Summary
Over the last twenty years, South Korea’s film industry has produced some of world cinema’s most original and inventive movies. Many have becomegenre classics, catapulting their directors to international notoriety, collecting numerous awards, and earning many legions of fans.
Some of the greatest films of this time have been in the crime and thriller genres. Stories of brutal serial killers, corrupt cops, or clever fraudsters have captured audiences' imaginations with shocking and often violent imagery. With their twisted plots, stylish cinematography, and larger-than-life characters, these films take audiences to new and uncomfortable places, daring their viewers to turn away.
10New World
A Satisfying Crime Epic
This exceptionally crafted tale oforganized crimeand the police attempting to take them down was a critical and commercial success. The film follows Lee Ja-sung, an undercover cop embedded in one of Korea’s largest corporate crime syndicates, Goldmoon International.
As a power struggle emerges in the syndicate’s hierarchy, Lee Ja-sung is stuck between his precarious role in the organization and his police chief’s plans to bring them down.New Worldis a gripping crime drama with excellent performances from its established cast. The film chooses to delve more into its characters over explicit violence, makingNew Worlda slick and engaging crime movie that will please long-time fans of the genre.
9Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance
A Tragic Accident Leads To Revenge
WhileSympathy for Mr. Vengeanceis often overshadowed by later entries in Park Chan-wook’sVengeancetrilogy, this neo-noir thriller is a must-watch for fans of the director. The film follows the story of a kidnapping gone wrong when Ryu and Yeong-mi take a wealthy executive’s daughter for ransom.
While the pace of the movie can be slow, the film’sshocking plot and exceptional performanceshold the audience’s attention until the end. While winning several awards,Sympathy for Mr. Vengeancewould be a quiet start for one of South Korea’s greatest trilogies. However, Park Chan-wook would soon make international waves with his next movie,Oldboy.
8A Bittersweet Life
A Stylish Neo-Noir Action Classic
This fantastic action crime thriller stars Lee Byung-hun as the skilled and dangerous hitman, Kim Sun-woo, who is tasked with shadowing his boss’s mistress after she is suspected of cheating. After discovering the truth, Sun-woo refuses to kill the woman and becomes hunted by his former boss.
A Bittersweet Lifeis a tale of revenge, honor, and loneliness, with stylish cinematography, heart-pounding action scenes, and strong performances from its central cast. The movie was praised by critics and named one of the year’s best films.A Bittersweet Lifeis a crime classic and a must-watch movie for fans of Korean cinema.
7Lady Vengeance
A Stylishly Violent Revenge Story
The third entry in Park Chan-wook’s excellentVengeancetrilogy is astylish neo-noirthriller starring Lee Young-ae. The film follows Lee Geum-ja, who, after being wrongly accused of murder, is released from prison and goes on a mission of revenge against the man who framed her and stole her child.
Lady Vengeanceis a story of failed dreams and ruthless determination as Geum-ja enacts her plan with the help of ex-cons she met in prison. The film oozes style, with Lee Young-ae shining in the central role. She would also go on to win several awards for her performance. The film fits perfectly with the previous trilogy entries and would be a commercial and critical hit.
6Mother
She’ll Do Anything To Protect Her Son
Another Bong Joon Ho classic, this acclaimed thriller follows the story of an unnamed woman and her intellectually disabled son, Yoon Do-joon. After Do-joon is accused of murder, his doting and protective mother sets out to discover the truth.
Motheris a superbly written movie with excellent performances from its cast, most notably Kim Hye-Ja in the central role. While the film’s slower pace may not appeal to a wide audience, its engaging plot expertly blends horror, comedy, and drama. The film was released to widespread acclaim and would go on to win numerous awards.
5The Chaser
A Brutal Action Thriller
The Chaserfollows former detective, now turned common pimp, Joong-ho, who has run into trouble after two of his prostitutes go missing. Now on the trail of the killer, it’s a race against time to save his last girl, Kim Mi-jin.
The Chaseris a classic Korean crime thriller with heart-pounding action andshockingly bloody scenes. The film was inspired by the real-life serial killer, sex offender, and cannibal Yoo Young-chul, who was active in the early 2000s. The film was a commercial success and would win several awards.
4I Saw The Devil
A Brutal Game Of Cat & Mouse
WhileI Saw the Devilis a movie not for the faint-hearted, this stylish revenge story is a must-watch for fans of South Korean cinema. Kim Jee-woon once again directs Lee Byung-hun, as a skilled intelligence agent whose fiancée ismurdered by a brutal serial killer, played byOldboy’s Choi Min-sik.
Swearing vengeance, Kim Soo-hyeon uses all his skills to track and ruin the life of the killer.I Saw the Devilis a violent, bloody, and disturbing film with great performances from its two leading men. While there is some extreme content, the movie maintains a strong emotional core. Its stunning cinematography elevates the movie further, making the most violent moments gruesomely engaging.
3Memories Of Murder
A Famous Unsolved Mystery
Memories of Murderfollows two police detectives as they struggle to investigate a string of murders in a small town as a serial killer stalks rainy nights. The film was based on the then-unsolved case of the Hwaesong Murderer, who would later berevealed as serial killerLee Choon-jae.
The film is a stylish and twisted tale of police incompetence in a time before modern forensic technology. Bong Joon Ho expertly directs the brilliant ensemble cast as the characters fumble to find credible leads in the murder case.Memories of Murderis a fantastic thriller that will keep viewers hooked until the end. It is considered one of the best Korean movies ever made and has won numerous awards.
2Oldboy
A South Korean Classic
Park Chan-wook’sOldboyeasily ranks as one of the best films from South Korea’s worldwide cultural wave. This now-classic thriller follows Oh Dae-su, a man imprisoned without trial for fifteen years without ever knowing his captor’s identity. When he is suddenly released, he goes on a mission of revenge to uncover the secrets behind his incarceration.
Oldboy’s plot twists and turns, culminating in a notoriously shocking ending. The film is violent, raw, and filled with style. The film made international stars of director Park Chan-wook and leading man Choi Min-sik. While an American remake, directed by Spike Lee, arrived in 2013 to average reviews, the original remains a must-watch for film fans around the world.
1Parasite
A Family’s Struggle To Make A Living
The winner of multiple awards, including the prestigious Palme d’Or,Parasitewas an international hit that cemented Bong Joon Ho as one of the greatest directors working today. It would win Academy Awards for Best International Feature, Best Original Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Picture, making it the first non-English-language movie to do so.
The film follows the story of a poor family who infiltrates the lives of a wealthy family through fraud and trickery. The film tackles themes of class, poverty, and social inequality, while its story engages from opening to end. This shocking and layered movie is one of the best South Korean films to release in recent years and is a must-watch for all movie fans.
