One-off Films to Check Out

There are tons of fun and interesting ongoing K-Dramas this season, and we know that the excessive amount of choice can turn out to be quite a conundrum for some. If you are looking for non-committal entertainment, read on for two recommendations that you should check out!

What Happened to Mr. Cha?

What Happened to Mr. Cha? is a comedy film about Cha Inpyo, a megastar past his prime, struggling to restore the glory of his heyday as an actor. 

In What Happened to Mr. Cha?, the star plays himself in a transformative role the likes of which he has never before attempted. In doing so, he crosses the boundaries between his real self and the fictional character in the film. He peppers his characterization with the outgoing, relatable, and intense aspects of his own personality while delivering snippets of fresh ideas and hearty laughter. Cho Dalhwan, who is known for his astute character analysis and steadfast performances in film and television, adds to the fun as Cha Inpyo’s manager and sidekick, Kim Aram.

What Happened to Mr. Cha? is a new undertaking for About Film, which previously produced the film Extreme Job that set a new record with 16 million admissions. About Film is a key player in the South Korean film industry, having also produced Secret Zoo, The Sound of a Flower, and Detour. What Happened to Mr. Cha? will bring audiences good clean fun and peals of warm laughter. Kim Dongkyu, who is handling the screenplay and directing, is gaining attention as a relative newcomer.

What Happened to Mr. Cha? is a film that doesn’t take itself seriously and is honestly rather meta when you think about it. It is a film that is about Cha Inpyo, played by himself, which prompts the question of whether he is truly acting, and which aspects of the movie are scripted, and which segments are a reflection of his current reality. Although seemingly comedic, What Happened to Mr. Cha? is thoughtful and a self-reflexive piece of content that is great if you are looking for something a little different from all the highly scripted and curated Korean dramas and content. It’s pretty interesting and a good chance to learn more about Cha Inpyo as an actor and as a human in his personal capacity while laughing at his ridiculous antics. 

Streaming source(s): Netflix

Space Sweepers

Space Sweepers, directed by Jo Sunghee (A Werewolf Boy, Phantom Detective) and produced by Bidangil Pictures, depicts in vivid detail the crew of a cosmic waste management spacecraft who discover a human-like robot named Dorothy. 

Set in 2092, Earth has become a bleak planet that will soon be uninhabitable. Spaceship Victory is one of the many that live off salvaging space debris. The crew members of Spaceship Victory include genius space pilot Taeho, a mysterious ex-space pirate Captain Jang, an ex-con spaceship engineer Tiger Park, and a reprogrammed military robot Bubs. After successfully snatching a crashed space shuttle in the latest debris chase, Victory’s crew finds a seven-year-old girl inside. They realize that she’s the human-like robot wanted by UTS Space Guards and decide to demand ransom from them in exchange.

Song Joongki (Descendants of the Sun, A Werewolf Boy) plays Taeho, the pilot who undertakes any profitable venture. Kim Taeri (Mr. Sunshine, The Handmaiden) takes on the role of Captain Jang, while Jin Sunkyu (Kingdom, Extreme Job) and Yoo Haijin (Confidential Assignment, A Taxi Driver) play Tiger Park and Bubs, respectively.

This will be Song Joongki’s first comeback to the entertainment industry following his stint in Arthdal Chronicles, and more importantly his split with Song Hyekyo. There is a considerable amount of attention on whether the Korean heartthrob will be able to bounce back. Looking at the promotional materials released so far, viewers can definitely expect Song Joongki to perform well. Backed with other prolific actors and an accomplished director, Space Sweepers is definitely shaping up to a film you shouldn’t miss.

Premieres: February 5

Streaming source(s): Netflix