South Korea’s movie theaters are preparing for a diverse spring season as a mix of local productions, historical dramas and international releases arrive in April. The upcoming lineup follows the strong performance of The King’s Warden, which dominated the local box office for eight consecutive weeks earlier this year and drew large audiences nationwide. As viewers look for the next major hit, filmmakers are turning to emotional storytelling, mystery horror and globally recognized titles to attract attention.
{img}The month begins with the release of the Japanese romantic drama The Last Song You Left Behind on April 1. Directed by Takahiro Miki and based on a novel by Misaki Ichijo, the film tells the story of a boy who writes poems for a girl struggling to express her emotions, which eventually transform into music. Actor Shunsuke Michieda is scheduled to visit South Korea from April 3 to 5 to promote the film and meet fans, highlighting strong regional interest in cross-border releases during the spring season.
Attention then shifts to domestic cinema with the mystery horror film Salmokji: Whispering Water, arriving in theaters on April 8. Directed by Lee Sang-min, the story follows a film crew investigating a reservoir linked to a local legend, only to encounter unexplained events captured on camera. The movie stars Kim Hye-yoon and Lee Jong-won, and reflects the continued popularity of locally rooted horror stories inspired by regional folklore.
{img}Mid-April brings a shift in tone with the historical drama My Name, directed by veteran filmmaker Chung Ji-young. Scheduled for release on April 15, the film explores the legacy of the Jeju April 3 Uprising, a period of ideological conflict that resulted in tens of thousands of deaths on Jeju Island. Actress Yeom Hye-ran leads the cast as a mother searching for the truth about her family’s past. The film has already received international attention after being invited to the Berlin International Film Festival, signaling expectations of strong critical reception.
{img}Together with upcoming global franchise sequels arriving later in the season, this mix of romance, horror and historical storytelling highlights how Korea’s spring box office is positioning itself to appeal to a wide range of audiences looking for fresh cinematic experiences.