Discover the Best South Korean Movies: 50 Must-Watch Films Across Genres

Key Takeaways

South Korean cinema is a treasure trove of genres and storytelling techniques, from thrilling mysteries and heartfelt dramas to intense horrors and charming romances. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or new to K-cinema, this list of 50 films covers a diverse range of genres, each offering a unique and captivating viewing experience.

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Action and Thriller

1. Deranged (2012)

Synopsis: A parasite epidemic causes people to go insane over water, turning their lives into a chaotic fight for survival.
Rating: 6.3

2. The Closet (2020)

Synopsis: After his daughter goes missing, a man discovers that the key to finding her may lie within a haunted closet.
Rating: 5.7

3. Jo Pil-ho: The Dawning Rage (2019)

Synopsis: A corrupt cop seeks redemption by teaming up with a teenage girl to expose a major corporate scandal.
Rating: 6.4

4. A Violent Prosecutor (2016)

Synopsis: A prosecutor wrongfully imprisoned for murder uses a con artist’s help to uncover the truth and catch the real killer.
Rating: 6.7

5. War of the Arrows (2011)

Synopsis: A master archer embarks on a dangerous quest to rescue his kidnapped sister during the Manchu invasions.
Rating: 7.1

6. Running Man: Revengers (2023)

Synopsis: Competitors race through challenges for the ultimate prize, the legendary ‘Super Belt,’ which grants its wearer supreme power.
Rating: 7.6

7. PMC: Deo beong-keo (2018)

Synopsis: A team of soldiers infiltrates a secret bunker in the Korean DMZ to take out a dangerous target.
Rating: 5.4

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Drama and Romance

8. My Annoying Brother (2016)

Synopsis: A blind athlete must rely on his estranged brother, who may have ulterior motives for helping him.
Rating: 7.3

9. Crazy Romance (2019)

Synopsis: A heartwarming love story between two individuals who are struggling with their past relationships.
Rating: 6.2

10. Christmas in August (1998)

Synopsis: A terminally ill man forms a poignant connection with a young woman, leading to a touching, bittersweet love story.
Rating: 7.5

11. My Brilliant Life (2014)

Synopsis: A young couple faces the challenges of raising a child with progeria, finding comfort in telling their love story.
Rating: 7.2

12. Long Distance (2023)

Synopsis: Two amateur indie musicians navigate the trials of a long-distance relationship in the digital age.
Rating: 8.2

13. Miss & Mrs. Cops (2019)

Synopsis: Two police officers, who are also sisters-in-law, team up to fight against a disturbing case of ‘spy cam porn.’
Rating: 6.2

14. Young Adult Matters (2020)

Synopsis: A coming-of-age story following teenagers as they explore and understand the world around them.
Rating: 5.9

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Mystery and Horror

15. Into the Mirror (2003)

Synopsis: A security guard investigates mysterious deaths linked to a cursed shopping mall mirror.
Rating: 6.4

16. The Piper (2015)

Synopsis: After the Korean War, a father and son stumble upon a remote village plagued by sinister occurrences.
Rating: 6.4

17. Urban Myths (2022)

Synopsis: Explores the dark side of everyday life with tales of horrors tied to common urban phenomena.
Rating: 4.9

18. The Story of Ong-nyeo (2014)

Synopsis: A woman with a manipulative past faces a new challenge when a severe injury forces her into isolation.
Rating: 5.6

19. Island of Desire (2017)

Synopsis: Stranded on a deserted island, a group of people confront their primal instincts and a deadly secret.
Rating: 6.0

20. Voyeurism (2016)

Synopsis: A paparazzi’s obsession with a sex therapist leads to an illicit affair with perilous consequences.
Rating: 6.8

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Comedy and Satire

21. Sex Plate 17 (2017)

Synopsis: A comedic exploration of unconventional romantic encounters and misunderstandings.
Rating: 7.7

22. Sex Is Zero 2 (2007)

Synopsis: Follows the misadventures of a young man struggling to take his relationship to the next level.
Rating: 6.0

23. What a Man Wants (2018)

Synopsis: A charming but flawed cab driver leaves a lasting impression on his brother-in-law.
Rating: 6.2

24. Honey Sweet (2023)

Synopsis: A successful sweets developer meets a vibrant and optimistic woman, leading to unexpected changes in his life.
Rating: 6.4

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Action-Comedy and Romance

25. Collectors (2020)

Synopsis: A thrilling search for ancient royal treasure unfolds in modern-day Seoul.
Rating: 6.3

26. Sunny (2011)

Synopsis: A group of high school friends reunite after 25 years at the request of a dying friend.
Rating: 7.8

27. The Last Godfather (2010)

Synopsis: A Mafia boss prepares his mentally impaired son to be his successor.
Rating: 3.5

28. Final Recipe (2013)

Synopsis: A young chef enters a prestigious cooking contest to save his family’s restaurant and fulfill his grandfather’s dream.
Rating: 6.7

29. Crazy Romance (2019)

Synopsis: Explores the romance between two individuals scarred by their past relationships.
Rating: 6.2

30. My Little Baby, Jaya (2017)

Synopsis: A father with cerebral palsy seeks revenge on those who bully his daughter.
Rating: 6.1

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Historical and Period Pieces

31. 71: Into the Fire (2010)

Synopsis: Student soldiers defend a middle school during the early days of the Korean War.
Rating: 7.2

32. Gangnam Blues (2015)

Synopsis: Set in the 1970s, two friends become embroiled in the political and criminal struggles over the development of Gangnam.
Rating: 6.2

33. Bam gua nat (2008)

Synopsis: A painter travels to Paris to escape legal troubles, meeting an ex-girlfriend and exploring the local art scene.
Rating: 7.1

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Animation

34. Leafie, a Hen Into the Wild (2011)

Synopsis: A hen escapes a harsh life to become the guardian of a duckling, finding new meaning in life.
Rating: 7.0

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Documentary and Drama

35. Microhabitat (2017)

Synopsis: A woman’s quest for dignity in a city through her love of whiskey and cigarettes.
Rating: 7.4

36. Children… (2011)

Synopsis: Based on the real-life disappearance of five children who went missing while catching frogs in the 1990s.
Rating: 7.1

37. Breathless (2008)

Synopsis: A loan shark forms an unexpected friendship with a troubled schoolgirl amidst his own family struggles.
Rating: 7.5

38. The Story of Ong-nyeo (2014)

Synopsis: A woman who once manipulated everyone around her must now deal with a new reality after a severe injury.
Rating: 5.6

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Additional Notable Films

39. Seoulmeyt (2024)

Synopsis: A Filipina K-drama fan discovers startling truths about her dream man’s real identity.
Rating: 1.5

40. Walk Up (2022)

Synopsis: A film director and his daughter tour a friend’s building, revealing insights into the design world.
Rating: 6.7

41. The Closet (2020)

Synopsis: A man hunts for his missing daughter in their new home, guided by a mysterious stranger’s advice.
Rating: 5.7

42. Young Sister-In-Law 5 (2019)

Synopsis: A misunderstanding leads to humorous complications when a man mistakes a naked woman for his senior’s wife.
Rating: 4.3

43. Sex Is Zero (2007)

Synopsis: The comedic struggles of a university student trying to advance his relationship with his girlfriend.
Rating: 6.0

44. Missing You (2016)

Synopsis: A young girl, orphaned by a serial killer, awaits the release of the killer from prison

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Rating: 6.0

45. Train to Busan (2016)

Synopsis: Survivors of a zombie outbreak on a high-speed train must fight for their lives.
Rating: 7.6

46. Thirst (2009)

Synopsis: A priest becomes a vampire and struggles with his faith and desires.
Rating: 7.0

47. I Saw the Devil (2010)

Synopsis: A secret agent hunts down the serial killer who murdered his fiancée.
Rating: 7.8

48. The Handmaiden (2016)

Synopsis: A con artist attempts to seduce an heiress, leading to intricate schemes and hidden motives.
Rating: 8.0

49. Parasite (2019)

Synopsis: A poor family schemes to infiltrate a wealthy household, leading to unexpected and dramatic consequences.
Rating: 8.6

50. Oldboy (2003)

Synopsis: A man is imprisoned for 15 years without knowing why and seeks revenge upon his release.
Rating: 8.6

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Explore the richness of South Korean cinema with these top 50 films, offering a diverse range of stories that span genres and eras. From heartwarming dramas to spine-chilling horrors, South Korean movies have something to captivate every viewer.