join the conversation on Twitter, be part of the K-botak community and discuss your favourite shows, movies, actors and more.

Follow K-botak on Buzzsprout and catch the show on Spotify, Apple, Google and most places you get podcasts.

Jeon Jong Seo is a remarkable acting powerhouse making an impression in South Korea and internationally, with acclaimed and awarded roles in Burning (2018) and The Call (2020) that have led to her being in demand for dramas and OTT projects. Not least Money Heist Korea: Joint Economic Area, which now has two batches of six episodes available on Netflix.

On this episode I provide a career overview, community feedback, and reviews of her recent works:

Bargain (2022)
Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon (2022)
Nothing Serious (2021)

The K-botak Podcast is a podcast where I review Korean films and television series or K-dramas.

Join the conversation on Twitter, be part of the K-botak community and discuss your favourite shows, movies, actors and more.

Follow K-botak on Buzzsprout and catch the show on Spotify, Apple, Google and most places you get podcasts.

The star of Squid Game is on his way to a starring role in Star Wars - but he has over two decades of excellent work in tv and film under his belt, in K-dramas, blockbuster Korean films and fun genre movies. This episode features a review of his directorial debut, Hunt, as well as reviews of Warriors of the Dawn, Assassination and New World as well as more recommendations and community feedback. 

The K-botak Podcast is a podcast where I review Korean films and television series or K-dramas.

Join the conversation on Twitter, be part of the K-botak community and discuss your favourite shows, movies, actors and more.

Follow K-botak on Buzzsprout and catch the show on Spotify, Apple, Google and most places you get podcasts.

Ma Dong Seok is the greatest beefcake of our time, a one man industry of stellar action films that have had exponential success since his breakout in Train to Busan. His recent accolades include a role in a Marvel film, Eternals, and the biggest selling box office hit of 2022 in South Korea, The Roundup.

If you liked The Roundup or even his MCU appearance and want more of the man also known as Don Lee, here’s my review of the monster hit film and three other great films by Ma Dong Seok.

The K-botak Podcast is a podcast where I review Korean films and television series or K-dramas.

Join the conversation on Twitter, be part of the K-botak community and discuss your favourite shows, movies, actors and more.

Follow K-botak on Buzzsprout and catch the show on Spotify, Apple, Google and most places you get podcasts.