Ma Dong-seok's K-Action 'Hwangya' Receives Mixed Reactions Domestically and Abroad, Why?

Netflix Movie Tops Non-English Category
Top 10 in 82 Countries Including Italy, France, and Taiwan
"Similar Action D?j? Vu" Lukewarm Reception Domestically
High Interest in Ma Dong-seok's Overseas Recognition

“Another same Ma Dong-seok style action movie” vs “Excellent K-action content starring Ma Dong-seok”

Opinions were divided. While domestic viewers responded with "it's repetitive" to actor Ma Dong-seok's flashy action, overseas audiences cheered that "Korean-style action is worth watching."

Actor Ma Dong-seok (left) and Director Heo Myung-haeng
[Photo by Netflix]

The Netflix online streaming service (OTT) movie Hwangya (director Heo Myeong-haeng), released on the 26th of this month, ranked first in the global 'Top 10' non-English movies category, second overall, and placed within the top 10 in 82 countries just three days after its release. The statistics were compiled from the 'Netflix Top 10 website.' Based on view count (the number of views divided by the total runtime of the work), it recorded 14.3 million views, ranking first in the non-English movie category and second overall. It also ranked within the top 10 in a total of 82 countries including South Korea, Brazil, Italy, Spain, France, and Taiwan.

Hwangya depicts the final battle for survival in a lawless world ruled solely by strength. It is so-called 'post-apocalypse' content dealing with a world after the end times. Director Heo Myeong-haeng, who has long collaborated with Ma Dong-seok on action films, joined forces to complete a raw and rugged action blockbuster. This was Director Heo’s first time taking the helm. The support from his longtime acquaintance Ma Dong-seok served as a stepping stone. Director Heo said, "It is even more meaningful as it provides an opportunity to introduce K-action films and our country’s wonderful action actors to 190 countries through Netflix," and expressed gratitude to the global fans who watched the film.

Hwangya was originally produced with both theatrical release and OTT distribution in mind, but it was not initially planned as a Netflix project. When the decision to go with Netflix was made in November last year, the film industry was taken aback. The frozen theaters had been expecting Ma Dong-seok’s appearance but were disappointed. Expectations were high because the Crime City series, starring and produced by Ma Dong-seok, attracted 10 million viewers twice during the pandemic.

'Wilderness' Behind-the-Scenes Still
[Photo by Netflix]

What is behind the divided opinions?

Hwangya is a film where Ma Dong-seok’s worldview is well alive. The difference is that he carries weapons. While he has mainly showcased so-called 'nuclear fists' and bare-handed boxing-based action in many previous action films, in Hwangya he fights with guns and knives. This acts as a device to inject vitality into his immense presence. The more refreshing action became a driving force that attracted not only domestic but also overseas viewers.

His unique humor code is also well preserved. Despite his heavy build, Ma Dong-seok often delivers humor with a deadpan face, and this shines in Hwangya as well. Humorous lines during slow moments provoke laughter.

This works as both a strength and a weakness. Ma Dong-seok’s refreshing action and humor are familiar to domestic audiences and viewers. Over 20 million viewers watched the second and third installments of Crime City, in which he starred, and he appeared in similar roles in many films such as Train to Busan (2016), Unstoppable (2018), and The Outlaws (2019). Due to this sense of d?j? vu, some domestic viewers respond with fatigue.

There are also criticisms that the setting is similar to last year’s film Concrete Utopia (director Um Tae-hwa). Both Hwangya and Concrete Utopia were produced by Climax Studio and are set in an apocalyptic world. Although the production company denied borrowing the same universe, viewers who watched Hwangya pointed out that there was nothing new.

'Wilderness' stills [Photo by Netflix]

The atmosphere overseas is somewhat different. Many viewers show interest in Ma Dong-seok’s Korean-style action, known from Train to Busan and the Marvel movie Eternals (2021). It is analyzed that the recognition of K-content plays a role in attracting attention. It can be seen that planning and production targeting overseas viewers who have considerable interest in so-called 'K-action' was effective.

A Netflix official self-assessed, "It shows the strength of K-content that captures global attention across genres and themes." They added, "We thank viewers worldwide for their interest in the brilliant imagination of Korean creators realized on screen."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.