Leading the early April slate is “Endgame Investigation,” which opened April 2. It is director Park Cheol-hwan’s first feature film, after earning notice for the series “Grid” and “Dominant Species,” and is based on a real incident to heighten its sense of realism. The story follows Jae-hyeok, an “unlucky” veteran detective who was once a top performer in a metropolitan investigative unit but is repeatedly promoted and demoted as cases take unexpected turns, eventually being pushed out to a rural post — until what is framed as his last chance arrives.
Actor Bae Seong-woo, known for roles in “Veteran,” “The King,” “The Great Battle” and “1947 Boston,” plays Jae-hyeok, portraying a detective whose work and life have become tangled. Jae-hyeok’s partner, Jung-ho, is played by Jung Ga-ram, who built a global fan base through “Love Alarm” and “The Interest of Love.” Jung-ho is depicted as a third-generation conglomerate heir and influencer who, after a bet with online users, finishes first on the police exam and shows up to his first day in a sports car. His by-the-book confidence clashes with Jae-hyeok’s instinct-driven approach, creating constant friction.
That antagonistic partnership adds levity to what could be a heavy crime investigation film. Supporting actors including Esom, Jo Han-chul and Yoon Kyung-ho join the cast, with the plot built around “one case, two suspects” and a series of twists.
The horror film “Salmokji” is set to open April 8. It begins with a modern urban legend: an unidentified figure captured on a map service’s road-view imagery. The film follows a production crew that heads to the Salmokji reservoir for reshoots and encounters a dark presence in the water, leading to a desperate struggle. It is director Lee Sang-min’s first solo feature, after short films “Hamjinabi” and “Dolrimchong” drew attention at domestic festivals. The film emphasizes unsettling audiovisual effects using the properties of water, from ominous ripples on the surface to sounds that should not be possible underwater.
Kim Hye-yoon returns to the big screen after four years, playing Su-in as she fights to survive. Lee Jong-won, described as one of the most watched actors of 2026, takes on his first commercial film lead role as Gi-tae. The cast also includes Kim Jun-han, Kim Young-sung, Oh Dong-min, Yoon Jae-chan and Jang Da-a. The film uses experimental techniques including a 360-degree panoramic camera and motion detectors, designed to stand out in ScreenX and 4DX theaters with expanded visuals and heightened sound for an immersive experience.
Closing out the month is “My Name Is,” scheduled for release April 15. The film is directed by veteran filmmaker Jung Ji-young and was invited to the Berlin International Film Festival’s Forum section, where it received international acclaim, before being presented to domestic audiences. The story follows 18-year-old Yeong-ok, who wants to erase what he sees as a tacky name, and his mother, Jeong-sun, who buried a secret from 78 years earlier in the painful history of Jeju in 1949. The film traces their journey as a sorrowful promise resurfaces beneath Jeju’s peaceful scenery. Actor Yeom Hye-ran plays the mother, Jeong-sun.
More Korean films are also slated through April. They include “Nuruk,” the directing debut of actor Jang Dong-yoon, and “Jjanggu,” directed by and starring actor Jung Woo. Comedies are also in the pipeline, including “Mismatch,” starring Oh Dae-hwan and Oh Yoon-ah, and “Girl Referee,” featuring Chae Won-bin and Han Sun-hwa.
With a mix of genres, established performers and new directing efforts, April’s lineup will test whether the momentum sparked by “The King and the Man Who Lives” can carry into another strong run for Korean cinema.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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