This Week's OTT: Unity Through Confrontation?! <Pagu> and More New OTT Releases for the Second Week of June 2025 (6/12~6/18)

The new OTT releases for the second week of June feature many works depicting unavoidable confrontations. A Korean noir film capturing the clash between a killer with something to protect and one with nothing to lose, along with a series tracking a serial killer father and a genius forensic pathologist, are on the way. The confrontation between a papal candidate hiding the truth and someone who must expose their corruption also allows for not a moment of boredom. We cannot miss the comical struggle of cells trying to protect health against pathogens threatening our bodies. Let’s take a sneak peek at this week’s new OTT releases that promise to be immersive in many ways.

The Korean noir that received much love in theatres earlier this year is landing on OTT. The film <Pagu>, adapted from the novel of the same name, features a legendary killer who has been active for over 40 years in an organization that deals with cockroach-like humans, and the mysterious killer Toro who has pursued him all his life. The fierce battle between the two, along with the stories revealed as the narrative progresses, emotionally shakes the viewer's heart.

<Pagu> was invited to the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, showcasing exceptional quality. Director Min Kyu-dong, known for his distinctive direction across various genres from <The Second Story of the High School Ghost Story> to <The Most Beautiful Week of My Life> and <Antique Bakery>, challenges the action noir genre to create an excellent piece. As a work depicting the confrontation of killers, the presence of the two leads, Lee Hye-young and Kim Sung-cheol, is dazzling. Lee Hye-young, playing the role of the killer, brings not only the experience of a veteran but also a passion in action that rivals younger actors. Kim Sung-cheol, portraying the relentless killer Toro, also exudes an extraordinary force. The unique perspectives towards the killer amidst merciless action add to the film's mystery, while the dense emotional performances are portrayed realistically. What shocking secrets will be revealed behind the confrontation of these two who risk everything? <Pagu>, which speaks to the present of Korean noir, will be available for free to Coupang Play subscribers from June 13 to 15.

The immersive thriller <Conclave>, recognised by the Academy, will be released on Disney+. A 'Conclave' is held to elect a new pope following the sudden passing of the previous one. Cardinal Lawrence is chosen to oversee the election and scrutinises each candidate closely. However, even this solemn and fair gathering becomes muddied by personal interests and calculations, leading the next pope's position into a labyrinth.

<Conclave> is based on the novel of the same name by Robert Harris and directed by Edward Berger, who helmed <All Quiet on the Western Front>. Building on the unique directorial skills shown in his previous work, he impressively conveys the weight of the 'Conclave', which is different from secular elections. British actor Ralph Fiennes stars as Cardinal Lawrence, who presides over the Conclave, driving the narrative forward. The revelation of the candidates' sordid pasts and corruptions provides a peculiar thrill while deeply portraying the ongoing concerns about the delayed papal election. This film, which was nominated in multiple categories at the Golden Globes, British Academy, and Oscars earlier this year, showcases a high-calibre thriller through OTT.

<The Hunter with a Scalpel> tells the story of genius forensic pathologist Se-hyun, who discovers traces of her father's murders while performing an autopsy and sets out to catch him before the police, wanting to hide her past she wishes to erase. The series received much attention after being officially invited to the 8th Cannes Series Rendezvous section ahead of its domestic release.

The concept of a daughter needing to stop her serial killer father welcomes genre fans. Park Joo-hyun, who is actively working in both film and drama, plays Se-hyun, the daughter of the serial killer. As she discovers traces of her father, whom she thought was dead, she becomes a character who must hide her expressions on the line between good and evil. It is also exciting to see Park Yong-woo as the serial killer Jo-kyun. He appears as a seemingly kind laundromat owner but is a mad killer always craving the taste of blood, adding tension to the story. Kang Hoon, who has been loved for his gentle image, takes on the role of the strong team leader Jung-hyun, showing a new side as he becomes entangled with forensic pathologist Se-hyun, realising that the murder case is related to him, and portraying the character's confusion in a delicate manner. The striking story of the confrontation between a serial killer father and his forensic pathologist daughter shines in <The Hunter with a Scalpel>, which will be presented on Disney+ on June 16, with 16 episodes released over the following four weeks.

<Inside Out> and <Yumi's Cells> tell the story of another self within us, and this work will be released on Netflix. Particularly, this work adds interest by conveying the message that "a healthy mind comes from a healthy body." Based on the Japanese manga of the same name, <Cells at Work> depicts the so-called "greatest battle within the body" between pathogens threatening the health of an ordinary father and daughter and the cells trying to stop them.

<Cells at Work> is a conceptually ingenious work. By personifying various cells within the human body, it creates a commotion that resembles a glimpse into human society, evoking laughter. The battles between cells and pathogens are presented on a scale akin to a sci-fi war, capturing the fun of visual spectacle. Nagano Mei, who has grown into a representative actress in Japan from a child actor, and Sato Takeru, known for <Rurouni Kenshin> and <First Love Hatsukoi>, appear as red and white blood cells trying to protect health at the front lines of the body, creating a healthy chemistry. Notably, Sato Takeru exudes a unique charisma despite the challenges of full-body makeup. <Cells at Work> intriguingly depicts the question, "What is happening inside my body right now?" After watching this work, one might find themselves grateful to the cells within their body and meet a version of themselves that pays more attention to health.

Editor Hong Seon of Taylor Contents