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Regarding entertainment, it’s reasonable to say that South Korea is swiftly gaining control. What’s next for the Korean film industry, given the success of K-pop, K-dramas, and Korean films at major foreign film festivals? If you’re new to foreign films or a seasoned fan of Korean entertainment, you may be on the lookout for some outstanding Korean movies to watch. If so, you’ve come to the right place.
With films like Train to Busan, The Handmaiden, and Parasite, among others, Korea has established itself as a major player in the film industry. Despite the fact that the country’s filmmakers are particularly skilled in some subgenres, such as psychological thrillers and zombie flicks, Korean movies span the spectrum. Watch one of these excellent South Korean movies on Netflix while doing your online Netflixing. They are some of the best in the service.
Okja:
Year: 2017
Director: Bong Joon-ho
Cast: Tilda Swinton, Paul Dano, An Seo Hyun, Byun Heebong, Steven Yeun, Lily Collins, Yoon Je Moon, Shirley Henderson, Daniel Henshall, Devon Bostick, Woo Shik Choi, Giancarlo Esposito, Jake Gyllenhaal
Runtime: 2 h
IMDB: 7.3/10
Okja is a 2018 South Korean-American fantasy adventure film directed by Bong Joon-ho and written by Bong and Jon Rimmer. The film stars Seunghoon Ahn, Ahn Seo-hyun, Steven Yeun, Tilda Swinton, and Jake Gyllenhaal.
The movie follows a young girl who raised a pig named Okja in the mountains of South Korea. One day, the animal is taken from her to be used as part of a marketing campaign for the meat industry in the United States. With the help of an animal rights group, she embarks on an adventure to find Okja and bring her back to Korea.
Also Read: The 15 Best Netflix Original Movies
Sweet & Sour:
Year: 2021
Director: Kae-Byeok Lee
Cast: Jang Ki-Yong, Krystal Jung, Chae Soo-bin, Jacky Jung, Nick Martineau
Runtime: 1 h 41m
IMDB: 6.7/10
Korean romantic comedy Sweet & Sour explores the trials and joys of dating in a lighthearted way. The film, starring Jang Ki-Yong, Krystal Jung, and Chae Soo-bin, is a contemporary take on the old conventions of romantic comedy, with a youthful, beautiful ensemble. This video may be enjoyed by anyone from all over the world, regardless of their cultural background. This attractive pair must overcome obstacles like flirty coworkers in a long-distance relationship to maintain a strong bond. Love is celebrated in Sweet & Sour, a sweet and sour confection.
Assassination:
Year: 2015
Director: Choi Dong-hoon
Cast: Jun Ji-Hyun, Lee Jung-jae, Cho Jin-woong, Ha Jung-woo, Oh Dal-su
Runtime: 2 h 20m
IMDB: 7.2/10
Anyone bored right now would do well to watch this Korean action thriller about a spy. It is exciting and intriguing. Assassination attempts are the focus of the film, which revolves around a Japanese gang. An armed fighter, Yem Sek-Jin, was chosen to carry out the plot to kill Japan’s military commander in charge of Korean troops. However, they fail due to a ruse carried out by a member of their team. They are also being pursued by their opponents, putting them in even more danger. You’re going to fall in love with this spectacular film! Everything, from the acrobatics to the gunfire, has a fantastic presentation. Not to mention, Netflix has a slew of other popular action flicks that you could enjoy watching as well.
Night in Paradise:
Year: 2020
Director: Park Hoon-Jung
Cast: Tae-goo, Jeon Yeo-been, Seung-wo Cha, Dong-in Cho, Park Ho-San, Bong-sik Hyun, Cha Soon-bae, Byung-ho Son, Lee Gi-yeong, Mun-shik Lee
Runtime: 2 h 11m
IMDB: 6.7/10
Night in Paradise is a terrific pick on Netflix for a classic criminal thriller from South Korea. Uhm Tae-goo is Park Tae-goo, a gangster who refuses to join the rival Bukseong gang, resulting in his whole family’s death. Tae-goo retaliates by murdering the guys responsible and flees to Jeju Island, a beautiful island on the Korean peninsula. Kim Jae-Yeon is a woman with a fatal disease, and the two create an emotional bond as a result of his meeting her. As the Bukseong gang pursues Tae-goo on the island, Tae-problems goo’s continue to follow him. Retribution tales with intriguing antiheroes are a specialty of South Korean writers. Because of his devotion, Tae-life goo is flipped upside down, and the one thing he values most in his family is snatched from him forever. The two create a new life together after meeting in Jae-Yeon, where Tae-goo had a similar experience and ended up alone but didn’t want to stay. In this intense tale of retribution, their bond serves as the emotional focus around which the plot revolves.
Forgotten:
Year: 2017
Director: Jang Hang-jun
Kang Haneul, Kim Muyeol, Na Younghee, Moon Sung-geun, Yeon Je Hyung, Na-ra Lee, Myung-Ryul Nam
Runtime: 1 h 48m
IMDB: 7.4/10
Several different genres bundled into one film? Does it strike you as odd? After seeing “Forgotten,” you won’t feel that way anymore. The movie is filled with suspense, thrillers, horror, science fiction, murder mysteries, and mysteries in general! A young man named Jin-Seok, who was present during the kidnapping of his older brother Yoo-Seok on a cloudy and wet day, saw it happen. He watches as his brother is dragged to a waiting vehicle. The tragedy has been in the past for nineteen days when, all of a sudden, his brother comes back. This is the point when the suspense begins. Now that his brother has been taken captive, Jin is determined to find out the truth about what happened. Your pulse rate is going to speed up since the movie has a lot of scary scenes and frequent bloodshed.
Space Sweepers:
Year: 2021
Director: Jo Sung-hee
Cast: Song Joong-ki, Kim Tae-ri, Jin Seon-kyu, Yoo Hae-jin, Hae-Jin Yoo, Richard Armitage, Ye-Rin Park, Mu-Yeol Kim, Ji-Yeol Oh, Hyang-gi Kim
Runtime: 2 h 16m
IMDB: 6.5/10
There are many sci-fi and fantasy movies in Korean cinema. It’s 2092, and the Earth has grown so uninhabitable that everyone who can has fled to outer space to survive. The building of an orbiting structure to transfer chosen inhabitants to paradise is underway by a large firm named UTS. Many individuals work as “space sweepers,” or people who gather the junk from space around Earth and sell it in order to make a living. Those without wealth or privilege are essentially out of luck. One of these crews, the Space Sweepers, is forced to go up against UTS when they discover a stowaway child named Dorothy (Park Ye-rin), greatly sought after by the company. The team is torn between protecting the girl from UTS and selling her for money. UTS believes she is a robot weapon, but they can’t help but fall in love with her. Among the cast is The Handmaiden’s Kim Tae-ri as Captain Jang, Song Joong-ki as ex-soldier Kim Tae-ho, Jin Seon-Tiger Kyu’s Park, and Yoo Hae-robot jin’s Bubs. Kim Tae-ri portrays Captain Jang. Additionally, Richard Armitage appears as James Sullivan, the obnoxious CEO of UTS.
Time to Hunt:
Year: 2020
Director: Yoon Sung-Hyun
Cast: Ahn Jae‑hong, Lee Je‑hoon, Choi Woo‑shik, Park Hae Soo, Jeong Min Park, Greg Chun, Johnny Yong Bosch, Keong Sim, Stephen Fu, Christopher Sean
Runtime: 2 h 14m
IMDB: 6.3/10
In a dystopian near-future, when poverty is even more prevalent and terrible, Time to Hunt is a thriller from Netflix. A gang of pals is anxious to leave the city and begin a new life, so they get together to pull off one more robbery, this time targeting a well-known gaming establishment. The proprietors of the gambling establishment decide to react, employing a brutal assassin to track down the four pals and recover the money and security hard drives they took during the theft. Choi Woo-shik, the son of Parasite, Lee Je-hoon, Ahn Jae-hong, Park Jung-min, and Park Hae-soo feature in Yoon’s Sung film. Hyun’s If you like heist movies or high-octane thrillers, you’ll love Time to Hunt. The four pals are in a life-or-death struggle throughout the film.
Also Read: The 15 Best Horror Movies On Netflix to Watch in 2022
Tune in for Love:
Year: 2019
Director: Jung Ji-woo
Cast: Kim Go-eun, Jung Hae-in, Park Hae-joon, Kim Guk-Hee, Jeong Eu-Gene, Choi Joon-Young, Kim Dae-Gon, Shim Dal Gi, Andy Han, Kim Han-na
Runtime: 2 h 2m
IMDB: 7.1/10
Tune in for Love, starring Jung Hae-in as Hyun-woo and Kim Go-eun as Mi-soo, tells the tale of two star-crossed lovers as they go through the ups and downs of their relationship over a period of years. They first met in a bakery where Mi-soo worked in 1994 and quickly became friends, but mysterious events kept them apart. They can’t seem to get a break, whether it’s a forgotten email password, a damaged phone, or even prison time. That doesn’t stop them from searching for one another throughout the years, no matter how many difficulties life throws. Tune in for Love is ideal if you’re looking for a sincere, gentle romance.
Seoul Searching:
Year: 2015
Director: Benson Lee
Cast: Justin Chon, Esteban Ahn, Albert Kong, Jessica Van, Teo Yoo, In-Pyo Cha, Justin Chon, Rosalina Lee, Byeol Kang, Albert Kong
Runtime: 1 h 45m
IMDB: 7.0/10
Non-Korean audiences will find “Seoul Searching” an enjoyable and uplifting teenage film. The film is based on Benson Lee’s own experiences as a teenager. When it comes to depicting what it means to be Korean, Seoul Searching has done an excellent job. Seoul Searching is like a mixture between The Breakfast Club and a little bit of Crazy Rich Asians, with its mix of fights, action, tearjerking moments, and romantic connections. If you’re an adolescent, you’ll be able to identify more with this film.
The Bros:
Year: 2017
Director: Benson Lee
Cast: Ma Dong-seok, Lee Hanee, Ji Chang-wook, Lee Dong-hwi, Ji Chang-Wook, Min-seo Kim, Oh Man-seok, Hyun-chul Seo, Yeong-Soon Son
Runtime: 1 h 42m
IMDB: 6.1/10
In the wake of the death of their father, two estranged brothers are compelled to work together in a comical misadventure as they go through all of the Korean funeral rituals. The film is directed by Chang You-jeong and stars Ma Dong-Seok as Lee Seok-bong and Lee Dong-hwi as Lee Joo-bong, the two brothers in question, who Marvel fans will recognize from their roles as Gilgamesh and Joo-bong in Eternals. While Seok-bong, the elder, more immature brother, is a history teacher, Joo-bong, the organized, ambitious younger brother, tries to exploit the funeral to persuade his family to sell the family property. So much is going on between the two brothers, who have not seen or spoken to each other since their mother’s burial. They also struck a lady on the way to their father’s memorial service, causing her to lose her memory. The Bros. follows two brothers as they attempt to mend their fractured relationship in the middle of a bizarre predicament. After learning their whole backstory, you can’t help but pull for the deceitful siblings and the lady who brings them back together.
Psychokinesis:
Year: 2018
Director: Yeon Sang-ho
Cast: Ryu Seung-ryong, Shim Eun-kyung, Park Jung-min, Kim Min-jae, Jung Yu-mi, Young-Sun Kim, Yeong-gi Jeong, Soo-jung Ye
Runtime: 1 h 41m
IMDB: 5.9/10
Psychokinesis is one of Korea’s first superhero films, written and directed by Yeon Sang-ho, who previously led Train to Busan in 2016. No one would expect Ryu Seung-ryong, who plays a security guard named Shin Seok-heon, to end up as a hero in this film. It’s up to Seok-heon to assist his daughter Shin Roo-mi and prevent her construction firm from being shut down by an evil mob when a weird meteor provides him the gift of telekinesis. As Seok-heon struggles to be both a hero for the city and a better parent to his daughter Roo-mi, the film Psychokinesis is action-packed and hilarious. One of Netflix’s current hidden jewels, the 2018 film is an undervalued and extremely enjoyable alternative superhero narrative.
Also Read: List of 15 Best Romantic Movies On Netflix To Stream in 2022
The Drug King:
Year: 2018
Director: Woo Min-ho
Cast: Kang-ho Song, Bae Doona, Jo Jung-suk, Kim So-jin, Jo Woo-jin, Si-Won Cha, Ju-Seon Eo, Chang-Hyeon Han, Ga-Yoon Heo, Woo-jin Jo, Dae-Myung Kim
Runtime: 2 h 19 m
IMDB: 6.2/10
The two hours of this film seem like 20 minutes when you’re viewing it all at once! The story of Lee Doo-Sam, a Korean smuggler, is told in the film The Drug King. It wasn’t until the 1970s that Lee Do-Sam built up an empire of drug traffickers in Busan’s underground. On the other hand, Kim In-goo wants him to fall (the public prosecutor). Lee Doo-nemesis Sam’s Kim In-goo has arrived. Who, however, emerges victorious? Well, you’ll have to keep an eye on this one. If you’re a fan of the series, check out our Underworld movies in order blog.
The Reservoir Game:
Year: 2017
Director: Jin-sung Choi
Cast: Kim Eui-sung, Hong Ik-Pyo, Jung Jae-Ho, Lee Ji-Hyung, Joo Jin-Woo, Jo Mi-Rae, Lee Myung-Park, Kim Woo-Nam, Lee Yo-Sub,
Runtime: 1 h 40 m
IMDB: 6.0/10
On the list, The Reservoir Game tells the narrative of journalist Joo Jin-research to woo’s into the location of a purported hoard of riches kept by the former South Korean president Lee Myung-bak. Nonghyup Bank and a group of investors struck a substantial agreement in 2013, however, the contract “fell through” before construction could begin, and the investors lost a lot of money. A large quantity of money is said to have been stashed away by Lee, who served as president from 2008 to 2013. However, even after the previous president was condemned to prison for his corrupt and unlawful acts, reporter Joo’s curiosity about where the stolen money was prompted him and director Choi Jin-seong to fly to Canada in order to follow up on a tip. The film takes an in-depth look at the scam’s inception and execution. An intriguing and intricate real tale, The Reservoir Game depicts a group of individuals committed to holding those in high positions of power accountable for their political and financial crimes.
Lucid Dream:
Year: 2017
Director: Jun-sung Kim
Cast: Sol Kyung-gu, Go Soo, Kang Hye-jeong, Yu Chun Park, In-hwan Park, Ho-jin Chun, Jun Suk-ho, Kang-Hoon Kim, Nico Birnbaum, Hwa-Yeong Lim,
Runtime: 1 h 41 m
IMDB: 6.1/10
Another stunning and one-of-a-kind film that seems like a dream is Lucid Dream. The journalist, who has been searching for his kid for the last three years, is now making an effort to locate clues to his son’s whereabouts by using his lucid dreams and the lucid dreams of other people. The narrative shifts between the actual world and the dream world during the film, which not only contributes to the film’s high level of tension but also makes it one of the most highly recommended Korean films available on Netflix.
The Call:
Year: 2020
Director: Lee Chung-hyun
Cast: Park Shin-Hye, Jeon Jong-seo, Kim Sung-ryung, Lee El, Park Ho-San, Moon Chang-gil, Oh Jeong-Se, Kyeong-sook Jo, Eugene Ko, Grace Lynn Kung
Runtime: 1 h 52 m
IMDB: 7.1/10
Those looking for a genuinely mind-melting mystery thriller should check out The Call. Lee Chung-Hyeon is directing the 2020 film, which stars Park Shin-Hye as Kim Seo-Yeon, a young lady who discovers an old phone in her childhood house and begins receiving calls on it. The lady on the other end of the line, portrayed by Jeon Jong-Seo, goes by the name Oh Young-sook and claims to be calling from a time period 20 years ago. When they communicate with one another, the two ladies are able to get through their challenging and stressful situations. The consequences of her life changes are far worse than she ever expected, and the lady on the other end of the phone isn’t exactly who she thought she was. The Call is an exciting read. It’s an action-packed worst-case scenario of what may happen if we were able to alter the past. The film’s two protagonists are utterly fascinating, and the film’s twists and turns will surprise you at every turn.
Pandora:
Year: 2016
Director: Park Jung-woo
Cast: Daekyum Ahn, Do-bin Baek, Seung-Hoon Choi, Sung-Wook Eo, Bae Gang-Yoo, Jo Han-chul, Kim Han-Jong, Kwon Hong-Suk, Kim Hye-Eun, In-gi Jeong
Runtime: 2 h 16 m
IMDB: 6.6/10
In this day and age, when movies like “Avengers” and “Fast and Furious” are set in fictitious worlds, movies like “Pandora” force us to confront the real-life repercussions of a catastrophic event. The work of art that is Pandora will leave you speechless and amazed. It depicts a day of devastation in South Korea after an explosion at a nuclear power facility triggered by an earthquake. The movie will make you feel a wide range of emotions, including happiness, sorrow, and even worry. Not only that, but it also instructs viewers on how they should behave when confronted with similar challenges.
Also Read: List of 15 Best Mystery Movies On Netflix To Watch in 2022
Wish You:
Year: 2020
Director: Do Joon Sung
Cast: Sang Lee, Kang Ye Na, Subin Park, Baek Seo-Bin, Kang In Soo, Jung Ji Yeon
Runtime: 10 m
IMDB: 6.5/10
If you’re looking for another sweet love story, check out Wish You, about a bashful pianist (Lee Sang) working at a prominent record company. His heart is at first drawn to the guy, Kang In-su (Kang In-fictitious sooSoo’s version of himself), who sings on the street. Fortunately for In-soo, who is about to give up on his music career, Sang-Yi recommends In-songs soo to his employer, providing him with a big chance. Insoo moved into his new label’s staff housing with Sang-Yi as a type of manager in order to focus on his songs. Even when they spend more time together, Sang-Yi realizes that his love isn’t entirely one-sided. Wish You is a fantastic movie to watch with a clear plot when you need a fast pick-me-up. Wish You was written and directed by Seong Do-Joon. I hope you were a small step in the direction of a more accepting society for transgender people in Korea. Wish You is a good example of how the Korean entertainment industry is progressively becoming more accepting of characters and themes.
The Chase:
Year: 2017
Director: Kim Hong-sun
Cast: Kim Hye-in, Sung Dong-il, Wi Ha-joon, Yun-Shik Baek,
Runtime: 1h 50 m
IMDB: 6.6/10
The Chase is an outstanding example of South Korean cinema’s serial-killer subgenre and is considered one of the best Korean films of all time. This picture is jam-packed with tension, comedy, and thrills that make it impossible to take one’s eyes off the screen for even a second. The movie’s plot centers on a landlord who teams up with a retired detective to investigate a murder that occurred 30 years ago but still hasn’t been solved. The film needs no introduction and is definitely something that everyone should see at least once.
Steel Rain:
Year: 2017
Director: Woo-seok Yang
Cast: Kwak Do‑won, Jo Woo‑jin, Kim Kap‑soo, Kim Ui‑Seong
Runtime: 2h 19 m
IMDB: 7.1/10
In spite of being encircled by members of the coup, a North Korean spy and the wounded head of the nation flee to the South in an effort to rescue the latter. Because he is the only one who can put an end to the nuclear war, the leader has a significant amount of importance. Due to the powerful narrative in this political thriller film, it is now ranked as one of the best Korean movies available on Netflix.
Alive:
Year: 2020
Director: Cho II-Hyung
Cast: Yoo Ah-In, Park Shin-Hye, Jeon Bae-Soo, Hyun Wook-Lee
Runtime: 1h 38 m
IMDB: 6.3/10
After an unidentified sickness sweeps across a whole city, this film follows the tale of one guy who is the only person who has managed to survive. It will be difficult for him to cope with all those zombies as they are wandering about everywhere and are ready to strike at any moment. Will he be able to make it through all of this mayhem? Watching the movie is the only way to get the answer to that question.
Conclusion:
Having a wide variety of movies to choose from is one of the finest aspects of the medium. In the movies, you may get a better sense of the many existing cultures and attitudes. In addition to Hollywood and Bollywood, Korean cinema is building a name for itself in the film industry. High-quality films and original plots are drawing attention to it.
Whether you’ve never seen a Korean film before or are having trouble finding one, we’ve got you covered. A list of the finest Korean movies available on Netflix can be found in this article. Cinematography and story twists make these films a visual treat for the eyes. So, what are you waiting for? I hope you’ll like these films!
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