The Hallyuwood’s collection of best Korean movies of all time goes behind Parasite and Train to Busan- Here’s my pick!
The jingle of soju, the tang of kimchi, and the allure of K-dramas often ring in our ears; but once in a while, a Hallyuwood (the Korean movie industry) blockbuster emerges and commands our full attention, transcending the familiar. Titles like ‘Parasite’ and ‘Train to Busan’ stand as shining examples.
Korean movies are masterpieces of filmmaking. The breathtaking landscapes in The Handmaiden and the eerie, atmospheric shots in The Wailing exemplify the meticulous attention to detail in Korean cinematography.
These films are not just stories told but experiences crafted to evoke deep emotional responses and provoke thought. To put it simply, Korean moviemakers are excellent storytellers with the ability to ignite passion and trigger deep emotions through screens.
But beyond these, there’s an entire universe to explore in the always-evolving list of best Korean movies of all time!
Let’s have a look!
Best Korean Movies of All Time!
The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil
- Genre: Action, Crime, Suspense
- Streaming On: Amazon Prime
Eternals’s Ma Dong-seok is the Kingpin in this movie shaking hands with a Cop to catch a serial killer on the loose. The line between the law and things that needed to be done is very thin. So it’s not a typical cop-criminal team- it goes deeper, and gets darker!
But what enhances the adrenaline rush is its car chases and fist fights. There’s a reason at every turn that will rush you into exploring more from the genre.
Train to Busan
- Genre: Action, Horror
- Streaming On: Amazon Prime
Released in 2016, Train to Busan still remains one of the best zombie apocalypse movies I have ever watched. Gong Yoo’s character Seok-woo and his daughter are the highlights of this movie fighting for their survival in a zombie outbreak. While it may sound like a cliched plot, trust me, it definitely is not. The movie zombifies an emotional plot quite creatively putting you through not only horror but also through a gut wrenching emotional story of supporting characters.
Parasite
- Genre: Action, Horror
- Streaming On: Amazon Prime
In 2020, through Parasite, Korean entertainment made history by captivating global cinephiles, earning its first-ever Best Picture Oscar for a non-English production. Directed by Bong Joon-ho, Parasite was a subtle social commentary covered under the layers of horror, thriller, and brilliant storytelling.
The movie unveils the often-overlooked world of underdogs in South Korea, hidden beneath the glittering façade of wealth and luxury. Its sharp social commentary is delivered through outstanding performances, clever writing, and a brilliant direction.
Each scene in this Korean flick is crafted with precision, keeping audiences captivated and on edge. Simply put, Parasite remains in your mind for a long post its runtime. You will know why once you watch it.
I Saw the Devil
- Genre: Crime, Horror
- Streaming On: Amazon Prime
One of the most gruesome and disturbing serial killer movies, I Saw the Devil tells the story of revenge. Choi Min-sik as the serial killer brutally tortures and kills the wife of an Intelligence agent Kim Soo-Hyeon played by Lee Byung-hun.
But it’s not the typical revenge story you might be imagining. As Soo-Hyeon methodically hunts down Kyung-Chul, the lines between good and evil blur, leading to a brutal cat-and-mouse game that tests the limits of sanity and morality.
Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds
- Genre: Action, Horror
- Streaming On: Netflix
If you are into fantasy movies, or even if you’re not, there are hundreds of reasons why Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds should be in your Korean playlist. The afterlife drama focuses on a firefighter going through the after-death trials after a heroic death. But once we start exploring his memories, secrets that come out shock the Gods as well as us, the audience.
While I felt the VFX side was weak, the excellent storytelling and cinematography made up for it. Also, there’s a sequel that follows up the story of the first part Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days. But don’t worry, the first chapter wraps up the story before leading you to another.
The Wailing
- Genre: Action, Horror
- Streaming On: Amazon Prime
This movie is a compilation of subgenres of horror- be it zombies or demons, there’s so much it covers perfectly. But there’s more to it that makes The Wailing deserving to be counted among the best Korean movies of all time.
The story follows a hapless police officer, Jong-goo, who is thrust into a nightmarish investigation when a series of inexplicable illnesses and violent deaths grip the community. As paranoia and fear spread, Jong-goo’s desperation grows, especially when his daughter becomes afflicted by the same malevolent forces.
This masterful blend of horror, mystery, and supernatural elements, creates an atmosphere thick with dread and suspense. As you progress, you also come across concepts like shamanism, and religious symbolism, that will lead you to a a disorienting journey through its labyrinthine plot.
The Witch: Part 1 – The Subversion
- Genre: Action, Horror
- Streaming On: Amazon Prime
If you have watched Netflix’s show, Hanna, you will find the vibe of the movie similar but the plot is much darker and filled with twists. I personally found the movie satisfying. It delivers what it always meant to deliver- an overpowered witch fighting against another bunch of overpowered freaks who could evaporate a human with just a snap.
Action scenes in the movie are legendary, but what I absolutely loved is the sense of satisfaction that this Korean flick delivered.
As for the plot, it follows Ja-yoon, a seemingly ordinary high school girl with a hidden past. After escaping from a mysterious laboratory as a child, she has been living a quiet life with her adoptive parents.
However, her peaceful existence is shattered when she displays extraordinary abilities on a national talent show, drawing the attention of sinister forces from her past. As dark secrets unravel, Ja-yoon must confront her true identity and the powerful enemies who will stop at nothing to capture her.
The Witch: Part 2. The Other One
- Genre: Action, Horror
- Streaming On: Amazon Prime
There’s another witch that helps the story continue after Jo-Yoon’s came to a pause in the first part. There are new villains, more powerful, deadlier looking for the girl played by Cynthia. But for me, the highlight of the movie was the Gray characters, Sgt Jo and Tom, bounty hunters looking for the girl.
The film delves deeper into the shadowy organization behind the experiments, revealing more about the origins and purpose of these powerful individuals. With thrilling action sequences and a gripping plot, it expands the intriguing universe established in the first film while claiming a stronghold among the top-rated Korean movies. Its excellent choice of BGMs, brilliant action sequences, and the sparkle of humor here and there definitely helped.
Past Lives
- Genre: Romance
- Streaming On: Amazon Prime
The tale of a childhood spark isn’t just a saga of romance, but also the tale of fate, and the passage of time. The story revolves around the Buddhist ideology of In-Yun: the connection, fate, or destiny of two people that goes beyond the circle of life and death.
Celine Song’s directorial debut, Past Lives is the story of Nora and Hae Sung- two childhood friends who had to be apart when Nora’s family immigrated. Even with the passing of time, the life kept bringing them back to each other.
But this isn’t your standard love story. Nora is now with Arthur, an American man you can’t help but like, adding layers of complexity and avoiding the easy dichotomy of right and wrong. What makes Past Lives truly beautiful is its nuanced handling of these complications.
The narrative unfolds in a way that defies easy predictions, culminating in an ending that feels both unexpected and perfectly fitting. As a film critic and lover of movies, I can say that it captures the bittersweet reality of human connections with grace and poignancy.
The Host
- Genre: Romance
- Streaming On: Hulu
Another cult classic by the master of filmmaking Bong Joon Ho, The Host is widely acclaimed for its innovative blend of horror, science fiction, and dark comedy. It follows the story of a dysfunctional family as they unite to rescue their youngest member, Hyun-Seo after a monstrous creature emerges from the Han River and captures her.
Bong Joon Ho has left a sharp social commentary through this movie as well. The movie harshly critiques government incompetence and environmental negligence.
But more than that, its impressive special effects, engaging storyline, and strong performances, particularly by Song Kang-ho, have garnered the movie a dedicated fanbase. Its critical success and lasting impact on both the horror genre and international cinema have cemented its status as a cult classic.
The Korean movie industry keeps delivering classics, so it’s just a pause before you have more options to check out here. I am on a mission to keep finding new recommendations, whether cult classics or new releases, you will find them on CineCinnati.com as I ensure those are worth your time.
So keep coming back for fresh recommendations and critics’ reviews every now and then!
Do you have any recommendations to share? Ping me here or reach out to me on Instagram!
