Korean cinema has long been producing some of the most captivating, interesting and twisted movies ever made. For those who are fascinated by the Korean Language and culture, watching the best Korean movies of all time can be quite helpful. TechTrends put together the best Korean movies to add to your watch list, including horror, romance, action, drama, and more.
After the movie Parasite won the 2020 Academy Award for the Best Picture as a foreign language movie, the South Korean films began to attract a lot of attention. Now, you may be looking to watch even more incredible Korean movies. From tear-jerking dramas to exciting horrors to the best romantic movies, there is something for everyone on this list. Fortunately, South Korea has long been making groundbreaking movies that have international acclaim. TechTrends decided to make a list of the best Korean movies of all time and help you see what Korean cinema has to offer. Therefore, make sure to read all the way down to find the ones you are interested in watching.
Best Korean Movies of All Time; What Movie to Add to Your Watch List
It does not come as a surprise that many people are now looking to delve further into Korean cinema and its wonders. With its extensive list of fascinating movies, TechTrends thought it would be helpful to provide you with a guide to the best Korean movies of all time. The South Korean film industry has been busy pumping out some of the best ones in the last few decades. Keep reading the list of the top Korean films ever made to find out; they are based on chronological order.
Parasite 2019
- Director: Bong Joon-ho
- Genre: Drama, Thriller
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 98%, IMDb 8.5
The Academy Award winner Parasite is the hot drama, comedy, and thriller that has swept the world. Regarded as one of the best Korean movies of all time, Parasite focuses on the story of the Kims. They are a struggling family who sees a chance of conning their way into working for a wealthy family named the Parks. However, they run out of good fortune as they may be exposed by an ex-maid of the family. One of the reasons behind its major success is that it delivers an intriguing take on themes like class, violence, and social inequality.
Burning 2018
- Director: Lee Chang-dong
- Genre: Mystery, Drama
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 95%, IMDb 7.5
The movie burning is based on a short story written by the Japanese author Haruki Murakami named Barn Burning. The story follows a young man who comes across a mysterious secret when his childhood friend comes back from a trip and brings a man who has a strange hobby. One of the most significant achievements of this movie is how it is controlled and restrained by the narration, using minimal exposition, and depending on visual cues to show the tension between the characters. The director does not express feelings of anger, grief, rage, love, and envy explicitly. You don’t want to miss this incredible movie.
A Taxi Driver 2017
- Director: Jang Hoon
- Genre: Action, Drama
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 96%, IMDb 7.9
Song Kang-ho, the amazing actor in Parasite, plays in yet another incredible movie, but this one is about a taxi driver. He becomes part of the Gwangju Uprising unintentionally, which is an event that happened in South Korea in 1980. Moreover, the movie is based on a real-life true story, which makes it pretty compelling to watch. A Taxi Driver is among the best Korean films of all time.
Train to Busan 2016
- Director: Yeon Sang-ho
- Genre: Horror, action
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 94%, IMDb 7.6
Train to Busan is quite simply one of the best zombie movies ever set in South Korea. It follows a man and his daughter as they board a fast train from Seoul to Busan during a zombie outbreak. It is unique, brilliant, and of the best Korean movies of all time. Then, the passengers have to fight for their survival and protect their loved ones. This is another must-watch Korean film that takes on one of the most classic genres, the zombie apocalypse. One of the key themes of this horror movie is how important empathy is.
The Handmaiden 2016
- Director: Park Chan-wook
- Genre: Drama, Romance
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 96%, IMDb 8.1
Another incredible movie from Park Chan-wook is the Handmaiden, which is an erotic psychological thriller and romance. The movie is from an inspiration taken from the novel named Fingersmith written by Sarah Waters. Moreover, it is a masterfully performed and presented story of love and deception. You will see lots of turns and twists in the story that revolves around a Japanese heiress and her Korean handmaiden. She is actually working hand in glove with a con-man to take away the wealthy woman’s inheritance. This is one of the best Korean films of all time if you are in it for a romantic story.
The Wailing 2016
- Director: Na Hong-jin
- Genre: Horror, Thriller
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 99%, IMDb 7.4
A creepy horror/thriller that is set in a rainy, small village where there is a strange illness going around, The Wailing is dripping with atmosphere. The villagers find themselves stuck in their worst nightmare. In this movie, there is a perfect combination of supernatural mystery, comedy, and shamanistic mysticism. In addition, the director does this blending of genres with ease which is impressive. A series of brutal murders are linked to a mysterious stranger’s arrival at the village. This horror gem The Wailing is known as one of the greatest Korean films ever.
The Beauty Inside 2015
- Director: Jo Yeong-wook
- Genre: Romance, Drama
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 70%, IMDb 7.3
For those who are here for a good romantic movie, this 2015 drama and romance film is a great choice. The story follows a man that wakes up to be in a different body on a daily basis. Moreover, the bodies have different age, gender or nationality. He falls in love with a woman he meets while working. Although the movie is fictional, it makes people wonder what they refer to as their identity. It insists that people’s identity is more than just their body and it is what they think is a true portrait of that. The love that is for the person inside is the love that is everlasting.
Poetry 2010
- Director: Lee Chang-dong
- Genre: Drama
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 100%, IMDb 7.8
Those who are interested in emotionally stirring films will find this movie very satisfying. The story follows an elderly woman who starts a poetry class following his Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis. Also, she lives with her grandson in a modest house. Moreover, she is struggling to deal with her disease while also coping with the fallout from a family crime. When she joins the poetry class, there is an irony to her tragic news. It is highly known as one of the best Korean movies of all time, under Lee Chang-ho’s direction. He is also regarded as one of the greatest contemporary screenwriters and directors. Also, among the themes of the movie are family, memory, and morality and it does an excellent job of exploring them beautifully. So, keep the tissues close.
I Saw the Devil 2010
- Director: Kim Jee-woon
- Genre: Thriller, Horror
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 81%, IMDb 7.8
Also, on the list of the best Korean movies of all time is I Saw the Devil, with so many twists throughout the movie. When a young police detective ties the knot with a young girl who is the daughter of the precinct’s chief of police, she is murdered in a gruesome way. In addition, the killer is a psychotic person who takes pleasure in torturing and terrifying others. When the husband finds out his wife was pregnant at the time of being murdered, he works hard to discover the person responsible. However, he does not follow the law when he realizes who the murderer is as he is desperate to take his own revenge. Moreover, it is a movie worth watching.
Mother 2009
- Director: Bong Joon-ho
- Genre: Drama, Mystery
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 96%, IMDb 7.8
One of the finest works of Bong Joon-ho, Mother, is among the best Korean movies of all time. It sees a murder mystery genre fascinate the audience as a mother, whose disabled son is accused of murder, tries to find the true murderer to clear the name of his son. The performance of the lead actor is magnetic as he portrays an unconditional love for his son and the supporting cast also shines all throughout the movie. Also, Mother is regarded as a masterfully produced thriller in all aspects. The director released this movie a decade before his movie Parasite won an Academy Award.
Thirst 2009
- Director: Park Chan-wook
- Genre: Horror, Romance
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 80%, IMDb 7.1
This horror film named Thirst tells the story of a priest who works as a volunteer in a South Korean hospital for a vaccination project. The project is secret and it intends to put an end to the spread of a deadly virus. However, things go wrong and the priest goes under an emergency transfusion. Then, he is turned into a vampire, which makes him thirsty for blood. Another great performance from Song Kang-ho is presented in this Horror, romance movie made back in 2009.
The Chaser 2008
- Director: Na Hong-jin
- Genre: Thriller, Action
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 82%, IMDb 7.8
The Chaser follows the story of a former policeman who turned pimp and runs a ring of prostitutes in South Korea. Some of the girls get disappeared and do not pay what they owe. Then, he realizes a psychopathic serial killer took them. Following that, he does his best to try and save them and track them down before things go wrong. This is also one of the greatest Korean films ever.
The Host 2006
- Director: Bong Joon-ho
- Genre: Horror, Action
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 93%, IMDb 7.1
This action horror film happening in Seoul, South Korea, The Host, revolves around the family of Park Hee-bong, who is an average family working hard. When chemicals are dumped into the Han River by the American military, a monster is created. In order to free their daughter from the terrifying sea creature, the family has to do everything they can. Therefore, this is one of the greatest monster movies ever made and one of the best Korean movies to add to your list.
A bittersweet Life 2005
- Director: Kim Jee-woon
- Genre: Action, Drama
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 100%, IMDb 7.5
One of the greatest South Korean gangster movies, A Bittersweet Life, is still effective after all these years. Things go wrong for a mobster when he refuses to proceed by the orders of his boss, who believes his girlfriend is being unfaithful. Also, the main character is elevated by the excellent acting. It is among the greatest Korean films ever, so add it to your watch list.
3-Iron 2004
- Director: Kim Ki-Duk
- Genre: Romance, Drama
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 87%, IMDb 7.9
3-Iron is a romance movie, unlike anything you have seen before as the two lead characters do not exchange a single word. However, you can clearly feel the love between them. Moreover, their love is so passionate and complete that despite the lack of talk between them, it is still one of the best Korean movies of all time. In addition, the presentation is quite inventive as the director specializes in neo-silent-film style. In addition, the storytelling is taken to the literal extreme in a way that there is no need for language.
Oldboy 2003
- Director: Park Chan-wook
- Genre: Mystery, Drama
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 81%, IMDb 8.4
This dramatic mystery movie named Oldboy attracted the attention of the international audience to the Korean thrillers. The story is about a belligerent drunk Oh Dae-Su who goes in and out of prison. Then, he is kidnapped and when he wakes up, he finds himself in a cell with no windows where he is kept for 15 years. When he was released without any explanations, he has to find his captor and kill them in five days. The, he is given money, a cell phone, and clothes. The movie has a bloodcurdling revenge theme. Moreover, not only is it one of the best Korean movies of all time, it is also one of Park Chan-wook’s best works.
Memories of Murder 2003
- Director: Bong Joon-ho
- Genre: Crime, Thriller
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 95%, IMDb 8.1
If you have already watched Parasite and you love Bong Joon-ho’s work, Memories of Murder is a good one to explore more of his films. The story follows two detectives who are investigating a series of murders to crack the case of the ritualistic serial killing and raping of women in a South Korean small town. Moreover, as one of the best Korean movies of all time, this Bong Joon-ho masterpiece is a sweeping, serial killer epic. During the investigation, they find out the critical connection between the repressive society and these people.
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter…and Spring 2003
- Director: Kim Ki-duk
- Genre: Drama, Romance
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 94%, IMDb 8
Another one of the best Korean movies to add to your watch list is the romantic drama Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter…and Spring. Moreover, it is a story of a Buddhist monk who raises a boy and imparts wisdom and compassion to him. This is a repetitive cycle of life and we see life grown in the backdrop of spring, summer, fall, and winter. Then, a young girl comes to the temple they are living in and asks for help. The boy starts to fall in love with her and goes to the modern world with her, which he is not ready for.
Final Thoughts
Korean cinema has long been producing some fascinating movies ever. If you have chosen to watch one of these movies, be prepared for emotional investment in the twists and turns of them. Moreover, you can dive into the culture of South Korea as it is presented in the movies. So, TechTrends tried to help you with a good starting point as you delve deeper into their cinema.