Movie Name : Made in Korea
Streaming Date : Mar 12, 2026
Streaming Platform : Netflix
123telugu.com Rating : 3/5
Starring : Priyanka Mohan, Park Hye-jin, Jang Jae-hyun, Rishikanth, Kim So-ri, Ha Ram, and No Ho-jin
Director : Ra Karthik
Producer : Sreenidhi Sagar
Music Directors : Hesham Abdul Wahab, Dharan Kumar
Cinematographer : Prasanna S. Kumar
Editor : Anthony
Related Links : Trailer
Made in Korea marks the maiden OTT outing of actress Priyanka Arul Mohan. The Indo-Korean film is directed by Ra. Karthik, who earlier made Nitham Oru Vaanam (released in Telugu as Aakasam). The film premieres today on Netflix and is also available in Telugu. Let’s see how it fares.
Story:
Shenbagam, fondly called Shenba (Priyanka Arul Mohan), is a young woman from Kolappalur in Tamil Nadu who has been fascinated with Korea since childhood. Visiting the country at least once in her lifetime remains her biggest dream. She has been in a relationship with Mani (Rishikanth) for nine years. Ignoring her parents’ concerns, she elopes with him, but Mani abandons her midway, leaving Shenba stranded. This unexpected turn of events takes her to Seoul, Korea, where she finds herself alone and clueless in a foreign land. While her long-cherished dream of reaching Korea finally comes true, it happens under unfortunate circumstances. What unfolds during her stay there, how she faces the challenges, and the lessons she learns from this journey form the rest of the story.
Plus Points:
Priyanka Arul Mohan, who has often faced criticism for her expressions, delivers a pleasant surprise with a sincere performance. She portrays Shenba with innocence and warmth, making the character feel genuine and relatable. Her natural screen presence helps several emotional scenes land effectively.
Veteran Korean actress Kim Young-ok, widely known as South Korea’s “National Grandma,” appears as Omma in the film. She also played Seong Gi-hun’s mother in Squid Game. Her performance here is warm, humorous, and emotional. The scenes between her and Priyanka Arul Mohan are particularly charming and add emotional depth to the narrative.
Beyond being a story of self-discovery, the film also carries a simple life message. As the film suggests, “Where you think it ends, it begins.” The narrative encourages viewers to move forward despite setbacks and approach life with positivity.
Another strong aspect is the background score by Dharan Kumar, which enhances several emotional moments effectively. The songs composed by Hesham Abdul Wahab are pleasant and blend well with the film’s mood. The supporting cast also performs their roles convincingly.
Minus Points:
The storyline is fairly predictable, and several developments can be anticipated early on. While the narration keeps the film engaging, a few unexpected twists could have added more depth to the narrative.
Since a major portion of the film takes place in Korea, many conversations occur in Korean. Although several parts are translated in Telugu, the language transitions occasionally feel uneven. Subtitles help, but a few viewers may still feel slightly disconnected in certain scenes.
The granny’s storyline could have been given a stronger closure. While the character leaves a good impression, the idea of pursuing dreams regardless of age could have been explored more effectively, which might have added a stronger emotional impact.
Technical Aspects:
Director Ra. Karthik once again presents a heartfelt story with a simple and clean narrative approach. He handles the subject without unnecessary complications and conveys the message in a subtle manner.
On the technical front, the film benefits from strong support. Dharan Kumar’s background score stands out and elevates several emotional moments, while Hesham Abdul Wahab’s songs fit the narrative well. Cinematographer Prasanna S Kumar captures the locations with vibrant visuals, giving the film a pleasant look. Editor Anthony keeps the runtime under two hours, ensuring a steady pace without noticeable lag. The production values are neat and add to the film’s overall appeal.
Verdict:
On the whole, Made in Korea is a decent and heartwarming film that marks a good OTT debut for Priyanka Arul Mohan. Her sincere performance, along with the film’s positive message and emotional moments, works in its favour. While the predictable storyline and occasional language barriers act as minor drawbacks, the film still manages to offer a pleasant viewing experience. Overall, it makes for a simple and feel-good watch that can be enjoyed with family over the weekend.
123telugu.com Rating: 3/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team