153 Essential Korean Films: From Classics to Hidden Gems
153 titles
- 101
The Witch: Part 1. The SubversionMovie · 2018 · 126m · Action, Mystery, Science FictionJa-yoon, a high school student, experiences memory loss stemming from a childhood trauma. As she investigates the past, she's drawn into a criminal underworld, embarking on a journey that unearths long-buried secrets.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.9 - 102
Operation ChromiteMovie · 2016 · 111m · History, Drama, WarDuring the critical Battle of Incheon in the Korean War, a group of soldiers fight.IMDb 6.2TMDB 5.8 - 103
The Long Way HomeMovie · 2015 · 111mNam-bok, a middle-aged South Korean farmer, is drafted into the military and tasked with delivering a top-secret document crucial to the war effort. He loses the document during an enemy attack, and it falls into the hands of a teenage North Korean soldier named Yeong-gwang, who is on his way to the North.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.9 - 104
Be with YouMovie · 2018 · 132m · Romance, Drama, FantasyWoo-jin and his son Ji-ho are grieving the loss of Woo-jin's wife, Soo-a, who died a year ago. She had promised to return with the start of the rainy season. When the rainy season arrives, Soo-a reappears, but she doesn't remember her husband or son, despite deeply loving them both.IMDb 7.7TMDB 8.2 - 105
Heart BlackenedMovie · 2017 · 125m · Crime, Thriller, DramaA father desperately tries to prove his daughter's innocence in the murder of her fiancée. As evidence mounts against her, he decides to take the law into his own hands, determined to save her and evade the justice system.IMDb 6.6TMDB 7.0 - 106
Feng ShuiMovie · 2018 · 126mPark Jae-sang, a royal geomancer, advises people on auspicious locations for buildings and burial sites, believing these choices influence their descendants' futures. After exposing a conspiracy concerning the Crown Prince's burial, he loses his family. Driven by revenge, Park Jae-sang uncovers a far-reaching plot connected to choosing burial sites – a plot that could determine the next King of Joseon.IMDb 6.2TMDB 7.2 - 107
Seven Years of NightMovie · 2018 · 123mIn a quiet lakeside town, this suspenseful thriller follows a carefully planned revenge plot spanning seven years, triggered by the accidental death of a young girl.IMDb 5.8TMDB 5.8 - 108
The Great BattleMovie · 2018 · 135m · War, History, Action645 AD. The Tang Dynasty's Emperor Taizong launches a brutal invasion of Goguryeo, aiming for the Korean capital. His forces achieve repeated victories, but they encounter Ansi, a heavily fortified stronghold defended by General Yang Man-chu. Despite being vastly outnumbered, Yang is determined to halt the Tang advance at all costs.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.8 - 109
Extreme JobMovie · 2019 · 111m · Action, Comedy, CrimeA drug squad goes undercover to dismantle a criminal organization, taking jobs at a chicken restaurant. The restaurant unexpectedly becomes a sensation for its delicious chicken, leading the detectives into unforeseen circumstances.IMDb 7.1TMDB 7.2 - 110
Keys to the HeartMovie · 2018 · 120m · Drama, ComedyA former boxer, now past his prime, and his younger brother, a gifted pianist living with a physical disability, navigate their relationship through their mother's vivid recollections of her life.IMDb 7.4TMDB 8.1 - 111
TunnelMovie · 2016 · 126m · Thriller, DramaWhile driving home, a man's tunnel unexpectedly collapses, trapping him. He must confront the unforeseen circumstances as rescue services work to reach him.IMDb 6.8TMDB 7.3 - 112
OkjaMovie · 2017 · 120m · Adventure, Drama, Science FictionMija takes a dangerous stand to stop a powerful global corporation from taking her close friend, Okja – a huge animal.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.3 - 113
Anarchist from ColonyMovie · 2017 · 129mThis film tells the story of Park Yeol, a Korean anarchist, and his fight against government violence following the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. It centers on his leadership of the anti-Japanese group Bulryeongsa and his connection with Fumiko Kaneko, a Japanese woman who is also involved in the movement.IMDb 6.6TMDB 7.4 - 114
Circle of AtonementMovie · 2015 · 102mA police officer uncovers a secret romance between his teenage daughter and her teacher, reopening a decade-old murder investigation he previously worked on.IMDb 5.7TMDB 5.8 - 115
Deja VuMovie · 2018 · 87mAfter a car accident involving her fiancé, Woojin, Jimin is haunted by terrifying visions of the deceased girl. Overwhelmed by the hallucinations, she confesses the truth to the police, only to discover the accident never happened.IMDb 4.3TMDB 5.2 - 116
Illang: The Wolf BrigadeMovie · 2018 · 138m · Science Fiction, Action, ThrillerIn 2029, a specialized police unit battles a terrorist organization seeking to prevent a national reunification, all while facing a hidden threat.IMDb 6.0TMDB 6.3 - 117
Mr. PerfectMovie · 2014 · 109mSe-jin was a renowned professional golfer. After a tragic car accident caused by a drunk driver – the accident also left him with a lost voice and the death of a colleague – he retreats to a secluded island for rest. His arrival initiates a transformative series of encounters that impact both Se-jin and the island's inhabitants.IMDb 6.6TMDB 4.0 - 118
0.0MHzMovie · 2019 · 102mA group of paranormal investigators from the club 0.0MHz enter a reportedly haunted house. Their goal is to test their theory about frequencies that attract ghosts and gather evidence of the supernatural.IMDb 4.9TMDB 5.2 - 119
Miss & Mrs. CopsMovie · 2019 · 107m · Action, Comedy, CrimeMi-young, a former top detective now working in administrative services while balancing motherhood, finds her quiet life disrupted when a bright but inexperienced colleague, Ji-hye, joins her team. Together, the two women become embroiled in a high-stakes criminal investigation that unfolds with unexpected humor and action.IMDb 6.2TMDB 7.0 - 120
Inseparable BrosMovie · 2019 · 114m · Comedy, DramaSe-ha, who has a physical disability, and Dong-gu, who has a mental disability, are not biological brothers but have lived together for 20 years and become deeply reliant on each other. Their lives are upended when Dong-gu's mother unexpectedly arrives and becomes his guardian.IMDb 7.2TMDB 8.2 - 121
What a Man WantsMovie · 2018 · 100mOn the island of Jeju, Seok-Geun is a middle-aged taxi driver married to Dam-Deok. Despite his infidelity, he deeply loves his wife.IMDb 6.2TMDB 6.7 - 122
PandoraMovie · 2016 · 136m · Thriller, Drama, ActionA man races against time to prevent a national catastrophe after an earthquake strikes a Korean village near a decaying nuclear power plant.IMDb 6.7TMDB 7.5 - 123
The Dude in MeMovie · 2019 · 122m · Fantasy, Comedy, ActionDong-hyun, a high school student, falls from a rooftop and meets Pan-soo, a stranger passing by. Unbeknownst to Dong-hyun, Pan-soo is involved with a criminal organization. After waking up in the hospital, both men are shocked to find they have switched bodies.IMDb 6.9TMDB 7.8 - 124
V.I.P.Movie · 2017 · 128m · Crime, Thriller, ActionThe son of a powerful North Korean official embarks on a global killing spree. The film follows the escalating pursuit of the man as South Korea, North Korea, and Interpol join forces to track him down.IMDb 6.6TMDB 7.7 - 125
The Con ArtistsMovie · 2014 · 116m · Action, Crime, DramaA skilled safecracker is compelled to assist a powerful mob boss in planning a $150 million robbery, but suspects a betrayal is being plotted.IMDb 6.5TMDB 7.0 - 126
Door LockMovie · 2018 · 102m · Thriller, Crime, MysteryKyung-min lives alone in a small apartment. She discovers signs of a break-in, and a puzzling murder case starts to emerge.IMDb 6.4TMDB 7.4 - 127
Time RenegadesMovie · 2016 · 107m · Drama, Romance, ThrillerIn 1983, a high school teacher and, thirty years later, a detective find themselves connected by shared dreams. These dreams allow them to work together to alter the tragic destiny of a woman they both care for.IMDb 6.8TMDB 7.1 - 128
PsychokinesisMovie · 2018 · 101m · Fantasy, ActionA regular guy unexpectedly develops superpowers, allowing him to assist his lively daughter and those around him. However, using these abilities also leads him into unforeseen difficulties.IMDb 6.0TMDB 6.3 - 129
MissingMovie · 2016 · 100m · Drama, Mystery, ThrillerA single mother, working hard to make ends meet, returns home to discover her daughter and nanny are missing. This is the start of a terrifying ordeal for her.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.9 - 130
Enemies In-LawMovie · 2015 · 119mChul-soo comes from a family of renowned thieves. He falls for Young-hee, who is a police officer from a family with a strong law enforcement background. Hoping to gain her parents' approval, Chul-soo takes the police officer exam. However, both families actively try to stop their relationship.IMDb 5.9TMDB 6.2 - 131
Along with the Gods: The Last 49 DaysMovie · 2018 · 141m · Action, Adventure, FantasyJa-hong, a spirit who has died, and his three protectors are nearing the end of their journey before being reborn. But as they face their final challenges, the protectors confront the painful reality of their past lives on Earth, a thousand years ago.IMDb 7.1TMDB 8.0 - 132
SocialphobiaMovie · 2015 · 100mAfter posting controversial comments online, a woman becomes the target of online harassment. Her attackers use her personal information to find her home, only to discover she has died by suicide. The film explores the mystery of her death: was it self-inflicted, or was someone else responsible?IMDb 6.4TMDB 7.5 - 133
Han Gong-juMovie · 2014 · 112m · DramaFollowing a traumatic event, 17-year-old Gong-ju has to transfer schools. With her parents uninvolved, her former teacher arranges for her to stay with his mother. Her past eventually returns, bringing a shocking and devastating truth.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.2 - 134
Phantom DetectiveMovie · 2016 · 125m · Action, DramaHong Gil-dong is a highly skilled private investigator known for his perfect recall and unusual habits. While pursuing his last elusive client, he becomes involved in a far-reaching plot.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.9 - 135
Mood of the DayMovie · 2016 · 103m · Romance, ComedyOn a train journey from Seoul to Busan, a serious woman named Bae, who has been in a ten-year relationship, meets Kim, a charming and carefree man. Their unexpected encounter sparks an unforgettable adventure that changes Bae's perspective on life. They are traveling together for a business trip.IMDb 6.7TMDB 7.2 - 136
One Way TripMovie · 2016 · 93mWhile on vacation, four friends intervene when they see a woman being assaulted by a man. Afterward, they find themselves fleeing from the police. A subsequent car crash leaves one of the friends unconscious, and the remaining three are arrested on suspicion of murder.IMDb 6.4TMDB 6.6 - 137
Confidential AssignmentMovie · 2017 · 125m · Action, DramaA criminal group from North Korea enters South Korea, prompting a South Korean detective to team up with a North Korean detective to track them down.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.9 - 138
The Princess and the MatchmakerMovie · 2018 · 110m · Comedy, Romance, HistoryPrincess Songhwa defies tradition by choosing her own husband. To guide her decision, she enlists a man to assess her compatibility with four potential suitors.IMDb 6.3TMDB 7.1 - 139
My Brilliant LifeMovie · 2014 · 117m · DramaA young couple's son has progeria, a rare condition causing him to age rapidly. Sixteen years later, the boy has the body of an eighty-year-old and is writing a book about his parents' love story in his final days.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.4 - 140
WretchesMovie · 2018 · 102mJae-young, a high school student frequently bullied by the school's tough guy, Yong-gyu, sees an opportunity when Yong-gyu is hospitalized. Hoon, eager to climb the social ladder, aims to replace him as the school's leader. Jae-young hopes Yong-gyu's absence will bring an end to the constant violence he endures, but instead finds himself facing even more relentless torment and harassment from the ever-present Hoon.IMDb 5.8TMDB 5.2 - 141
The Royal TailorMovie · 2014 · 127mYoung tailor Lee Gong-jin finds himself drawn to the Queen while crafting her gown, and they develop feelings for one another. This success, however, makes him the target of Jo Dol-seok, the royal tailor, who seeks revenge.IMDb 7.1TMDB 7.2 - 142
Golden SlumberMovie · 2018 · 108m · Action, ThrillerA delivery driver is forced to go on the run after being wrongly accused of murdering a prominent politician, and incriminating evidence starts to pile up against him.IMDb 5.9TMDB 6.8 - 143
UnstoppableMovie · 2018 · 115m · Crime, Action, ThrillerDong-chul and Ji-soo are a happy couple. One day, Dong-chul returns home to discover his house has been ransacked and his wife is gone.IMDb 6.6TMDB 7.4 - 144
On Your Wedding DayMovie · 2018 · 110m · Romance, DramaA man and the woman he loves keep getting pulled apart by fate. Throughout their lives, they experience repeated separations caused by circumstances beyond their control.IMDb 7.1TMDB 7.5 - 145
The OutlawsMovie · 2017 · 121m · Action, Crime, ThrillerIn Chinatown, the established order is shattered by the arrival of three ruthless Chinese gangsters who begin terrorizing residents and seizing control. The local gangsters, overwhelmed, are forced to collaborate with a dedicated police force led by the unconventional and determined Ma Seok-do to restore balance. Based on a true story.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.7 - 146
A Melody to RememberMovie · 2016 · 124mDuring the Korean War in the early 1950s, Second Lieutenant Han Sang-yeol commands his platoon while grappling with his own emotional wounds. He finds himself profoundly affected by a group of children from a choir who have lost their families and homes in the conflict, and he resolves to shield them from further harm.IMDb 7.2TMDB 8.3 - 147
Little ForestMovie · 2018 · 103m · DramaA young woman leaves the city for her rural hometown. She seeks a life away from the city's intensity, striving for self-sufficiency as she reconnects with the natural world.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.6 - 148
The SwindlersMovie · 2017 · 117m · Crime, Action, ThrillerA team of con artists joins forces to track down a notorious swindler believed to be dead, each harboring their own secrets and schemes.IMDb 6.6TMDB 6.7 - 149
A Violent ProsecutorMovie · 2016 · 126m · Crime, Comedy, ActionA lawyer is wrongly convicted of murder. From prison, he teams up with a con artist to find the actual killer.IMDb 6.7TMDB 7.0 - 150
Like for LikesMovie · 2016 · 120mA demanding TV drama writer and a Korean star who constantly clash; a reserved landlady and a curious chef tenant who develop a bond; a brilliant but inexperienced composer secretly admires a disorganized producer. Their lives become intertwined, raising the question: will romance blossom?IMDb 6.4TMDB 7.3 - 151
TwentyMovie · 2015 · 115m · Comedy, DramaThree friends celebrate their twentieth birthdays, a milestone promising freedom and new possibilities. At this age, they feel empowered to pursue any path they desire, explore their romantic interests, and consider opportunities to live and work internationally.IMDb 6.8TMDB 7.2 - 152
ConfessionMovie · 2014 · 114m · Drama, Crime, ThrillerChildhood friends Hyun-tae, In-chul, and Min-soo have a strong bond. That bond is shattered when Hyun-tae's mother asks In-chul to commit insurance fraud by damaging her arcade.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.7 - 153
I Can SpeakMovie · 2017 · 119m · Drama, ComedyA curmudgeonly elderly woman forms an unlikely friendship with a young government worker, who helps her learn English. As they bond, she shares a surprising story from her history.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.9
