MargueriteMcEwan at 09:21, 8 May 2026

2026-05-08T09:21:35Z

New page

{{Use Indian English|date=March 2026}}
{{Short description|2026 Indian film by Ra. Karthik}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2026}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Made in Korea (film).jpg
| caption = Release poster
| director = Ra. Karthik
| writer = Ra. Karthik
| producer = Sreenidhi Sagar
| starring = {{ubl|[[Priyanka Mohan]]|Rishikanth|Park Hye-Jin|Si-hun Baek}}
| cinematography = [[Prasanna Kumar]]
| editing = [[Anthony (film editor)|Anthony]]
| music = '''Songs:''' [[Hesham Abdul Wahab]] [[Simon K. King]] [[Dharan Kumar]]
 '''Score:''' Dharan Kumar
| studio = Rise East Entertainment
| distributor = [[Netflix]]
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2026|3|12}}
| runtime = 113 minutes<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 March 2026 |title=Made in Korea |url=https://www.classification.gov.au/titles/made-korea |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20260325000359/https://www.classification.gov.au/titles/made-korea |archive-date=25 March 2026 |access-date=13 March 2026 |website=[[Australian Classification Board]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=11 March 2026 |title=Made in Korea |url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/made-in-korea-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmtezmzk3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20260325000349/https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/made-in-korea-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmtezmzk3 |archive-date=25 March 2026 |access-date=12 March 2026 |website=[[British Board of Film Classification]] |language=en}}</ref>
| country = India
| language = Tamil Korean English
| budget = 
}}
'''''Made in Korea''''' is a 2026 Indian [[Coming-of-age story|coming-of-age]] [[comedy drama]] film written and directed by Ra. Karthik. Produced by Sreenidhi Sagar under the banner of Rise East Entertainment, it stars [[Priyanka Mohan]], Rishikanth, Park Hye-jin, and Si-hun Baek. The film, primarily in [[Tamil language|Tamil]], contains significant dialogue in [[Korean language|Korean]] due to its setting in South Korea.

The film was officially announced in October 2025. It has music and background score composed by [[Hesham Abdul Wahab]], [[Dharan Kumar]] and [[Simon K. King]], cinematography handled by [[Prasanna Kumar]], and editing by [[Anthony (film editor)|Anthony]]. ''Made in Korea'' was released directly on [[Netflix]] on 12 March 2026.

== Plot ==
Shenbagam "Shenba" is a young woman from Kollapalur, [[Tamil Nadu]]. Ever since she dressed up as [[Heo Hwang-ok|Shenbavalam]], a Korean queen believed to have originated from India, she has been dreaming to go to South Korea. She is dating Mani, her longtime boyfriend, who is hesitant to speak to her parents about their marriage because of his family debt and his occupation as a bartender. Shenba's parents run a small restaurant, and she has studied hotel management, as her father wants her to take over the business once he retires. Mani and Shenba's father have a verbal altercation about his occupation and Shenba takes Mani's side. Mani asks if she can join him without questioning where they are headed to. Shenba agrees and they move to [[Chennai]].

Sometime later, Mani tells Shenba they will be moving to South Korea as she had dreamed. She is given an [[Offer and acceptance|offer letter]] to work in a hotel, and Mani would look for a job once he is there. Shenba is elated, though hesitant to leave the country without her parents knowing. On the day of the trip, she travels alone to the airport, with Mani assuring over phone he is on the way. In the flight, she calls her mother to say goodbye. Her mother reprimands her for mistreating her father, which she does not understand. Shenba deduces what had happened: her father had visited them to give them money, claiming it to be her loan disbursed by the bank, but it was actually his savings. Mani received it and told him Shenba did not want to talk to him. Behind her back, he planned a trip to [[Mumbai]] to start a business with a friend while stealing the money to also settle his debt.

Shenba reaches Seoul, South Korea. She tries to help a woman being mistreated by her boyfriend and ends up in jail for slapping him. Heo Jun-jae, a [[Vlog|vlogger]] bails her out because he had captured the video of her attempting to save the woman. He reveals the offer letter is a scam, helps her find lodging and a job as a caretaker for a wealthy man's bedridden mother Yeon-ok. She diligently takes care of Yeon-ok but is astonished to find she is not paralyzed. Yeon-ok tells her that she ran a restaurant with her husband, and after her husband died, their son just wanted to take care of the children. She faked illness to get away with it. Shenba proposes to run a restaurant called "Granny's Kitchen" with her and they are successful. She also helps her friends to form a band, even giving them her savings to film a music video.

Shenba eventually gets caught by her employer who assumes she is embezzling money. Yeon-ok explains it is her earnings and confronts her son but collapses. While Yeon-ok is hospitalised, Shenba bids her a tearful farewell through a voicemail and abruptly returns to Kolappalur after hearing news of a [[landslide]] there. She reunites with her family after finding them safe; Mani had helped them reach a relief camp during the landslide. Mani apologizes to Shenba and says he tried to contact her several times to return the money, and she thanks him. Shenba is surprised by her friends from Seoul. Her father also gives her his blessings and is happy at the fact that all her friends travelled so far to meet her.

Shenba returns to Seoul and finds that Yeon-ok's house has been vacated. Jun-jae reveals that Yeon-ok had died but left Shenba a voicemail that she was happy in her last moments, thanks to her. Initially saddened, Shenba is uplifted by the voicemail and reopens Granny's Kitchen in Yeon-ok's memory.

== Cast ==
{{cast listing|
* [[Priyanka Mohan]]{{Efn|[[Kim Min-ha]] voices for Shenbagam in the Korean dub.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 March 2026 |title=Kim Min Ha Voices Shenba in Korean Dub for Tamil Film Made In Korea |url=https://www.filmfare.com/news/korean/kim-min-ha-voices-shenba-in-korean-dub-for-tamil-film-made-in-korea-82351.amp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260313102135/https://www.filmfare.com/news/korean/kim-min-ha-voices-shenba-in-korean-dub-for-tamil-film-made-in-korea-82351.amp |archive-date=13 March 2026 |access-date=13 March 2026 |website=[[Filmfare]] |language=en}}</ref>}} as Shenbagam "Shenba"
** Riya Manoj as young Shenbagam
* Rishikanth as Mani
** Videsh Anand as young Mani
* Park Hye-jin as Yeon-ok
* Si-hun Baek as Heo Jun-jae<ref>{{Cite news |last=So-young |first=Yang |date=20 March 2026 |title="Made in Korea" Star Baek Si-hoon Takes Lead Role in Indian Film |url=https://www.mk.co.kr/en/hot-issues/11993524 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260326160710/https://www.mk.co.kr/en/hot-issues/11993524 |archive-date=26 March 2026 |access-date=26 March 2026 |work=[[Maeil Business Newspaper]] |language=en}}</ref>
* Jae-hyeon Jang as the drummer
* Sori Kim as the woman whose boyfriend is slapped by Shenba for mistreating her
* Ha-Ram Jo as a guitarist
* Rok Kim as a guitarist
* Min-Seok Jung as Hong Soo-hwan
* Thirunavukkarasu as Shenbagam's father
* Jenson Dhivakar as Saamy
* Jaya as Shenbagam's mother
* Sabharish Ramachandran as Shenbagam's prospective groom
* Sebastin
}}

== Production ==
The film was officially commissioned by [[Netflix]] in October 2025, with Ra. Karthik serving as writer and director, while Rise East Entertainment managed the [[Filmmaking#Production|production]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 October 2025 |title=Netflix Tamil originals: Priyanka Mohan and Ra Karthik come together for Made In Korea |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2025/Oct/13/netflix-tamil-originals-priyanka-mohan-and-ra-karthik-come-together-for-made-in-korea |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260212015443/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2025/Oct/13/netflix-tamil-originals-priyanka-mohan-and-ra-karthik-come-together-for-made-in-korea |archive-date=12 February 2026 |access-date=12 March 2026 |website=[[Cinema Express]] |language=en}}</ref> Karthik said he was inspired to make the film because of his fascination with "the deep cultural connections and historical similarities between Korean and Tamil heritage".<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 February 2026 |title=South Korean and Tamil cultures unite in new Netflix film starring Priyanka Mohan |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/south-korean-and-tamil-cultures-unite-in-new-netflix-film-starring-priyanka-mohan/cid/2148715 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260325004239/https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/south-korean-and-tamil-cultures-unite-in-new-netflix-film-starring-priyanka-mohan/cid/2148715 |archive-date=25 March 2026 |access-date=12 March 2026 |website=[[The Telegraph (India)|The Telegraph]] |language=en}}</ref> [[Principal photography]] took place in South Korea for one-and-a-half months.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 March 2026 |title=Priyanka Mohan on how filming 'Made In Korea' was an experience to cherish |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/priyanka-mohan-on-how-filming-made-in-korea-was-an-experience-to-cherish/article70726397.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260325004432/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/priyanka-mohan-on-how-filming-made-in-korea-was-an-experience-to-cherish/article70726397.ece |archive-date=25 March 2026 |access-date=12 March 2026 |website=[[The Hindu]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=12 March 2026 |title='Made in Korea': Priyanka Mohan Discusses Food Challenges and Weather Struggles During 40-Day 'Made in Korea' Shoot |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/made-in-korea-priyanka-mohan-recalls-challenges-during-40-day-korea-shoot-says-food-was-a-big-problem/articleshow/129495677.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20260314020343/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/made-in-korea-priyanka-mohan-recalls-challenges-during-40-day-korea-shoot-says-food-was-a-big-problem/articleshow/129495677.cms |archive-date=14 March 2026 |access-date=12 March 2026 |website=[[The Times of India]] |language=en}}</ref>

== Music ==
The music for ''Made in Korea'' was composed by [[Hesham Abdul Wahab]], [[Dharan Kumar]] and [[Simon K. King]]. The audio rights were acquired by [[Netflix Music]]. The soundtrack album was released on 5 March 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 March 2026 |title=Made in Korea (Soundtrack from the Netflix Film) |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/made-in-korea-soundtrack-from-the-netflix-film/1879636459 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20260325000339/https://music.apple.com/us/album/made-in-korea-soundtrack-from-the-netflix-film/1879636459 |archive-date=25 March 2026 |access-date=12 March 2026 |website=[[Apple Music]] |language=en}}</ref>

{{Track listing
| headline = Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| total_length = 22:15
| title1 = Sodhappuna Singari
| lyrics1 = Ramya RamC, Vishnu Edavan
| music1 = [[Hesham Abdul Wahab]]
| extra1 = Ramya RamC
| length1 = 3:09
| title2 = Gwenchana
| lyrics2 = Vignesh Ramakrishna
| music2 = Hesham Abdul Wahab
| extra2 = Sheezy, Alexandra Joy
| length2 = 1:46
| title3 = Aaralya
| lyrics3 = Vignesh Ramakrishna
| music3 = Hesham Abdul Wahab
| extra3 = Hesham Abdul Wahab, Sanjana Kalmanje
| length3 = 3:25
| title4 = We Keep Rockin'
| lyrics4 = FRIDAYYY
| music4 = Hesham Abdul Wahab
| extra4 = Lipsika Bhashyam, [[Aoora]], mimidolly
| length4 = 3:28
| title5 = Aagasame
| lyrics5 = Vishnu Edavan
| music5 = Hesham Abdul Wahab
| extra5 = Hesham Abdul Wahab
| length5 = 3:30
| title6 = Saalaiyodu
| lyrics6 = Vignesh Ramakrishna
| music6 = [[Dharan Kumar]]
| extra6 = Aishwarya Kumar
| length6 = 2:18
| title7 = Everything Gonna Be Alright
| lyrics7 = Mani Romeo
| music7 = [[Simon K. King]]
| extra7 = Shilvi Sharon
| length7 = 4:39
}}

== Release ==
The film was released directly on Netflix on 12 March 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Verma |first=Sukanya |author-link=Sukanya Verma |date=13 March 2026 |title=Couple Friendly, Aspirants On OTT |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/couple-friendly-aspirants-on-ott/20260313.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260314175229/https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/couple-friendly-aspirants-on-ott/20260313.htm |archive-date=14 March 2026 |access-date=13 March 2026 |website=[[Rediff.com]] |language=en}}</ref>

== Reception ==
{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|score=31|count=13|average=4.9|ref=yes}}

Yashaswini Sri of ''[[The Indian Express]]'' gave 3/5 stars and wrote, "Overall, ''Made in Korea'' is a warm, well-intentioned film with a premise that genuinely deserved to be explored. But it keeps its emotional ambitions at a safe distance from anything that might truly challenge its characters or its audience. You leave it feeling pleasant rather than moved, entertained rather than affected. For a film that begins with the image of a girl climbing an elephant for a signal, that is a little disappointing. The dream was bigger than this".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sri |first=Yashaswini |date=12 March 2026 |title=Made in Korea movie review: A film with genuine heart that cannot quite find its footing |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/made-in-korea-movie-review-a-film-with-genuine-heart-that-cannot-quite-find-its-footing-10578519/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260313105158/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/made-in-korea-movie-review-a-film-with-genuine-heart-that-cannot-quite-find-its-footing-10578519/ |archive-date=13 March 2026 |access-date=12 March 2026 |website=[[The Indian Express]] |language=en}}</ref> Chandu Shanigarapu of ''[[Hindustan Times]]'' rated the film 3.5/5 stars, praising the cast performances and production values, but felt the screenplay in the latter half was slow paced.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shanigarapu |first=Chandu |date=13 March 2026 |title=Made In Korea OTT Review:కొరియాలో తీసిన ఫస్ట్ ఇండియన్ మూవీ-ఓజీ హీరోయిన్ ఎమోషనల్ డ్రామా-డైరెక్ట్‌గా ఓటీటీలో-ఎలా ఉందంటే |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/telugu/entertainment/made-in-korea-movie-review-released-direct-on-ott-streaming-in-netflix-og-heroine-priyanka-mohan-261773383013709.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260321113859/https://www.hindustantimes.com/telugu/entertainment/made-in-korea-movie-review-released-direct-on-ott-streaming-in-netflix-og-heroine-priyanka-mohan-261773383013709.html |archive-date=21 March 2026 |access-date=13 March 2026 |website=[[Hindustan Times]] |language=te}}</ref>

S. Poorvaja of ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote, "''Made In Korea'' has its heart in the right place and the premise feels fitting; it is the execution that falters".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Poorvaja |first=S. |date=12 March 2026 |title='Made In Korea' movie review: An earnest Priyanka Mohan shoulders a cursory Hallyu excursion |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/made-in-korea-movie-review-priyanka-mohan-k-drama-tamil-movie-k-pop/article70734760.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260321114231/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/made-in-korea-movie-review-priyanka-mohan-k-drama-tamil-movie-k-pop/article70734760.ece |archive-date=21 March 2026 |access-date=12 March 2026 |website=[[The Hindu]] |language=en}}</ref> Vishal Menon of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter India]]'' wrote, "the usually charming Priyanka Mohan struggles to make us feel anything more than indifference and we sit through the film with the distant coldness of getting lost in a foreign country. [[Cultural appropriation]] seldom feels as inappropriate as it does in ''Made In Korea''".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Menon |first=Vishal |date=20 March 2026 |title='Made In Korea' Movie Review: A Seoul-Less Drama Made For Algorithms |url=https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/reviews/streaming/made-in-korea-movie-review-a-seoul-less-drama-made-for-algorithms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260331033857/https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/reviews/streaming/made-in-korea-movie-review-a-seoul-less-drama-made-for-algorithms |archive-date=31 March 2026 |access-date=31 March 2026 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter India]] |language=en}}</ref> Sreeju Sudhakaran of ''[[Rediff.com]]'' wrote, "''Made in Korea'' had the potential to be a culturally rich coming-of-age story but settles for a generic template with an underdeveloped location setting".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sudhakaran |first=Sreeju |date=21 March 2026 |title=Made In Korea Review: Generic Coming-of-Age Drama |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/made-in-korea-review/20260321.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260322014556/https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/made-in-korea-review/20260321.htm |archive-date=22 March 2026 |access-date=31 March 2026 |work=[[Rediff.com]] |language=en}}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{Netflix title}}

{{Portal bar|Film|India|South Korea}}

[[Category:2020s coming-of-age comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:2026 direct-to-video films]]
[[Category:2026 films]]
[[Category:2026 Indian films]]
[[Category:2026 Korean-language films]]
[[Category:2026 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:Films scored by Dharan Kumar]]
[[Category:Films scored by Hesham Abdul Wahab]]
[[Category:Films set in Seoul]]
[[Category:Films set in South Korea]]
[[Category:Films set in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Films shot in Munnar]]
[[Category:Films shot in Seoul]]
[[Category:Indian comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:Indian coming-of-age comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:Indian direct-to-video films]]
[[Category:Korean-language comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:Netflix original films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]

Made in Korea film - Revision history

MargueriteMcEwan at 09:21, 8 May 2026