I've watched hundreds of Korean movies.
The best ones blend thrills, comedy, and tragedy into highly original stories.
Here's a list of 12 Korean masterpieces that you must watch:
The best ones blend thrills, comedy, and tragedy into highly original stories.
Here's a list of 12 Korean masterpieces that you must watch:
1/ Parasite
Greed and class discrimination threaten the relationship between the wealthy Park family and the destitute Kim clan.
The first foreign language film to win Oscars Best Picture - I've seen it 3x just to watch people's reactions to the twists.
Greed and class discrimination threaten the relationship between the wealthy Park family and the destitute Kim clan.
The first foreign language film to win Oscars Best Picture - I've seen it 3x just to watch people's reactions to the twists.
2/ Memories of Murder
Two detectives struggle with the case of young women being found murdered by an unknown culprit.
From the same director as Parasite. Every frame drips with atmosphere, from the rain falling on the rooftops to shadows lurking in the grass.
Two detectives struggle with the case of young women being found murdered by an unknown culprit.
From the same director as Parasite. Every frame drips with atmosphere, from the rain falling on the rooftops to shadows lurking in the grass.
3/ Mother
A mother who desperately searches for the killer who she thinks framed her son of murder.
The mom is an incredible actress and the film is funny and heartbreaking at the same time.
A mother who desperately searches for the killer who she thinks framed her son of murder.
The mom is an incredible actress and the film is funny and heartbreaking at the same time.
4/ Burning
A young deliveryman runs into his childhood friend before meeting another suspicious young man.
An incredible slow burn that also stars Steven Yuen.
A young deliveryman runs into his childhood friend before meeting another suspicious young man.
An incredible slow burn that also stars Steven Yuen.
5/ The Handmaiden
A woman is hired as a handmaiden to a Japanese heiress, but secretly she is involved in a plot to defraud her.
An erotic period thriller - each frame in this movie is like a painting.
A woman is hired as a handmaiden to a Japanese heiress, but secretly she is involved in a plot to defraud her.
An erotic period thriller - each frame in this movie is like a painting.
6/ 1987: When the Day Comes
The unlawful interrogation and death of a student in 1987 Korea ignites citizens to fight for the truth and bring about justice.
A touching historical movie about the fight for democracy. Another great film that's similar is "A Taxi Driver."
The unlawful interrogation and death of a student in 1987 Korea ignites citizens to fight for the truth and bring about justice.
A touching historical movie about the fight for democracy. Another great film that's similar is "A Taxi Driver."
7/ New World
An undercover cop finds it difficult to play both a cop and a goon.
A Korean mobster movie on the same level as The Departed and Infernal Affairs.
An undercover cop finds it difficult to play both a cop and a goon.
A Korean mobster movie on the same level as The Departed and Infernal Affairs.
8/ A Hard Day
After trying to cover up a car accident, a crooked detective is stalked by a mysterious man.
A thriller that's incredibly suspenseful but also comedic - reminds me of Hitchcock.
After trying to cover up a car accident, a crooked detective is stalked by a mysterious man.
A thriller that's incredibly suspenseful but also comedic - reminds me of Hitchcock.
9/ War of the Arrows
A skilled Korean archer goes up against the mighty force of Manchus to rescue his kidnapped sister.
Think Mad Max: Fury Road with arrows - one very long chase.
A skilled Korean archer goes up against the mighty force of Manchus to rescue his kidnapped sister.
Think Mad Max: Fury Road with arrows - one very long chase.
10/ The Man from Nowhere
A pawnshop keeper with a violent past takes on a trafficking ring to save a child.
The Korean version of Taken. Watch if you like seeing the bad guys get their dues.
A pawnshop keeper with a violent past takes on a trafficking ring to save a child.
The Korean version of Taken. Watch if you like seeing the bad guys get their dues.
11/ The Wailing
A mysterious sickness starts to spread soon after a stranger arrives in a little village.
Another slow burn - starts almost like a comedy before transitioning to horror.
A mysterious sickness starts to spread soon after a stranger arrives in a little village.
Another slow burn - starts almost like a comedy before transitioning to horror.
12/ Train to Busan
While a zombie virus breaks out in South Korea, passengers struggle to survive on the train from Seoul to Busan.
I'm sure you've heard of this one. Probably the best zombie movie in recent memory?
While a zombie virus breaks out in South Korea, passengers struggle to survive on the train from Seoul to Busan.
I'm sure you've heard of this one. Probably the best zombie movie in recent memory?
13/ A few more classics if you don't mind a little (ok alot of) violence:
1. Oldboy
2. Chaser
3. I Saw the Devil
1. Oldboy
2. Chaser
3. I Saw the Devil
14/ Let me know in the replies if I missed a great Korean movie!
Follow me at @petergyang for more film recommendations and RT below to share the list:
Follow me at @petergyang for more film recommendations and RT below to share the list:
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