Korean cinema has a long history of producing some of the world’s most original, artistic, and shocking violent films. For those who want to delve deeper into the world of Korean cinema, we have compiled a list of the top 10 best Korean movies.
Check out these 10 Best Korean Movies-
1. Poetry
IMDB- 7.8
Lee Chang-dong’s poem, released in 2010, tells the story of a grandmother Yang Mi-ja (Yoon Cheong-hee), who recently started listening to poetry after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, realizing that she entrusted her grandson with violent group sexual activities.
An attack on a student who later committed suicide. Throughout the film, Yang’s mental condition deteriorates, confronting her grandson, the victim’s mother, and the perpetrator’s parents.
The film, like most Korean films, is not for the weak-hearted and deals with topics such as violence, corruption, loss of trust in one’s family, and loss of control over one’s own mental consciousness. Nevertheless, ‘Poetry’ is a stunningly beautiful film that, through its many poetic scenes, provides the audience with peace, love, and stillness, as well as Yang Yang’s understanding of his grandson’s crimes and fleeting memories.
2. The Wailing
IMDB- 7.4
Released in 2016, Na Hong-jin`s The Wailing tells the tale of a small village that has been taken over through a mysterious epidemic of rage and violence upon the advent of a suspicious stranger. Over time, the fashion and suspicion turn to something greater sinister because the villagers start to brutally homicide one another.
The Wailing functions compelling performances from Kwak Do-gained as police detective Jong-goo and Hwang Jung-min as Il-gwang, a shaman who has been employed to shield the village who’s known after Hwang`s daughter, Hyo-jin (Kim Hwan-hee) will become inflamed with the equal condition.
What begins off evolving out as an easy tale of villagers fearing and condemning a stranger new to the city fast will become a complicated narrative revolving around demons, witches, and different nonsecular and supernatural entities. This Korean horror film is a must-look ahead for all of us who are partial to the genre.
3. Burning
IMDB- 7.5
Released in 2018, Lee Chang-dong`s Burning follows what appears to be a love triangle concerning aspiring novelist Lee Jong-su (Yoo Ah-in), his adolescence buddy Shin Hae-mi (Jeon Jong-seo), and Ben (portrayed through The Walking Dead`s Steven Yeun), however, because the plot unfolds, we recognize that that is whatever however a easy romantic feature.
Before Ham-mi is going off for a ride to Africa, she asks Jong-us to look at her cat, Boil, whilst she is gone. Upon her return, Hae-mi is joined by the mysterious, and wealthy, Ben. Once Ben well-known shows Jong-su what he loves to do in his free time, the tone of the photograph changes entirely. Without giving an excessive amount of away, the identity of the film, Burning, is proven to have multiple meanings, as we discover during the path of this quite praised piece of Korean cinema.
4. Old Boy
IMDB- 8.4
Park Chang-wook’s Old Boy (not to be confused with Spike Lee’s 2013 American remake), released in 2003, is arguably one of the most devastating films I’ve ever seen. This action-packed, traumatic and sometimes disgusting story tells the story of Oh Dae-soo (Choi Minsky), who has been imprisoned for the past 15 years for unknown reasons. While imprisoned in a hotel room, Oh spends time exercising, making plans, and pondering the life decisions that have brought him there.
Old Boy goes berserk when Oh is released from prison and tries to find the person responsible for his arrest 15 years ago. This journey takes viewers to places they never thought they could or would not want to visit when they got there.
Without revealing too much, the film’s final twist is what is still being talked about, 17 years after the film’s release. But one thing’s for sure: Old Boy delivers one of the most satisfying singles in any film from the infamous hallway fight scene.
5. The Host
IMDB- 7.1
Long before Bong Joon-ho introduced the world to Parasites, Snowpiercer, and even the underrated Okja for crime, the progressive-thinking director was busy with films like Memories of Murder (more on that later) and the 2006 monster film ‘The Guest’. ‘Monster’, which deals with many themes such as ‘Parasite’, tells the story of Park Kang-doo (Song Kang-ho of ‘Parasite’) and his family after their daughter is brutally kidnapped and eaten by a monster living in the nearby Han River.
One of the most original approaches to the monster film genre in decades, the filmmaker will garner international acclaim and serve as a springboard for bigger films later in his career.
6. The Handmaiden
IMDB- 8.1
The Handmaiden, released in 2016, is a remake of the novel “Fingersmith” by Welsh writer Sarah Waters, directed by Park Chan-wook of “Oldboy”. The action is set in colonial Korea and Japan in the 1930s. The Maid tells the story of a young Japanese woman and her Korean housekeeper, who turns out to be part of a conspiracy to defraud a wealthy employer.
Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Lady Vengeance, or Thirst will know what to expect before the film even begins. Combine this with the dark Victorian details found in the original source and you have a recipe for a sensational tale of love, murder, and other evils.
7. I Saw The Devil
IMDB- 7.8
Kim Jee-woon’s I Saw the Devil, released in 2011, asks a simple question. How far are you willing to go for revenge? That and many other questions will be answered in this critically acclaimed crime thriller. The film is set in the era of a man from hell, Kim Soo-hyeon (Lee Byung-hoon), who brutally murders serial killer Jang Gyeong-cheol (Oldboy Choi Min-sik) and his pregnant fiancee and puts him in court. Men can go.
Falls down the path of evil to get justice for murder. By the end of this violent and heartbreaking film, Soo-hyun’s approach to justice is justified, and it’s even more difficult to distinguish between the hero and the villain in his story.
8. Memories Of Murder
IMDB- 8.1
Released in 2003, Bong Joon-ho’s Memories of Murder is based on the true story of a messy small-town police force that framed Korea’s first officially recorded serial killer case between 1986 and 1991. Park, played by Song Kang-ho. Detective Doo-man in charge of the case and Kim Sang-Kyung as Detective Seo Tae-Yoon from Seoul accurately portray a historical serial murder case and futile attempts to uncover the culprit.
It was Bongman. This film is a must-see for anyone who wants to see more of the work of the director, who won an Oscar for his second feature film (Barking Dogs Don’t Bite, released in 2000). But those who don’t like unfortunate endings should know that this crime drama isn’t for the faint of heart.
9. Train To Busan
IMDB- 7.6
In 2016, the video issue presented a global audience of Train to Busan, one of the most captivating, emotional, and terrifying zombie films released in more than 20 years. The film takes place mainly on the Shinkansen bound for Busan. The film explores ideas like the treatment of poor citizens, how society’s elite views them, and the way death comes to all in some form or another. Us.
The film also deals with the true meaning of being a father, the meaning of salvation, and finding the will to survive in the face of death. Based on Gong Yoo’s memorable performance in this emotionally complex zombie film, Soku is a father obsessed with trying to get a daughter. , Xuan (Kim Xuan) to her mother’s home in Basan, and Ma Dong-Seok Joo Sanghwa, a strong muscular man who travels with his pregnant wife, Seong-gyeong (Yumi Jun).
Throughout the film, the two learn what it’s like to be a father as they struggle to save the life of their loved one. This example of self-sacrifice for others leads to one of the most satisfying and heartbreaking endings of a zombie movie in a long time.
10. Parasite
IMDB- 8.6
And then there is Parasite. What can be said about this movie that hasn’t already been said? It took home the top honors at multiple awards shows in early 2020, including Best Original Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Picture at the 92nd annual Academy Awards. This movie is that good.
For Parasite, Bong Joon-ho took elements and ideas from nearly every one of his previous movies, including the close-knit bond of the economically-depressed Kim family and how their closeness and lack of prosperity juxtapose against the well-off but distant Park family who they come to serve.
We won’t go into great detail about the intricacies of the film’s plot, but we will say go see this movie. You might think that the film is overhyped, but this is one of those rare instances where a film exceeds all expectations. Once you’ve seen the film for yourself, make sure to check out our explanation of the film’s mind-boggling ending.
Korean cinema has made some of the most interesting films in the world. Prepare to become emotionally immersed in the twists and turns of these films as you delve deeper into the Korean culture present in them. We hope that our list of the 10 best Korean movies of all time is a good starting point for a deeper understanding of Korean cinema!
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