It already feels a world ago, but Parasite recently won the Best Film award at the Oscars. As a result, Korean (by which I mean South Korean) cinema is drawing a lot of interest from viewers. Here’s a list, ranked, of what I consider the Best of Korean cinema. I have a bias towards crime and thriller films, and this list probably reflects that. Of course, I haven’t watched all of their films, and a list is by definition subjective, so if any of your favourites aren’t here, please send me some recommendations in the comments section. Let’s start.
10. Joint Security Area (2000) (Rotten Tomatoes 77%, IMDb 7.8)
The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and the division of the Korean Peninsula is, understandably, a big issue in the two countries. This gem from Park Chan-Wook (he features a lot on this list) is about soldiers from both sides of the DMZ, and features star turns from Lee Byeung-Hyun (G. I. Joe, Red, The Magnificent Seven) and Song Kang-Ho (Parasite).
Trailer:
9. Parasite (2019) (Rotten Tomatoes 99%, IMDb 8.6)
Featured image is the poster. 🙂
You do know of this film, don’t you? Well…this is a searing critique of the class divide in modern societies. But, as is the trademark of director Bong Joon-Ho, it is a story told with a lot of humour.
Trailer:
8. Burning (2018) (Rotten Tomatoes 95%, IMDb 7.6)
Based on renowned Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami’s short story “Barn Burning,” this is a dreamy story of love and jealousy that keeps you guessing till the end.
Trailer:
7. The Handmaiden (2016) (Rotten Tomatoes 95%, IMDb 8.1)
Park Chan-Wook adapted the Welsh writer Sarah Waters’ novel Fingersmith into an erotic, thrilling film about a pickpocket, a con-man and an heiress. Stunning.
Trailer:
6. Memories Of Murder (2003) (Rotten Tomatoes 90%, IMDb 8.1)
One of the first Korean films I watched. Made by Parasite’s Bong Joon-Ho, this film is about South Korea’s first serial killer case in the 1980s, in a village with bumbling cops. Song Kang-Ho stars again.
Trailer:
5. A Bittersweet Life (2005) (Rotten Tomatoes 100%, IMDb 7.6)
Bollywood fans would know this as Aawarapan, the 2007 Emraan Hashmi film from the Mahesh Bhatt stable. While A Bittersweet Life doesn’t have that film’s musical quality, it does have the original plot and vision, and Lee Byeung-Hyun’s star turn as the conflicted gangster fighting his own boss is as perfect as any.
Trailer:
4. The Wailing (2016) (Rotten Tomatoes 99%, IMDb 7.4)
A small village starts having weird deaths, and the suspect is a stranger, an old Japanese man. I love Na Hong-jin’s work. This is the first of three of his films that find consecutive space here.
You like horror? You like a well-made whodunnit? You’ll love this.
Trailer:
3. The Chaser (2008) (Rotten Tomatoes 82%, IMDb 7.9)
Another Korean gem ripped by the Bhatts of Bollywood. 2011’s Murder 2, also starring Emraan Hashmi, was plagiarised from this. Kim Yeon-seok stars in the Hashmi role, and Ha Jung-woo stars as the serial killer gruesomely offing Kim’s prostitutes. Also has probably the best foot chase in cinema.
Trailer:
2. The Yellow Sea (2010) (Rotten Tomatoes 88%, IMDb 7.3)
The Yellow Sea is a body of water dividing China and Korea. A taxi driver from the Chinese Yanji city, with a large Korean population, travel to Seoul to carry out a hit job. Things go predictably awry. One of the most realistic and gory action films, I guess. Picture a chunk of bone used to bash a skull. Yeah, that level. But gore aside, this is a fantastic film about the futility of violence. Kim Yeon-seok and Ha Jung-woo star again.
Trailer:
1. Oldboy (2003) (Rotten Tomatoes 82%, IMDb 8.4)
The first Korean film I watched, from what I recall. Park Chan-Wook’s (that man again!) film about ultra-cold-served revenge has more twists than a jumbled Rubik’s cube, and sequences that are entirely incredible to behold. Picture the hallway fight sequence, or the octopus scene in the restaurant. It stayed with me for days after the watch. I just couldn’t shake it off. A hypnotic story and stellar acting from Choi Min-sik, Kang Hye-jung and Yoo Ji-tae.
Also ripped by Bollywood as Zinda in 2006 starring Sanjay Dutt and John Abraham. Spike Lee remade it eponymously in Hollywood in 2013 with Thanos Josh Brolin in the lead. Even if you’ve watched the crap that Zinda was, do yourself a favour and watch this.
Trailer:
Honourable Mentions:
11. The Host (2006) (Rotten Tomatoes 93%, IMDb 7.1)
Monster movie from Bong Joon-Ho, starring Song Kang-Ho.
Trailer:
12. New World (2013) (Rotten Tomatoes 63%, IMDb 7.6)
Gangsters, an undercover agent, war of succession, betrayals.
Trailer:
13. A Taxi Driver (2017) (Rotten Tomatoes 96%, IMDb 7.8)
Based on the real-life story of a taxi driver who helped German journalist share the story of the repression of the pro-democracy protests in 1987. Song Kang-Ho is the driver here.
Trailer:
14. Train To Busan (2018) (Rotten Tomatoes 94%, IMDb 7.5)
Why should zombies always be in America? Korean cinema’s highest-grosser of 2018 is Asia’s own World War Z, so to say. A sequel arrives later this year.
Trailer:
15. Montage (2013) (Rotten Tomatoes, IMDb 7.4)
Another film that was ripped by Bollywood (the Amitabh-Nawazuddin-Vidya Balan starrer Teen). A woman’s daughter vanishes. Before the 15-year statute of limitations expires, a similar crime rocks the police.
Trailer:
This post is published as part of the Blogchatter A2Z.
What are your favourite films from Korea? Tell me in the comments section.
P. S. – For those looking for more recommendations, here’s a fantastic article on the history of Korean cinema, with some great titles thrown in.
Thank you for reading.
I’ve really come to appreciate Korean films over the last year… so many left me thinking about how they use their minimal budget to maximum effect and how well they flesh out their characters.
I’ve seen most in this list and loved them… surprisingly, havent seen two of the most popular ones – Train to Busan and Host yet.
Additions –
The Man From Nowhere – action, mystery
Confession of Murder – serial killer, mystery
No Mercy – murder mystery
Cold Eyes – cops vs robbers
The Gangster, the Cop and the Devil – cops vs mafia
LikeLiked by 2 people
I agree with your points. Parasite won the Best Film award, but I’d dare say it isn’t even the best Korean film ever.
I’ve watched all but one of the films you mentioned. Gotta check out Cold Eyes. Btw, even The Man From Nowhere was copied by Bollywood – Rocky Handsome. 😉
LikeLike
I have seen parasite, burning, and chaser. All were very very moving and I liked their direction. Thank you for sharing the other Korean classics sure will try and watch, as they seem to have great stories and characters.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, they’re all quite good. Happy you liked the list. 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you for shariNg this list. To be honest I’m not a movie buff and I have only watched Parasite. But I will look out for your recommendations.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cheers. Try the trailers. You’d probably be able to decide much faster. Happy watching. 🙂
LikeLike
A very solid list. I haven’t watched Parasite, The Handmaiden and Burning yet. I’d like to suggest a couple more movies – A Tale of Two Sisters, Musa, ‘Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter…and Spring.’
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve heard the last one’s name. Thank you for the suggestions. And I can assure you that you wouldn’t regret watching any of the three you’re yet to.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Next time i want to watch a Korean film, i know what to choose.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cheers. Glad I could help. 🙂
LikeLike
I have recently been introduced to Korean drama and I’m really having a great time. Talking of Korean movies, I’ve already see “Train to Busan.”
I intend to check out some of your suggestions too. Happy A2Zing 🙂
— rightpurchasing.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am guessing you enjoyed Train To Busan. Happy watching for the next many movies and shows. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes I did. I’m thinking about Oldboy now.
Hopefully tomorrow or maybe this weekend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brilliant.
I tried opening your blog rightpurchasing.com on my browser. It said there’s a security error and the security certificate is not verified etc.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh
Can you share a screenshot?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh sorry, my mistake. I was opening the WordPress site and trying to change from the address bar there. Now opened. See you there. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh. No problem.
I was scared for a bit 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Everyone around me had been talking of Korean movies, series, and music for about two years now…and I don’t have a clue but now I get a sense of it. Did begin to watch Parasite but couldn’t get past the pizza box payment scene! Let me see if I can find something from here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I empathize with you. I felt this a long time back with Korean romcoms and tv shows. Never got into them. Then I learnt of Oldboy. The rest, as they say, is in this post. 😀
That pizza box scene is hilarious. But I can see how you might have been left unsure at that point.
Hope this list helps you find some good ones. 🙂
Thanks.
LikeLike
I have watched many series. But these i haven’t.. the much hyped parasite too (Nope) but this look to watch since you have shared!
LikeLike
Happy bingeing!
LikeLike
Hi,
Just started my blog about films, and was looking for inspiration, found your blog now…. They are so informative and engaging…. I’ve also written a small bit on Oldboy only, please check it out and let me know how’s it 😃✌🏻
https://heretodreamandachieve.wordpress.com/2020/05/11/oldboy-not-any-other-revenge-flick/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for visiting.
LikeLiked by 1 person