Cicada

Duk-bae is a seasoned Dasiraegi performer who puts on a stage play-like ritual that ushers the dead into the next life and comforts the bereaved family. His estranged daughter Su-nam comes back home with her child Flower when she hears of her grandmother’s passing after leaving Jindo 20 years ago. Flower is initially scared of her grandfather, but Duk-bae soon opens his heart to the little girl. Su-nam’s trauma kicks in whenever she hears cicadas' crying that she heard when she witnessed her mother committing suicide as a child. Finally, Duk-bae begins the last Dasiraegi of his life to save Su-nam who has been driven to the cliff of life without any hope.

Directed by Lee Chung-ryoul, Cicada leans on a strong ensemble — Lee Yang-hee, Joo Bo-bi, Seo Yeon-woo — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 2022.