"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
Priyanka Mohan's Solo Lead Role Marks Career Milestone After Seven Years Priyanka Arul Mohan, an actress who transitioned from engineering to cinema, is making headlines with her solo lead film, Made in Korea, now streaming on Netflix. The movie, directed by Ra. Karthik, premiered on March 12, 2026, and marks her first major role as the central character. After seven years in the industry, the 31-year-old actress is finally stepping into the spotlight as the protagonist of her own story. Born in 1995, Priyanka grew up in Bengaluru, where she pursued a degree in Biological Engineering at PES University. While her academic path was clear, her passion for theatre began during college. She participated in stage plays, a hobby that eventually led her to acting. In an earlier interview with The Hindu, she described her initial foray into theatre as an experiment to explore alternative career options. Her parents, supportive of her creative interests, encouraged her to pursue her passion. Priyanka’s family background also shaped her linguistic and cultural identity. Her mother is from Karnataka, and her father is Tamil, which influenced her fluency in both Kannada and Tamil. Over time, she also learned Telugu, noting the similarities between the languages. This multilingual versatility has become a key asset in her career, allowing her to work across South Indian cinema. Her acting debut came in 2019 with the Kannada film Ondh Kathe Hella. The same year, she gained wider recognition for her role in the Telugu film Gang Leader, starring alongside Nani. This project solidified her presence in the industry and opened doors to collaborations with other prominent actors, including Sivakarthikeyan and Pawan Kalyan. The release of Made in Korea represents a significant turning point in her career.#netflix #priyanka_arul_mohan #ra_karthik #made_in_korea #the_hindu
‘Made In Korea’ movie review: An earnest Priyanka Mohan shoulders a cursory Hallyu excursion The film Made In Korea explores the intersection of Indian and South Korean cultures through the story of Shenba, a young woman from Tamil Nadu who moves to Seoul after a personal loss. Her journey is framed as a quest for self-discovery, community, and resilience, with a focus on her relationship with an elderly Korean woman. The narrative begins with Shenba’s fascination with South Korea, sparked by a school project that connects her town to the country’s history. This curiosity leads her to Seoul, where she navigates the challenges of a foreign environment, from learning to queue for public transport to finding work as a helper in a mansion. The film highlights her gradual integration into the city’s rhythm, aided by a kind stranger and a vlogger who becomes her first friend. Director Ra Karthik’s approach emphasizes Shenba’s emotional growth over romantic subplots, a departure from typical K-drama tropes. The story’s premise—centered on identity and belonging—resonates with global audiences, particularly as the K-wave gains traction in India. However, the film’s execution falls short of its potential. While Shenba’s journey is earnest and relatable, the addition of multiple subplots—such as her friends’ ambitions as singing superstars—dilutes the narrative. These arcs feel abrupt and underdeveloped, overshadowing the film’s core themes. The reviewer notes that a more focused exploration of Shenba’s daily life, such as her attempts to cook Korean dishes like garlic kimchi fried rice, would have provided deeper insight into her adaptation. Priyanka Mohan’s performance as Shenba is heartfelt and convincing, capturing the character’s vulnerability and determination.#ra_karthik #made_in_korea #park_hye_jin #priyanka_mohan #shenba
Latest Malayalam and Dubbed Films Arrive on OTT Platforms Several new Malayalam and dubbed films have launched on over-the-top (OTT) platforms between March 9 and March 15, 2026, offering a mix of genres including comedy, social satire, adventure, and drama. Among the notable releases are Pennu Case, Made in Korea, and Sukran, which are now available for streaming. Viewers can enjoy these titles across multiple platforms, with specific release dates and platforms highlighted below. Pennu Case, a crime-comedy film inspired by real-life events, was first released in theaters on January 10, 2026. The movie blends elements of deception, mistaken identity, and unexpected twists, receiving mixed reactions from critics and audiences. It is now available on OTT platforms, though the exact platform was not specified in the details provided. Made in Korea, an adventure drama directed by Ra. Karthik, premiered on Netflix on March 12, 2026. The film stars Priyanka Arul Mohan alongside Hye-jin, No Ho-jin, and Rishikanth. It is also available in five languages, including Malayalam, making it accessible to a broader audience. The story follows Shenbagam, a young woman from Tamil Nadu who fulfills her childhood dream of visiting South Korea, leading to a life-changing journey. Sukran, a Malayalam film, is set to stream on Sun NXT starting March 13. The movie features Bibin George, Shine Tom Chacko, and Chandhunadh in key roles. While specific details about the plot were not provided, the film is described as exploring themes of friendship, love, and difficult life choices. Another notable release is Pennum Porattum, a fantasy comedy-drama directed by Rajesh Madhavan. The film stars Raina Radhakrishnan, Rajesh Madhavan, and Subhash Chandran, with a voice cameo by Tovino Thomas.#made_in_korea #pennum_porattum #pennu_case #sukran #bhartha_mahasayulaku_wignyapthi
Priyanka Mohan Discusses Food Challenges and Weather Struggles During 40-Day 'Made in Korea' Shoot Priyanka Mohan’s 40-day filming experience for the film Made in Korea was marked by several challenges, including difficulties with food and unpredictable weather, according to the actress. Despite these obstacles, she expressed her enjoyment of the project, which she described as her first international collaboration. Food became a significant issue during her stay in South Korea. Speaking to IANS, Mohan revealed that the local cuisine posed a problem for her dietary preferences. “Food was quite a problem for me because they put red meat in most dishes,” she said. While she is primarily a vegetarian, she noted that she has recently started incorporating chicken into her meals, indicating a shift in her eating habits during the shoot. The weather in Korea also presented a major challenge. Mohan described the climate as highly variable, with rapid changes from sunny mornings to rainy afternoons and snowy nights. “You could have the sun shining in the morning, and it would be raining by afternoon and snowing by night,” she explained. These sudden shifts complicated the filming schedule, requiring the crew to adapt quickly to the changing conditions. Despite the difficulties, Mohan expressed a strong connection with the Korean cast and crew. She highlighted the professionalism and approachability of the actors, noting that the team’s camaraderie made the experience rewarding. “This was my first ever international collaboration, and the Korean artists are all very, very down to earth,” she said. She added that the actors rehearsed thoroughly before filming, which helped streamline the production process.#south_korea #ra_karthik #made_in_korea #priyanka_mohan #korean_cast
Priyanka Mohan on how filming ‘Made In Korea’ was an experience to cherish Ahead of the release of Netflix’s cross-cultural project Made In Korea, actor Priyanka Arul Mohan and director Ra Karthik shared insights about their journey filming in Seoul, working with a Korean cast and crew, and how the film became a journey of discovery. The film follows Shenba, a character played by Mohan, as she navigates her fascination with South Korea, moving from her hometown in Tamil Nadu to the Land of Morning Calm. For Shenba, South Korea is a distant, almost fantastical place filled with K-Pop and K-Drama dreams. Initially, she believes a train will take her there, but as she grows, her yearning to visit the country deepens. The film blends her personal journey with family and relationship drama, avoiding the typical romance tropes of K-Dramas. Director Ra Karthik emphasized that the story was crafted to connect with fans of K-Pop and K-Dramas by focusing on the shared aspiration of visiting South Korea. “I wanted to explore both the fantasy and realities of this dream,” he explained, “and have her journey through human values rather than romance.” Mohans’ role as Shenba marked a milestone in her career, as it was her first film where she took the lead. The Tamil-Korean collaboration, a first for the region, brought together a diverse cast, including Korean actors like Park Hye-jin, known for her role in Squid Game. Priyanka described the experience as immersive, noting how the team, like Shenba, was constantly learning and discovering new aspects of Korean culture, food, and values during their one-and-a-half months of filming. Karthik shared his own experiences navigating Seoul, recalling how he arrived a week before the crew and had to figure out transportation and daily life on his own.#priyanka_arul_mohan #ra_karthik #made_in_korea #park_hye_jin #seoul
