Onda Works, the renowned production company behind the acclaimed film “The Man Who Lives with King”, which reached second place at the highest box office in South Korea this year with 16.91 million viewers, has confirmed its newest project for Netflix: the drama “Dochabi”.
Set in a border region where farmers who depend on fire live in small communities, the historical action drama tells the story of a former military officer. Living undercover, he is known as “Dochabi”, an ancient name for goblin, as he confronts a mysterious group hunting the farmers. Since its initial planning stages, the project has generated great expectations in the film sector, combining an experienced production team with a cast of actors at the height of their careers.
A strong cast promises outstanding performances in ‘Dochabi’
In the lead role of Taesan, we have Kim Do-hoon, who impressed critics and audiences with his performance in the Disney+ series *Moving*. He demonstrated his versatility in works such as *Your Honor*, *My Secretary* and *Dear X*, and now plays an ex-soldier who hides in the mountains and is accused of leading a barbaric group. At her side, Jeon Jong-seo takes on the role of Ahai, a Jurchen woman portrayed as strong and independent, with agile movements and martial arts skills, bringing the immersion already seen in intense films such as *Call*, *Ballerina* and *Project Y*.
The cast also includes Lee Joon-gi, recognized for his performances in *Sword of Aramun*, *Again My Life*, *Flower of Evil* and *Lawless Lawyer*, who plays Lee Do-gwan, the ambitious supreme commander of the border region. Lee Sang-yi, who won over audiences in *The Hounds*, *Legend of the Cook* and *Killer Woman*, plays Inspector Park Se-ryong, responsible for investigating and pursuing Lee Do-gwan. Finally, Bae In-hyuk, who consolidated his presence in *Give Me the Universe*, *Check-in Hanyang* and *The Tale of Lady Park*, plays Crown Prince Yeolhwa-gun, who shows compassion for the difficulties of farmers. The chemistry between the protagonists Kim Do-hoon and Jeon Jong-seo, along with the charismatic presence of Lee Joon-gi as the antagonist, promises to intensify the drama experience.
Production team brings together experienced and award-winning talent
Onda Works, with a history of successes such as “The Man Who Lives with the King” and “Park Yeol”, reaffirms its ability to develop outstanding projects. “Dochabi” is directed by Ahn Tae-jin, who gained immediate recognition after winning Best Film and Best Director awards at prestigious film festivals for his first feature film, “The Owl”, released in 2022. Choosing a historical thriller for his next work raises expectations, given its engaging narrative style and precise direction. The script is written by Hwang Sung-gu, known for his complex narratives in “The Man Who Lives with the King” and “Park Yeol”, ensuring a historical action drama that combines a dense plot with Ahn’s vision and Onda Works’ proven expertise.
Success of ‘The Owl’, acclaimed film by Ahn Tae-jin
Part of the excitement surrounding “Dochabi” comes from the success of director Ahn Tae-jin’s previous work, “The Owl.” This film, which mixes suspense with the plot of the mysterious death of Crown Prince Sohyeon in real history, has reached the top positions on several evaluation platforms since its premieres, being acclaimed both commercially and artistically. The narrative follows Cheon Gyeong-su, a blind acupuncturist who has “night blindness”, allowing him to see poorly in the dark as he witnesses the death of Crown Prince Sohyeon in the palace. Amid complex relationships involving King Injo and Concubine Soyong Jo, director Ahn intensifies the tension by visualizing the “night blindness” premise with stylized cinematography and lighting, profoundly conveying the question: “Should we accept the injustice of being marginalized by society?”
The union of a large production company, an experienced directing team and actors with remarkable talent in the project “Dochabi” promises an unprecedented historical action drama. With the combination of Kim Do-hoon, Jeon Jong-seo, Lee Joon-gi, Lee Sang-yi and Bae In-hyuk, and the track record of box office successes such as “The Man Who Lives with the King” and the artistic merit of “The Owl”, expectations for the quality of the production are naturally high for the release on Netflix.
