Must-Watch Films for Fans of South Korean Cinema
South Korean cinema has garnered significant attention and acclaim worldwide in recent years. Known for its intricate plots, blending of drama and comedy, bold exploration of social and political issues, and emotional depth, South Korean films captivate audiences. In this content, we've curated a list of 10 beloved films from South Korean cinema that every fan should watch. Explore the rich tapestry of storytelling and cinematic excellence that South Korean films have to offer!
Parasite (2019) IMDb: 8.5
The film portrays the threat to a newly formed symbiotic relationship between the wealthy Park family and the poor Kim family by greed and class discrimination.
Director: Bong Joon Ho
Cast: Song Kang-ho, Lee Sun-kyun, Cho Yeo-jeong
Oldboy (2003) IMDb: 8.3
After being kidnapped and imprisoned for fifteen years, Oh Dae-Su is released, only to learn that he must find the person who kidnapped him within five days.
Director: Park Chan-wook
Cast: Choi Min-sik, Yoo Ji-tae, Kang Hye-jeong
Past Lives (2023) IMDb: 7.8
Deeply connected childhood friends Nora and Hae Sung are separated after Nora's family migrates from South Korea. When they reunite twenty years later, they confront love and fate.
Director: Celine Song
Cast: Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, John Magaro
The Wailing (2016) IMDb: 7.4
Soon after a stranger arrives in a small village, a mysterious illness begins to spread. A police officer drawn into the incident must solve the mystery to save his daughter.
Director: Na Hong-jin
Cast: Jun Kunimura, Hwang Jung-min, Kwak Do-won
Memories of Murder (2003) IMDb: 8.1
In 1986, two detectives in a small province of Korea struggle with a case where multiple young women were raped and murdered by an unknown assailant.
Director: Bong Joon Ho
Cast: Song Kang-ho, Kim Sang-kyung, Kim Roe-ha
Forgotten (2017) IMDb: 7.4
When Jin-seok's kidnapped brother returns with no memories of the past 19 days, he sets out to uncover the truth behind the kidnapping.
Director: Jang Hang-jun
Cast: Kang Ha-neul, Yeon Je Hyung, Kim Mu-yeol
Burning (2018) IMDb: 7.5
Jong-su meets a girl he used to live in the same neighborhood with, and she asks him to take care of her cat while she's on a trip to Africa. When she returns, she introduces him to the mysterious Ben, who confesses his secret hobby.
Director: Lee Chang-dong
Cast: Yoo Ah-in, Steven Yeun, Jeon Jong-seo
Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018) IMDb: 6.4
A horror show crew goes to an abandoned mental hospital for a live broadcast. As they move deeper into the eerie old building, they encounter much more than they bargained for.
Director: Jung Bum-shik
Cast: Oh Ah-yeon, Wi Ha-joon, Yoo Je-Yoon
The Roundup: Punishment (2024) IMDb: 6.9
Detective Ma Seok-do joins a cyber investigation team to catch Baek Chang-ki, a former mercenary and the head of an online gambling organization.
Director: Heo Myeong-haeng
Cast: Lee Beom-su, Derek Chouinard, Lee Dong-hwi
Han Gong-ju (2013) IMDb: 7.2
Han Gong-Ju transfers to a new school to escape her past. It takes a long time for her troubled past to catch up with her, but when it does, the truth that emerges is devastating.
Director: Lee Su-jin
Cast: Chun Woo-hee, Jung In-sun, Kim So-young
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