13 South Korean Movies You Should Add To Your ‘Must Watch’ List

When it comes to movies, almost every noted film industry takes inspiration from South Korea. Be it rom-com, drama, or horror, no other industry has brains as quirky or as twisted to come up with the ideas that they can and have.

Their horror movies will give you nightmares for a lifetime (believe me, I speak from experience) while their rom-coms would make you swoon completely. In case you are just starting with South Korean films, here are some of the gems that took the world by storm.

Drama movies

1. Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring, 2003

The story of this film traces the journey of a Buddhist monk through the seasons of his life. Along with a breathtaking cinematography, you’ll also pick up some profound wisdom from this movie.

 

2. The Attorney, 2013

This courtroom drama was inspired from a real life incident, the ‘Burim case’ that happened in 1981. This film focuses significantly on human rights issues. It is a must watch if you like intense mind games with dramatic flairs.

 

Action and thriller

3. Oldboy, 2003

This utterly twisted movie tells the tale of a man who was imprisoned in a hotel room for 15 years without any apparent reasons and his quest for vengeance has been portrayed with impeccable artistry in this movie. So much so that Hollywood got inspired and made a version of their own of this film.

 

4. The Admiral, 2014

This movie depicts the story of the Battle of Myeongnyang of 1597, which was almost the Asian version of the Sparta story. It has a perfect combination of drama and action. This is also the highest grossing South Korean movie so far.

 

5. My Wife is a Gangster, 2001

This movie has a hot female gangster leading a double life, fabulous action scenes and well-timed comic scenarios. Save one of your evenings for this one, you’ll have a good mental detox.

 

6. Memories of Murder, 2003

This crime drama was based on the true event of Korea’s first serial killings that took place between 1986 and 1991. Look out for the cinematography of this film.

 

7. A Hard Day, 2014

This crime thriller would make you remember the same kind of chills you had while watching “I know what you did last summer”. This action packed movie is everything you need to get an adrenalin rush.

 

Horror films

8. A Tale of Two Sisters, 2003

This psychological horror is extremely creepy to say the least. The director marvelously covered the lines between the reality and the occurrences inside the chief character’s mind with crafty skills of storytelling. A Must Watch.

 

9. The Host, 2006

This movie comes from the director of Memories of Murders and is a widely praised monster horror film. It also throws lights on the issues of water pollution and the ill effects on water creatures.

 

10. Whispering Corridors, 1998

The first film of the series (which too is known by the same name), this boarding school horror is as horrific as it can get. And like any other South Korean horror movies, it will leave you scared even to go to the washroom across the hall!

 

Rom-coms

11. My Sassy Girl, 2001

The highest grossing South Korean comedy of all time, this movie tells the accidental love story of an engineering student. This movie has inspired many other film industries to make remakes in their language.

 

12. A Moment To Remember, 2004

Okay, so this is not exactly a rom-com as it would leave you devasted and bawling your eyes out at the end, but it has one of the best depictions of love I’ve come across. This film would teach you how to love a person even when you’re slowing getting erased from her mind… keep those tissues handy.

 

13. I’m a Cyborg, but That’s OK, 2006

This fab rom-com traces the love story of a woman who thinks she is a cyborg and a man who thinks he can steal other people’s souls. I rest my case.

Heat up that laptop, grab some popcorns and them pillows. Merry watching!

Cover Image Sources: 1, 2