5 New Netflix Originals from Korea and the US To Watch This Rainy Weekend
Dear Hongrang (탄금): A Haunting Historical Romance
Dear Hongrang is a new Korean Netflix series blending mystery, melodrama, and period intrigue. It centers around Hong-rang, the son of Joseon’s biggest merchant group, Min Sang-Dan, who returns 12 years after going missing—with no memory of his past. While everyone welcomes him back, only his half-sister Jae-yi suspects he may not be who he claims to be. As suspicion turns into an inexplicable emotional entanglement, their relationship teeters between distrust and attraction. Lee Jae-wook (Alchemy of Souls) and Jo Bo-ah (Tale of the Nine-Tailed) portray the leads with emotional depth, supported by stars like Uhm Ji-won, Park Byung-eun, and Kim Jae-wook. Directed by Kim Hong-sun of Money Heist: Korea and The Guest fame, the series offers layers of suspense within an emotional narrative arc.
Heart on Wheels (가는정 오는정 이민정): A Wholesome Reality Escape
Heart on Wheels brings a unique twist to the reality genre. It follows actress Lim Min-jeong and her eclectic ensemble—including Bbum, Ahn Jae-hyun, Kim Jung-hyun, and Kim Jae-won—as they take a mobile convenience store through Korea’s most remote villages. As they sell food and necessities while staying overnight with elderly locals, the team delivers warmth, laughs, and authentic moments of human connection. Fans of New Journey to the West and Ssam My Way will appreciate its lighthearted yet meaningful tone. Premiering May 16, it’s a much-needed dose of feel-good television.
Nocturnal (브로큰): Grief Turns Into a Relentless Manhunt
Nocturnal is a gritty crime thriller about Min-tae, a former gangster who now lives a quiet life—until his brother’s lifeless body is discovered and his sister-in-law vanishes. When Min-tae meets a novelist, Ho-ryeong, whose book eerily foretold his brother’s death, he’s pulled into a spiral of secrets and lies. Ha Jung-woo (Suriname, High Jacking) delivers a powerful performance as the enraged brother, while Kim Nam-gil (The Fiery Priest) plays the enigmatic writer. With intertwining timelines and layered mysteries, this film promises a dark yet captivating crime drama.
Love, Death + Robots: Volume 4 Returns with More Dystopian Brilliance
Netflix’s acclaimed animated anthology Love, Death + Robots is back for Volume 4. Known for exploring science fiction, fantasy, horror, and dark humor, this season dives into 10 boundary-pushing short stories, including the tales Spider Rose, The Tyrannosaurus’s Roar, and The Smart Home Appliances and the Clueless Owner. Produced by Tim Miller (Deadpool) and David Fincher (House of Cards, Mank), the series continues to visually and thematically astonish. This season again explores the surreal and chilling intersections of humanity, technology, and imagination.
People Who Sew Hope (희망을 꿰매는 사람들): Redemption One Stitch at a Time
People Who Sew Hope offers a deeply touching documentary experience. Set in a Missouri maximum-security prison, the film follows incarcerated men participating in a quilting program for children in foster care. As each quilt is lovingly handcrafted, the convicts reveal personal stories of pain, remorse, and healing. Premiering May 16, this Sundance-lauded feature celebrates community, redemption, and the power of second chances, offering a rare window into decency behind bars.
This week, whether you’re in the mood for a romantic mystery, heartfelt reality, intense drama, or soulful documentary, Netflix’s new releases deliver a well-rounded roster to binge away a rainy weekend.
