"Made in Korea" director-actor on their cross-cultural story: 'Happy that world is coming closer' NEW DELHI: Director Ra Karthik and actor Priyanka Mohan expressed enthusiasm about their cross-cultural drama, "Made in Korea," which explores a young woman's fascination with Korean culture through shared love for films, music, and food. The film, which has topped Netflix's Global Top 10 Non-English Films chart in 24 countries, blends Indian and Korean traditions while highlighting growing global connections. Mohan noted that while Indians are drawn to K-dramas, K-pop, and Korean cuisine, South Koreans have a strong appreciation for Bollywood, particularly Aamir Khan’s film "3 Idiots." Karthik, inspired by his wife’s passion for Korean culture—from kimchi to Korean buns—said the movie reflects their shared curiosity about each other’s worlds. The film’s narrative centers on an Indian princess, Sembavalam, who travels to Korea in a school play, sparking her desire to explore the country. Karthik, who made his directorial debut with 2022’s "Nitham Oru Vaanam," emphasized the linguistic and cultural parallels between Tamil and Korean, such as words like "Appa" and "Amma," as a key inspiration for the project. Mohan, known for roles in films like "Doctor" and "Saripodhaa Sanivaaram," described filming in South Korea as a transformative experience. She admitted her character knew more about Korea than she did, prompting her to immerse herself in the culture. “We all share the same emotions, values, and traditions,” she said, adding that this commonality helped her connect with the material. The film features scenes with veteran Korean actress Park Hye-jin, renowned for roles in "Squid Game" and "Pachinko.#south_korea #made_in_korea #park_hye_jin #director_ra_karthik #actor_priyanka_mohan
