Top 10 Korean Movies | Moviemasterdigvijay

TOP 10 Korean movies

The audience for Korean movies has been exponentially growing since Parasite won 4 Academy Awards. Movie Buffs now eargerly dig into more Korean movies, both new and past releases, to unearth more hidden gems.

But are they worth the hype? Audiences eagerly watch many of these so-called "hyped" movies from Hollywood, only to discover the movies fall far short of their expectations.

Recently, I have been watching a large number of Korean movies to analyse,from my point of view, if they rightfully deserve all the praise and attention. And I came to the conclusion that most of the Korean movies avoid the cliches that abound in most movies from other industries. For example, if you watch a large number of Hollywood movies, you know that there will be a happy ending( there are a handful of movies avoiding this trap of satisfying audiences, but they are few and far in between). You know that the "hero" of the movie will save the damsel-in-distress at the last moment, much to the relief of the audiences. In other words, if you watch a large number of movies, their plots are predictable and their far-fetched "twists" lack logic.

In Korean movies, most of the plot is unpredictable. Instead of throwing in random twists, more often than not the characters have a reason and motivation for their actions. You do not know when a particular character is going to die, and whether the lead characters will be able to make it till the end of the movie.

All right, enough of this analysis. Lets get into the list straight away !

NOTE: I have avoided putting Oldboy(2003) and Parasite(2019) since these movies are already known to worldwide audiences. In my opinion both these movies deserve the number one position.

10. The Host(2006)

A genetically mutated aquatic monster kidnaps a man's daughter, and the movie is mostly about his efforts to rescue her.

Sounds boring, right? Avoiding the typical traps of this genre, this movie contains some sly, and some not-so-subtle jabs directed at the Korean as well as the American government. This movie is funny, scary and thriling all rolled into one. At times the movie drags and might become monotonous, but all in all the movie is a very rewarding experience.

9. Mother (2009)

A mentally challenged young boy is convicted of a school girl's murder, and his mother spares no efforts to free him from prison.

Effectively balancing comedy and thrills, this movie shows how far a mother would go on to save her son, even commiting some terrible acts only to ensure her son is freed from prison. Some parts seem a little slow and the movie drags on slightly in the middle, but the ending is worth it.

8. No Mercy(2010)

While a forensic pathologist investigates a murder case, his daughter is kidnapped. The suspect of the murder case blackmails the pathologist to free him from the police so that his daughter would not be the next victim.

Although the movie is mostly thrilling and highly entertaining, there a few plotholes not expected in Korean movies. However, it does score a few points for its grim ending and a few grisly scenes.

7. The Chaser(2008)

A policeman-turned-pimp tries to investigate who is behind his missing prostitutes.

Although the kidnapper of the girls is revealed very early in the movie, the movie maintains a firm grip on the viewer's attention from beginning to end. Yoon-seok Kim(potraying the pimp) is given an excellent character arc, and he plays his role with aplomb. There is a distinct possibility that the ending will leave the viewer both satisfied and sad.

6. The Man From Nowhere(2010)

A man with a mysterious and a dark past goes on a killing rampage when a little girl close to him is kidnapped along with her mother.

I must admit that the plot has been done a million times before, but the director manages to hold onto the viewer's attention till the end. The action scenes are well-executed and audiences will sympathise with the lead character. This movie doesn't only comprise of action though, there a few genuinely touching and emotional scenes and the "man" 's actions are well justified. One of the negative characters is also given a brilliant character arc, something which I felt was refreshing in this genre. The ending made me shed a few man tears ( I am not exaggerating!!) and left a pleasant taste in my mind. Watch it if you want to be entertained, just don't expect it to be too deep.

5. Train to Busan(2016)

A sudden zombie attack on passengers travelling in a train(to Busan, you guessed it right!) leaves everyone in a life-or-death situation.

This movie manages to breathe some fresh life into the tired zombie genre by avoiding the typical traps. There is no Brad Pitt fighting against all the zombies and saving mankind. It portrays a more realistic situation of human beings becoming more selfish to protect themselves instead of trying to act the hero. The movie doesn't skimp on the action scenes either, providing bursts of well-executed action scenes fused with some drama and character development. There are a few unexpected deaths and heart-touching scenes as well. All in all, a well rounded film of this type.

4. A Hard Day(2014)

A corrupt detective tries to cover up a mysterious man's death in a car accident caused by him. Another shady man blackmails him to hand over the dead body to him for reasons unknown.

Fast-paced, and filled with some inventive and delicious twists and turns along with some black comedy thrown in for good measure, the movie maintains a solid hold on the audience's attention right till the end. Perfect for a Sunday afternoon.

3. New World(2013)

An undercover cop finds himself increasingly conflicted as he is forced by his superiors to be a goon longer than necessary.

Packed to the brim with a large assortment of characters, viewers might find it a bit difficult to keep track of all the characters. Nevertheless, the story line is loaded with some innovative twists and character development. The well-executed action scenes are a cherry on the cake. The ending, fresh and realistic, is guaranteed to leave a lasting impact on the viewer's mind.

2. Forgotten(2017)

When a man's brother is kidnapped and the kidnapped guy returns after a few days, there is a sudden change in his behaviour, prompting the man to investigate the kidnapping, realising all is not what it seems...

This movie was pure entertainment from beginning to end. Rarely mentioned in the list of best Korean thrillers, I was genuinely surprised on seeing how thrilling this little-known movie was, and it certainly deserves more attention and love among admirers of Korean thrillers.

1. Memories of Murder(2003)

Two detectives, one of them being dim-witted and other being more intuitive, struggle to find out who is behind the multiple rapes in a small Korean province.

The movie that catapulted Bong Joon Ho(director of Parasite) into the spotlight, effectively unites comedy and mystery, and the end result is a masterpiece. Based on Korea's first serial murders, this slow-burn of a thriller gradually ratchets up the tension with a haunting ending bound to leave an indelible impact on the viewer's mind.