The last month of the year heralds a season like no other. We’re ringing in the happy holidays for sure, but a big part of the season is often also spent at home; in the promised hours we’ve carved out for ourselves to rest, relax and recharge. In those precious moments in our humble abodes, many will be looking to the latest roster of on-screen entertainment to put on. True enough, December’s lineup will seek to satiate any television buff in the crowd, be it whether you’re on the lookout for a festive jingle or some very binge-worthy South Korean dramas in your time off.
First things first, The Trunk, which has already been gaining traction all over social media for its starry leads Gong Yoo and Seo Hyun-jin alone. This gripping series cross-cuts between past and present to slowly peel the layers of a larger mystery—painting the darker, more twisted aspects of a slow, burning romance. Next on the list of Korean dramas would be Light Shop, Disney+’s adaptation of yet another webtoon by Kangfull, the renowned creator of the highly-popular Moving. Yet another masterclass in transforming the ordinary into a world of fantasy, this series follows an ensemble cast of Ju Ji-hoon, Park Bo-young, Kim Min-ha, Kim Seol-hyun and more, as they play a group of strangers who meet in a suspicious ‘light shop’ at the end of an alley, all connected by their inability to move on from the past. Needless to say, all eyes will be on the release of Squid Game 2 this month, which will see Lee Jung-jae reprise his role as Gi-hun and return to the deadly survival game alongside some very recognisable fresh faces.
But if it’s a holiday special you’re looking for, then allow 2024’s pop princess Sabrina Carpenter to take the lead. Beyond glittering performances of her holiday EP fruitcake, one can expect guest performers Chappell Roan, Quinta Brunson and Tyla to also make an appearance. A perfect option to put on during that cosy Christmas gathering you’ve got coming up, if anything.
Below, peruse our full curation of what to watch in December, all available on popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+ and Prime Video.
1 / 7
Squid Game Season 2
It’s been three years since the South Korean survival thriller took the world by storm and now the highly-anticipated season two of Squid Game is upon us. Lee Jung-jae reprises his role as the titular character Gi-hun, who once again finds himself diving headfirst into the macabre life-or-death survival game. All to win a prize of 45.6 billion won. While new players are introduced in this round of games—think famed names like Im Si-wan, Jo Yu-ri, Park Sung Hoon and T.O.P from BigBang joining the star-studded cast—Season 2 also brings back faces we’ve seen in the first season, with Lee Byung-hun returning as the Front Man, Wi Ha-jun as the brave and righteous police officer and Gong Yoo who makes another cameo as the Squid Game’s recruiter.
Watch Squid Game Season 2 on Netflix from 26 December 2024.
2 / 7
A Nonsense Christmas with Sabrina Carpenter
On the heels of the success from her Short n’ Sweet Tour, Sabrina Carpenter is all ready for the holidays in her first-ever variety music special. The halls within this quirky extravaganza are certainly decked; as the Grammy winner will perform songs from her holiday EP fruitcake as well as other holiday covers for a hearty sing-along. Apart from the ever-so merry Santa, look forward to guest performances and appearances by Chappell Roan, Tyla, Shania Twain, Quinta Brunson and more.
Watch A Nonsense Christmas with Sabrina Carpenteron Netflix from 6 December 2024.
3 / 7
It Ends With Us
Based on best-selling novel It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover, the film adaption sees Blake Lively (Lily) and Justin Baldoni (Ryle) starring opposite one another as lovers. Following a whirlwind romance that seems perfect at the start, cracks soon form as Ryle begins to exhibit traces of his aggressive and violent nature. More than just another love story, the film touches on important themes of domestic abuse and how Lily, a survivor finds the courage to break the cycle.
Watch It Ends With Us on Netflix from 9 December 2024.
4 / 7
The Trunk
A contract marriage. One mysterious trunk. Gong Yoo and Seo Hyun-jin both star in this suspenseful melodrama, based on the novel The Trunk by South Korean writer Kim Ryeo-ryeong. A woman, Noh In-ji who works at an agency assigned to contract husbands every year meets Han Jeong-won, a desperate man who finds himself in a marital agreement in order to save his previous marriage. One day, they discover a suspicious trunk, which then triggers a series of events.
Watch The Trunk on Netflix.
5 / 7
Culpa Tuya
The sequel to Spanish film Culpa Mia (My Fault), Culpa Tuya (Your Fault) sees step-siblings Noah and Nick navigating their new romance against their parents’ behest. And beyond the objection, new obstacles and temptations arise for the young couple as Noah starts her year at college and Nick dives into his career. As their relationship is put to the test, can they rise up above it all?
Watch Culpa Tuya on Prime Video from 27 December 2024.
6 / 7
Secret Level
An epic clash of some of the most popular gaming narratives meets in Secret Level. From the visionaries of the highly-popular Love, Death+Robots, this revolutionary gaming anthology series features a flurry of original stories from beloved games like Concord, Crossfire, Exodus, The Outer Worlds, and Warhammer 40,000. Some episodes might be side quests through the lands of Dungeons & Dragons, whilst other might put the spotlight on indie games such as the rogue genius that is Sifu. Doesn’t hurt that you’ve got some of the biggest silver screen names voicing the myriad characters in the series, from Keanu Reeves to Arnold Schwarzenegger and Kevin Hart.
Watch Secret Level on Prime Video from 10 December 2024.
7 / 7
Light Shop
Remember Kangfull of Moving? The South Korean author is behind yet another soon-to-be hit, Light Shop, which original title was Shop of the Lamp. At the end of a dark alley, lies a light shop that is owned by Ju Ji-hoon’s character, Wonyoung. Seemingly innocuous, the shop welcomes all kinds of strangers to its front, all crippling under the weight of indescribable grief and loss. Starring an ensemble cast of Park Bo-young, Kim Min-ha and Bae Sung-woo, Kim Seol-hyun, Lee Jung-eun, these strangers meet in a place that toes the line between life and death.
Watch Light Shop on Disney+ from 4 December 2024.
