Made in Korea 2026 Movie Review Trailer

After more than four years of watching K-dramas and seeing how K-pop dominated my annual Spotify Wrapped playlists, I finally had the opportunity to visit South Korea last year. When I first set foot in Seoul, I felt as if I were in some kind of simulation, for everywhere I looked, I could see posters of Byeon Woo-seok. On top of that, stepping into convenience stores to buy ramen and banana milk felt thrilling; and whenever I happened to stumble upon an iconic landmark I had seen in a series, I would snap a dozen photos.

However, in *Made In Korea*, when Shenba (Priyanka Mohan) arrives in Seoul, the circumstances don't seem exactly ideal. Throughout her stay there, we never quite grasp what it was—specifically—that fascinated her about South Korea, or Korean culture in general, in the first place. Later in the film, there is a song sequence showing her visiting all the trendy spots—Namsan Tower and the Lotte World amusement park—but it all feels far too fleeting.

Director: Ra Karthik
Writer: Ra Karthik
Stars: Priyanka Arulmohan, Rishikanth, Park Hye-jin

Having grown up in a picturesque village in the hills of Tamil Nadu, Shenba first discovers South Korea during a school costume contest and becomes fascinated by its potential historical link to her own state. This serves as a gateway to everything related to Korean culture: she has posters of Lee Min-ho on her bedroom walls, dances to the rhythm of K-pop, and, of course, attempts to learn the language as well. While it is a refreshing change that her entry point is this fascination with history, there is little else to build upon—even once she lands in Seoul. 

I smiled during a scene where Shenba walks into a restaurant and confidently orders a *So-Maek* (a cocktail of soju and beer)—something she undoubtedly learned from watching K-dramas. Such moments, however, are few and far between. Speaking to *The Hindu*, director Ra Karthik remarked that his own experiences as a first-time visitor to Seoul proved invaluable during the filming of the movie. These scenes are, in fact, the most engaging parts of the film, as we follow Shenba navigating a foreign city for the very first time. For instance, she has to learn how to queue for the bus—concepts that feel alien to most of us, even those living in an Indian city. With the help of a kind stranger—a vlogger who soon becomes her first friend in the city—Shenba quickly lands a job as an assistant in a mansion, where she is tasked with caring for a bedridden grandmother (Park Hye-jin).

However, what could have been a simple, heartwarming journey of self-discovery and community-building becomes somewhat convoluted due to the introduction of multiple subplots. Yes, the speed with which they manage to get a restaurant up and running feels rather convenient; nevertheless, it would have been far more gratifying to simply watch them thrive in that endeavor. Instead, we are presented with another narrative arc in which her friends suddenly aspire to become singing superstars. I would have enjoyed it much more had I seen Shenba experimenting with more of her recipes—such as her kimchi and garlic fried rice.

Holding the entire plot together is a sincere Priyanka Mohan, who portrays the sweet Shenba with great conviction. She radiates a genuine warmth whenever she and Hye-jin share the screen; however, one wishes that the supporting characters had been given better-developed scripts. We barely get to know them beyond their status as mere acquaintances, and it remains unclear why the group formed in the first place or what truly binds them together. 

As the world embraces the "Korean Wave" (K-Wave) a little more with each passing day—discovering new series and eagerly awaiting the return of their favorite K-pop groups—this seems like the ideal moment for an intercultural project such as this: a film whose protagonist harbors a dream shared by countless people across the globe. *Made In Korea* has the best of intentions, and its premise is spot-on; however, it is its execution that falters.

Watch Made in Korea 2026 Movie Trailer