Netflix approves Korean thriller ‘The Rat’ and rom-com ‘Lovestuck’
Fans of Korean shows can rejoice as Netflix has announced two new original additions to its collection. The streaming giant will be producing a thriller series, The Rat (working title). They will also be producing a romantic comedy series called Lovestruck.
In a first, the thriller series will feature Ryu Jun-yeol, known for his role in Reply 1988, and Sul Kyung-gu together. The Rat revolves around an old Korean folktale about a rat becoming a human by eating clipped fingernails. It is inspired by a webtoon by Kakao Entertainment titled Field Mouse, which was made by Ludovico.
The story follows Moon-jae, played by Jun-yeol, who is an author leading a secluded life as he deals with his sociophobia. Things take a turn for him when he finds his identity stolen, as he is unable to access his phone with his fingerprint. Moreover, his only friend seems to have gone missing. He comes to know that a peculiar being called ‘the Rat’ has taken all of this from him, including his money. This pushes him to regain his lost life and respect.
The story gains momentum as No-ja, played by Sul Kyung-gu, enters. He is a moneymonger who also has his own private detective agency. To No-ja’s surprise, the author comes to him three years after their first and only interaction to ask for help with his quest. They had first met when Moon-jae asked No-ja for financial help. The thriller will be directed by Kim Hong-sun.
Lovestruck’s production has already begun. The romantic comedy series brings Kim Jang-han and writer Mo Ji-hye together after a four-year gap. This series will feature Jung Hae-in, known for his role in Something in the Rain, as Jung Tae-ha, and Ha-young as Go Eun-sae.
Go Eun-sae is an intelligent lawyer who loses her memory while working on a case against a criminal group. Jang Tae-ha, a youth boxing champion turned gang member, is now on a mission to reclaim his life and respect by becoming a boxing coach.
They meet while on their respective missions. Go Eun-sae turns out to be Jang Tae-ha’s long-lost first love. This is a tale of first love made complicated by a web of lies. Lovestruck will also be Ha-young’s debut as a rom-com lead.