What if your dream home became your biggest nightmare? Netflix's upcoming thriller 84 Square Meters peels back the glossy surface of Korean apartment living to reveal a claustrophobic, high-stakes survival drama.

🏙️ The Symbolic Weight of 84㎡

Known as Korea's "national apartment size," 84 square meters isn't just real estate—it's a cultural milestone. For Woosung (played by Kang Ha-neul), a hardworking young man, it represents success. He pours every last resource—his savings, loans, even his mom's garlic farm—into finally achieving the dream.

But peace doesn't last long. Soon after moving in, mysterious and relentless nighttime noises begin to chip away at his sanity. What follows is a gripping descent into the unexpected, blending real-life struggles with an unpredictable thriller narrative.

🎬 Director Kim Tae-joon's 'Hyper-Realism' Vision

The film comes from Unlocked director Kim Tae-joon, who once again crafts a story rooted in everyday paranoia—this time, it's not hacked smartphones, but the nightmare of thin walls and restless nights.

"More than 80% of Koreans live in shared housing, and most of that is apartments," Kim said. "It's an unavoidable reality—and that's why this topic is so timely and relatable."

🎭 Characters Caught Between Reality and Madness

• Kang Ha-neul as Woosung: A dream-chasing everyman slowly worn down by insomnia and suspicion, even being mistaken for the source of the noise himself.

"He represents the desires and disillusionments of this era—crypto, housing dreams, and hustle culture," Kang noted.

• Yeom Hye-ran as Eunhwa: A cold, calculating penthouse resident and former prosecutor who now heads the resident association.

"She knows how to work the system and lives in the same building—but in a totally different reality," Yeom explained.

• Seo Hyun-woo as Jinho: A mysterious upstairs neighbor and investigative reporter who unexpectedly becomes Woosung's ally.

"He looks tough, but he's driven by empathy," Seo shared. "Helping Woosung becomes his mission."

🔊 The Real Villain? Sound.

In a story about apartment noise, the sound design becomes a major character. Director Kim studied how to blend realistic and surreal noise, making viewers feel the same anxiety as the characters.

"We used small shifts in lighting, set design, and camera movement to reflect Woosung's emotional state within the same space," he said.

🎬 A Directorial Masterclass—Detail-Obsessed and Proud of It

The cast praised Kim's precision.

• "He's so detailed it was overwhelming," Kang Ha-neul joked.
• Seo Hyun-woo added, "He's MBTI 'TJ'—very exacting, very clear on what he wants."
• Yeom Hye-ran said, "He catches the tiniest acting nuances. It was refreshing."

🏠 The Deeper Message

Beyond the thrills, 84 Square Meters questions the changing meaning of home in Korea.

"Today's apartments aren't homes—they're investment assets," Kim said. "I want people to reflect on that."

Yeom added, "I remember when I first moved to Seoul—there was nowhere to rest, even in such a big city. That's what Woosung's going through."

🎥 Why You'll Want to Watch

• Real-time suspense with a tight rhythm and emotional beats
• Masterful ensemble acting and immersive storytelling
• A uniquely Korean setting with globally relatable tension

💥 "It's not just a film—it's an acting showdown," said director Kim. "Forget power performances—it's a full-blown acting storm."

Release Date: July 18 on Netflix
Runtime: 118 minutes
Genre: Reality-rooted thriller / psychological suspense