Hallyu superstar Lee Joon-gi is gearing up for a highly anticipated return to the historical genre, this time teaming up with streaming giant Netflix.
The actor’s agency, Namoo Actors, officially confirmed the news, stating, “Lee Joon-gi has received an offer to star in the upcoming film Dochabi and is currently reviewing it with a highly positive outlook.” The agency cautiously added that while negotiations are moving smoothly, no final contracts have been officially signed yet.
The Plot: A Gritty Tale of Survival on the Joseon Border
Dochabi—an ancient Korean dialect word translating to “Goblin”—is a high-budget historical action thriller set entirely against the harsh, unforgiving landscapes of the northern border area during the Joseon Dynasty.
The narrative follows Tae-san, a brilliant former military officer who escapes political turmoil to live a quiet, primitive life hiding deep within the mountains. The fragile peace is shattered when external forces converge on the borderland, triggering a deadly game of survival.
In a shocking departure from his usual heroic archetypes, Lee Joon-gi has been offered the central villain role. Insiders hint that his character will provide a terrifying, complex foil to the protagonist, requiring intense physical stunt work and a deeply layered psychological performance.
Behind the Camera: Hit Director Ahn Tae-jin Takes the Helm
Adding to the massive industry buzz is the attachment of director Ahn Tae-jin, a master of historical suspense. Ahn previously achieved critical acclaim and a massive box office triumph with the masterfully tense thriller The Night Owl (2022).
Having also worked on acclaimed productions like The Second Signal, Ahn Tae-jin’s signature style involves pairing claustrophobic, dark historical settings with breathless, high-stakes pacing. His collaboration with Lee Joon-gi—who is famously renowned for executing 100% of his own complex martial arts stunts—promises to deliver some of the most visceral action sequences in recent Korean cinema.
Production Timeline and Global Expansion
Dochabi is currently deep in pre-production, with the creative team finalizing location scouting along Korea’s mountainous regions. Principal photography is tentatively scheduled to begin this upcoming August.
This project marks yet another aggressive step in Lee Joon-gi’s deliberate pivot toward global streaming platforms and pan-Asian collaborations. Beyond his legendary catalog of domestic hits—such as Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, Lawless Lawyer, Flower of Evil, and Arthdal Chronicles: The Sword of Aramun—the actor is already expanding his international footprint.
He is currently preparing to headline the upcoming pan-Asian crime thriller series kiDnap GAME. That project features an elite cross-border cast including Japanese superstar Sakaguchi Kentaro, top Taiwanese actress Ko Chia-yen, and Hong Kong singer-actor Stanley Yau, solidifying Lee Joon-gi’s status as an indispensable global icon.
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