Top 10 Korean Movies of All Time (Updated 2022)
Korean cinema has a huge collection of fascinating and delightful movies. While watching them, you’ll get fascinated by the Korean language and culture for sure. So here are some popular Korean movies which we think are worth your time! Genres like horror, action, comedy, thriller, romance, and more, you’ll get all types of suggestions in here. Here goes the top 10 list of the most trending Korean Movies –
1. Parasite (2019)
Of course this movie has to be in the list, as it has won four Oscars for Best Original Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Picture in 2020. With Bong Joon Ho’s direction, the movie has portrayed thriller, drama and comedy that is definitely worth watching. The movie depicts the story of ‘Kims’, a family that lives in the slums and how they manage to get jobs in a wealthy family, the ‘Parks’. But their luck, fortune and lives get threatened, when a danger occurs from the rich family’s ex-maid.
2. The Handmaiden (2016)
It is based on the novel ‘Fingersmith’ written by Welsh novelist Sarah Waters. Although the novel’s story was based in the Victorian-era of Britain, this movie is set in 1930s Korea colonized by Japan. It tells the story of a Korean maid who works under a rich Japanese woman. She actually has a plan to defraud her rich employer and run away with money. But her plans take a turn, when emotions come in the way. The movie is filled with love, murder, thriller, melodrama and lots of evilness.
3. Minari (2020)
This Oscar-nominated movie is not exactly a representative of Korean film industry, but it portrays Korean culture and pride very well. The supporting actress Yuh Jung Youn has also won an Oscar for this movie, making her the first Korean actress to do so. Set in the 1980s, a Korean family moves from California to a rural area in Arkansas. In pursuit of stability, they struggle and try to achieve their American dream. The movie is just so calming and healing.
4. Train to Busan (2016)
This 2016 zombie thriller is best in it’s genre. The story depicts the struggles and survival of passengers who travel from Seoul to Busan, as a zombie virus breaks out in the country. The film is was a hit internationally and also got a midnight slot at the Cannes Film Festival where they received the longest standing ovation ever.
5. The Beauty Inside (2015)
A man is used to a strange phenomenon of waking up with a new face and body everyday. Apparently, he falls in love with a girl working at the furniture store. He would come to her store everyday, acting like a different customer every time. After asking her on a date, they eventually fall in love. But he avoids sleep for as long as he can, hoping that he wouldn’t wake up with a new face. How long can he stay awake? Will the girl know the truth about him? How will she react to it?
6. The Host (2006)
Long before making ‘Parasite’, Bong Joon Ho did an incredible job in the 2006 movie ‘The Host’. The story is based in Seoul and tells about a family that tries to save their young daughter from a monster. The monster has actually emerged from the toxic waste dumped in the Han river by the American military. This monster-horror film is definitely worth your time.
7. My Sassy Girl (2001)
This romantic-comedy is a classic among Korean films. The story tells about a young man who comes across a drunk young woman standing dangerously close to a train in Metro Station. By helping her, he develops a sense of responsibility for the troublesome girl. With hilarious comedy and authentic chemistry, the movie is definitely a must watch.
8. Burning (2018)
This masterpiece was selected as an entry by South Korea for the Oscar in Best Foreign Language Film. After a young man’s father is imprisoned, he gets the responsibility of taking care of his farm. He eventually comes across a girl who was her childhood friend. But he notices something strange, when he meets the girl’s rich friend who has a dark secret and a hobby that he does in his free time.
9. Okja (2017)
Another excellent work from Bong Joon Ho, depicts the story of young Mija who has been a caretaker for her massive animal friend Okja. She risks everything and tries to rescue Okja when a multinational company tries to kidnap her big friend. The story portrays evil mankind and sends a good message for the viewers.
10. Extreme Job (2019)
This action-comedy movie revolves around a group of detectives who go undercover to investigate a drug case. They began to work as employees in a fried chicken restaurant. But they find themselves in an unexpected situation, when the restaurant suddenly becomes the hottest and famous place in the town for it’s chicken!
