The Best Korean Movies to Learn about the Culture

When Bong Joon-ho's Parasite stormed global screens, the Western world was introduced to the wonders of Korean cinema. This is both wonderful and unfortunate for the same reason: there are so many incredible Korean movies, and they are not all like Parasite. Nevertheless, they share common features, like tight, well-paced scripts, stunning cinematography, thought-provoking storylines sublime performances, and an astonishing degree of purity.

You'll find little to no nudity, sex scenes are rare, and any violence depicted is not gratuitous. These qualities are typical across all South Korean entertainment genres, from the greatest dramas to Korean music. If you have only seen Parasite and Squid Game, you have plenty to explore in the world of Korean entertainment.

In this article, we look at the best Korean romantic movies, comedies and even Korean horror movies to help you find interesting ways to immerse in Korean culture.

Best Korean Movies: Comedy

One of the biggest challenges of exploring South Korean movies is the language barrier. However, whether for Korean romantic movies or comedy, we shouldn't underestimate the value of translators or subtitles.

Without subtitles, it would be challenging to fully appreciate the offerings of Korean cinema without learning the language.

Korean comedy movies, in particular, showcase linguistic sleights of hand and cultural quirks, such as the unique Korean ageing system, which make them a delight to watch. At first, they may appear superficially funny, but as you delve deeper into their cultural nuances, you'll discover how profound and hilariously entertaining these films can be.

Save the Green Planet!

One of the best Korean movies that should not be missed is Save the Green Planet! As mentioned, one of the biggest hurdles in watching Korean films is often the language barrier, but this sci-fi comedy is worth the effort reading subtitles.

The movie follows Byeong-gu, a beekeeper who is convinced that a pharmaceutical company CEO, Kang Man-shik, is actually an alien from Andromeda planning to take over the Earth. To save the planet, Byeong-gu attempts to remove Mr Kang's antennae to cut off his communication with his alien comrades. Director Jang Joon-hwan blends genres seamlessly, creating a cult classic that defies easy classification.

The cast, including Shin Ha-kyun as the lead and Baek Yon-shik as the CEO, deliver versatile and memorable performances. Whether you're a fan of sci-fi, comedy, or South Korean movies in general, Save the Green Planet! is a must-watch.

Midnight Runners

Midnight runners is without a doubt one of the best Korean movies.  Ki-joon and Hee-yeol, two police academy trainees, were finally granted a day off from their rigorous training. Hoping to meet some girls and unwind with some drinks, they head out for a night on the town. However, their plans are quickly interrupted when they witness an assault and kidnapping in progress.

Despite their desire to have fun, the dutiful trainees can't turn a blind eye to the crime unfolding before them. Thus, they abandon their original intentions and set out in pursuit of the perpetrators. What follows is a long and eventful night, filled with running, danger, and unexpected surprises.

Director Kim Ju-hwan puts Park Seo-joon and Kang Ha-neul, two budding actors, through their paces in this action-comedy film. It provides a realistic depiction of the darker aspects of South Korean life, while also showcasing Park Seo-joon's exceptional comedic skills. It's a must-see for anyone looking for an introduction to the best Korean movies.

Mother

South Korean movies often depict the importance of family ties in Korean culture, and "Mother" is a prime example. The film features veteran actress Kim Hye-ha as an elderly widow who cares for her intellectually disabled son, played by Won Bin. She earns a living as an unlicensed acupuncturist, but when her son is accused of murder, she sets out to prove his innocence despite lacking the funds for a proper defense. Directed by Bong Joon-ho, "Mother" takes viewers on a dark and genre-bending journey similar to his other hit film "Parasite."

Korean Horror Movies of Note

When exploring the psychological horror genre in South Korean movies, it's important to keep in mind the cultural preference for purity. This preference, which eschews explicit sex and violence, is reminiscent of the approach taken by Alfred Hitchcock in his timeless classic, Psycho. Rather than showing the knife penetrating the naked body in the shower, Hitchcock relied on implication to create suspense and terror. The same approach is often taken in South Korean horror movies, resulting in films that are still psychologically disturbing without being overly graphic.

I Saw the Devil

If you're looking for Korean horror movies that will keep you guessing until the very end, this thriller is a must-see. Lee Byung-hun delivers a powerful performance as a detective whose personal and professional life collide when his fiancée becomes a victim of a heinous crime. Meanwhile, Choi Min-sik's portrayal of the antagonist is chilling and unforgettable. As the two engage in a twisted game of wits and violence, the tension builds to a shocking conclusion that will leave you breathless.

The Wailing

The Wailing, is one of those Korean horror movies, which ticks all the boxes for a terrifying film. A creepy village in the forest? Check. Demonic creatures and eerie children? Check. Zombies? Check. And let's not forget the abundance of blood.

Out of all the Korean movies on this list, The Wailing stands out as a prime example of a pure horror genre. There's no hidden moral message or distracting subplots to detract from the chilling main storyline. Written and directed by Na Hong-jin, this gore-fest delivers on its promise with depictions of demons, evil spirits, and even cannibalism.

A Tale of Two Sisters

If blood-and-gore horror isn't your thing, fear not. This is one of those Korean horror movies that offers a psychological thriller with dissociative identity disorder, hallucinations, and ghosts. When one sister returns to her creepy family home to care for her sibling, the family's dark secrets begin to unravel, leading to a shocking revelation about their mother and sister's fate. Director Kim Ji-woon puts a modern spin on a Joseon-era folktale, and the talented Im Soo-jong and Moon Geung-young lead the small cast.

Best Korean Movies: Action

Understanding the history of the Korean peninsula is key to fully appreciating South Korean movies. Many Korean scriptwriters incorporate historical elements into their storylines, and some of the best Korean language movies are dramatisations of actual historic events.

Escape from Mogadishu

In 1991, North and South Korea were vying for admission into the United Nations, and their efforts included offering gifts to encourage support from host countries' leaders. This led to the North and South Korean ambassadors planning their visits to Somali president Siad Barre, which quickly spiraled into chaos.

While both Koreas did eventually become UN members in September of that year, Somalia remained embroiled in turmoil, especially under Barre's leadership. Director Ryoo Seung-wan and writing partner Lee Gi-cheol incorporated these historical facts into their action-packed thriller which became one of best Korean movies ever made. Kim Yeon-sok and Heo Joon-ho star as the South and North Korean ambassadors, respectively, in this tense and gripping film.

A Bittersweet Life

Director Kim Jee-won once again delivers one of his stunning South Korean movies with this crime boss action thriller. Lee Byung-hun plays Kim Sun-woo, the right-hand man of a crime boss who orders him to monitor his lover and kill her if she is unfaithful.

However, when Kim discovers her infidelity, he chooses not to follow the order. But going against the boss's wishes comes with consequences, as other hitmen are sent after him. Lee's nuanced performance as a killer with a conscience stands out, as does the film's expertly choreographed action scenes.

The Chaser

Korean horror movies or thrillers certainly tend to take inspiration from real-life events and people. This time, the plot incorporates the story of Yoo Young-chul, a notorious serial killer, into a fictional narrative about a disgraced police detective-turned-pimp. When two of his prostitutes go missing, he becomes desperate to find them, as they are a vital source of his income.

However, his search takes a dark turn when he discovers that the last person to see them was a regular client. Directed and co-written by Na Hong-jin, this suspenseful drama is meticulously detailed, even incorporating Yoo Young-chul's modus operandi into the story. Kim Yoon-seok stars as the disgraced detective, while Ha Jung-woo delivers a chilling performance as the unnervingly composed killer.

Korean Romantic Movies to Watch

The best Korean romantic movies have a tendency to defy traditional genre boundaries, which can make it difficult to find the specific type of movie you're looking for on Netflix. Searching for romantic movies, for example, may lead you to a Korean monster movie masquerading as a love story.

This is because Korean studios often avoid conventional romance films in favour of more unique stories. For instance, Moonlit Winter follows a mother and daughter (played by Kim Hee-ae and Kim So-hye) as they discover their true path to love, while Be With You (starring So Ji-sub and Son Ye-jin) is a slightly supernatural tale of a young wife and mother who returns to her family one year after her death. For those who enjoy a bit of culinary flair with their romance, Double Patty (featuring Shin Seo-ho and Bae Joo-hyun) offers inspiration for pursuing one's dreams while also highlighting Korean cuisine.

Of course, Korean cinema offers a range of genres, from dramas to action films to slices of life, and these can be found not only on Netflix, but also on platforms such as Ratunken Viki and AsianVote.