Actor Lee Sang-yi has decided to take the offer to star in the upcoming Netflix movie Dochabi, according to a report from OSEN on the 7th. With that decision now in place, the project is moving forward with one of Korea’s most consistently busy actors attached to its lead cast.
A Historical Film Rooted in Korean Folklore
Dochabi is a historical drama that draws its motif from the Dokkaebi, the well-known goblins of Korean folklore. While Dokkaebi have appeared in many modern Korean films and dramas over the years, adapting them into a full-scale historical setting gives this film a different angle. Instead of leaning only into fantasy elements for spectacle, a period backdrop allows room to explore how these legendary figures were interpreted in older stories. For viewers both in Korea and abroad, that blend of folklore and history can offer a fresh take that still feels distinctly Korean, which is one of the reasons Netflix has continued to invest in such genre projects.
A Production Team With Proven Results
Much of the early attention around Dochabi comes from the team behind it. The film will be produced by Onda Works, the company responsible for the mega-hit The Man Who Lives with King, which drew about 17 million viewers in the first half of this year. That level of commercial success puts a fair amount of expectation on their next release. Directing the film is Ahn Tae-jin, whose past work includes the film The Owl and the tvN drama Signal 2. Both projects were known for their tight pacing and careful build-up of tension, qualities that could fit well with a historical film that also draws from folklore. With this combination of production and direction, Dochabi is shaping up to be more than just a star-driven vehicle.
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Lee Sang-yi’s Role and a Stacked Cast
In Dochabi, Lee Sang-yi will play the character Park Se-ryong. He will be joined by a strong cast that includes Jeon Jong-seo, Kim Do-hoon, and Lee Joon-gi. For Lee Sang-yi, this role adds another layer to a filmography that has been expanding in many directions over the past few years. What stands out most at the moment is his pace of work. So far this year alone, he has appeared in Netflix’s The Hunting Dogs Season 2, Tving’s Legend of the Cook, and the currently airing MBC Friday-Saturday drama Married Woman Killer. On top of that, seasons one and two of the tvN variety show Bogum Magical round out an unusually packed schedule. That level of consistency shows a performer who is steadily building range across both drama and variety, which makes his casting in Dochabi all the more notable for audiences following his career.
When to Expect Dochabi and What’s Next
With casting now finalized, Dochabi is set to begin filming in the second half of this year. Meanwhile, fans of Lee Sang-yi’s variety work won’t have to wait too long, as Bogum Magical Season 2 is scheduled to premiere this coming November. These two back-to-back milestones give viewers different sides of him within a short span of time. For international fans especially, having a Netflix film like Dochabi on the horizon means his work will reach an even wider audience at a time when Korean historical and folklore-based titles continue to draw global interest.
Why Lee Sang-yi Dochabi Matters
The significance of Lee Sang-yi Dochabi goes beyond just one casting announcement. It reflects the ongoing appeal of Korean folklore on global platforms, the weight of a proven production team, and the steady rise of an actor who has built momentum through sheer volume of quality work. With filming set for the second half of the year, the project is one to watch as it develops, offering both longtime fans and new viewers a reason to keep an eye on what comes next.
