South Korean cinema has risen to global recognition with the talents of remarkable directors and performers. Uncover gems in cinematic history with some of the best Korean movies of all time.
With the Korean Wave that has been slowly taking on the world, interest in South Korean fashion, travel, and food has reached an all-time high. Arguably one of the biggest successes of the Hallyu cultural phenomenon has been the rise of South Korean cinema. With revered directors like Bong Joon-ho and Park Chan-wook, the influence of Korean cinema has now seeped into Hollywood – most visibly with Parasite’s win of the Best Picture Oscar in 2020. Conquering multiple genres from horror to comedy to action, our favourite and the best Korean movies of all time deserve a spot on your to-watch list.
Watch these next: Best Korean movies of all time
1. Burning (2018)
An exhilarating adaptation of Haruki Murakami’s short story Barn Burning (1992), the psychological thriller Burning is considered to be one of the best Korean movies of all time. Lee Chang-dong directs the then-rising star, Yoo Ah-in, in a breakthrough role as aspiring novelist Jong-su, whose life takes a turn after running into Hae-mi, his childhood pal. While Jong-su feeds her cat, Hae-mi travels to Africa and returns with a mysterious man named Ben, played by Hollywood star Steven Yeun. The film has been praised for its enigmatic storytelling, as Ben soon reveals his twisted hobby of burning down greenhouses. Very much a film that invites the viewer to interpret key aspects for themselves, Yoo shines as a bewildered man struggling to decipher the stoic Ben, who’s never explicitly seen doing anything wrong. This slow burn of a movie topped many “Best of” lists in 2018, as well as winning Best Film and Best Director at the Asian Film Awards.
2. Memories of Murder (2003)
Bong Joon-ho – the director of Parasite – has now become synonymous with Korean cinema for good reason. His prowess is on full display in his now-classic second feature Memories of Murder, a crime thriller based on the true story of South Korea’s first serial killer. Bong’s frequent collaborator, Song Kang-ho (yep, also one of the main actors in Parasite), plays a determined local detective who’s overwhelmed by a string of murders that plunges a small town into fear. As the trained Seoul detective Tae-yoon joins the case, the two delve into the grittiness of the elusive killer’s crimes and feel the pressure as he constantly slips away. In reality, the Hwaseong Serial Murders weren’t solved until 2019, leaving this 2003 film naturally without a conclusive resolution. However, in a prime display of Bong and Song’s talents, the final scene of this film will stay with you long after the credits roll.
3. My Sassy Girl (2001)
One of the highest-grossing films of all time in South Korea, the romantic-comedy My Sassy Girl brought a new level of international recognition to Korean movies – sparking the beginning of the Korean Wave (Hallyu). Based on a true series of blog posts, the film chronicles the unconventional relationship between Gyeon-woo (played by future variety show star Cha Tae-hyun) and the unnamed girl (a breakthrough role for star Jun Ji-hyun). An instant hit, the film gained a cult following and spawned numerous international remakes and spin-offs. Capturing a perfect balance of laughs, romance, and unexpected heart, few films have since been able to spark quite as large of a phenomenon as My Sassy Girl has.
4. The Handmaiden (2016)
If asked who the definitive figure of modern Korean cinema is, those who don’t say Bong Joon-ho will certainly name Park Chan-wook. Considered one of the best filmmakers of all time, Park’s films are notable for their brutal storytelling and dark humour. The BAFTA-winning movie, The Handmaiden, is a beautifully shot film, told through a tight script adapted from the novel Fingersmith (2002) by Sarah Waters. Turning a Victorian-era setting into the more culturally relevant world of Japanese-occupied Korea, the film is told in three parts that work together to eventually reveal a full picture. When common thief, Sook-hee, is sent by a con-man to trick the heiress, Lady Hideko, into marriage, things take a turn when the two women begin to fall for each other. The chemistry between the lead characters from then-newcomer, Kim Tae-ri, and seasoned star, Kim Min-hee, anchor the twists and turns of the film. The critically acclaimed film is now considered one of the best queer Korean movies of all time.
5. The Quiet Family (1998)
Featuring some of the earliest performances from future superstars Choi Min-sik and Song Kang-ho, The Quiet Family is the gripping first feature from acclaimed director Kim Jee-woon. The black comedy horror centres on a family who owns a remote mountain lodge for hikers, where the guests always end up dying. With a terrific ensemble cast that is able to bring dark humour to disturbing situations, the film isn’t shy in breaking the rules of the genre. Later spawning a loose Japanese remake in 2001, The Quiet Family is an insightful look at not only the beginnings of three magnetic careers, but also arguably one of the first films of “New Korean Cinema” – and the transformation of South Korea’s film industry.
6. The Wailing (2016)
South Korean cinema is known for churning out some of the scariest horror movies in the world, and a prime example is Na Hong-jin’s The Wailing. The film centres on a policeman in a remote Korean village, as he investigates a series of mysterious illnesses and murders that seemingly start with the arrival of a strange Japanese man. Revolutionising classic horror tropes like demonic possession and ancient mythological rituals, the sharp script is always two steps ahead and, most importantly, brings the scares. Picking up several Best Director awards, The Wailing is excellently shot and written, modelling Korean cinema’s ability to create fresh takes on the horror genre.
7. Oldboy (2003)
The release of Oldboy in 2003 was a watershed moment in New Korean Cinema. Although debates continue on what counts as Park Chan-wook’s top film, there’s no argument that Oldboy stands as one of the best and most influential Korean movies of all time. Unafraid to depict graphic violence and delve into controversial subject matter, the film follows Dae-su, a man released from a 15-year captivity, as he begins to seek revenge against his captors. With an unflinching lead performance by Choi Min-sik, the intense single-shot hallway fight sequence has become an iconic scene in cinematic history. A cult classic whose influence reaches even beyond Korean cinema into Hollywood, Oldboy’s longevity can be attributed to the fact that Park channels the film’s brutality without sacrificing the strength of the plot. Winning the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival, this film helped bring international recognition to South Korean cinema.
8. Sunny (2011)
A touching ode to female friendship, comedy-drama Sunny became a hit for its poignant portrayal of girlhood and womanhood. Shifting between the present-day and the 1980s, the film explores the deep friendship of a group of schoolgirls and a dying friend’s wish to see the group reunited again years later. A humorous and heartwarming look at friendship as well as South Korea in the 80s for teenage girls, the film allows the talent of each member of the ensemble cast to shine. A critical and commercial success, Sunny later inspired a loose Hong Kong TV adaptation as well as several international movie remakes.
9. Silenced (2011)
Heartthrob Gong Yoo leads a heartbreaking film based on the novel The Crucible (2009) by Gong Ji-young about the true events of abuse that occurred at the Gwangju Inhwa School for the deaf. When Kang In-ho (played by Gong) begins a teaching position at a school for deaf children, he slowly uncovers the ugly truth of physical and sexual abuse within the institution. Future Squid Game director, Hwang Dong-hyuk, isn’t afraid to probe into the very real horrors inflicted on children by faculty members in Silenced. The film led to public outcries over court leniencies and even new convictions. A sober depiction of shameful events in South Korean history, Silenced received critical and commercial acclaim.
10. Parasite (2019)
No list of the best Korean movies would be complete without the behemoth that is Parasite. Bong Joon-ho’s legacy-defining film broke records as the first Korean winner of the Palme d’or at the Cannes Film Festival, and the first non-English language film to win the Best Picture Oscar. Centred on a low-class family that manages to sneakily infiltrate a wealthy home, Parasite offers a stark look at social and economic inequality in South Korea. With a strong lead role from Bong’s frequent collaborator Song Kang-ho and a breakthrough performance from Park So-dam, the stunning twists in Bong’s script are depicted masterfully. A critical and commercial success, Parasite is considered one of the best films of all time.
