The Korean language, culture, and series created a very different influence on people around the world. The music, food, and drama were of a different that most people were longing for a very long time. The initial Hallyu wave was in the 1990s and the second wave was in the 2010s. Though the first one did influence people overseas, it was the second K wave that gave the country and its music, a larger exposure. From music to dressing, today’s Korean influence is inevitable.
Despite all the language and cultural barriers, the international audience is in love with Kpop, Kdrama, and a lot more. Kdramas are perfect for a young audience with limited episodes, catchy plots, and a picture-perfect cast, all in a foreign land. While Korean movies are more clever, with exceptional plots and a wonderful cast. So here are 25 Korean movies and dramas, that are some of the best among the lot.
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The Wailing (2016)
A mysterious stranger arrives at a little village, and unknown sickness starts spreading. A policeman, drawn into the incident, is forced to solve the mystery to save his daughter.
Parasite (2019)
A South Korean black comedy thriller movie, that questions the existing class division and discrimination in society. The poor Kim family finds their support and solace in the wealthy Park family. They develop a symbiotic relationship that finally ends in tragedy. The movie portrays the daily struggles of the poor, that deem of improving their condition.
A Tale of Two Sisters (2003)
This 2003 psychological horror-thriller based on a folktale by Janghwa Hongryeon jeon from the Joseon Dynasty rev0olves around a patient who is released from a mental institution and returns to the disturbing atmosphere of her family house.
Memories of Murder (2003)
A movie inspired by real-world crimes that remain unsolved. The plot revolves around the lead detective Park doo-man along with another cop is trying to find the serial killer who molested young girls over the years. 2003 movie shows the ineffectiveness of the then-police system and the poor safety of the Korean population, as the criminal remains free amidst the public. The film leaves a lot of staggering questions to be answered.
Peppermint Candy (2000)
The movie focuses on a man who committed suicide, and the movie turns to unravel the six chapters of his life that lead to the suicide.
Save The Green Planet (2003)
This science fiction comedy film basically revolves around Lee Byeong-Gu who is convinced that the world is under an alien invasion. And he kidnaps a man with the belief that the man is an alien.
I Saw The Devil (2010)
The movie is a shocking and stunning tale of murder and revenge. Soo-Hyun, an elite special agent sets out to take revenge on the murderer of his pregnant wife. The journey to find this psychopathic killer puts Soo-Hyun twisted between good and evil. Thus by tracking down the serial killer he himself has turned into a monster.
Joint Security Area (2000)
This is one of the movies that have the highest-grossing in the history of South Korea. It revolves around the investigation in connection with the fatal shooting that happened within the DMZ, the heavily fortified border that separates South and North Korea.
The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil (2019)
The 2019 crime action-thriller is about a mafia boss who teams up with a cop to find a serial killer. The main challenges they face are from their enemies at work.
Oldboy (2003)
Dae-Su Oh who was held captive for 15 years is released with a cell phone, a large sum of money, and expensive clothes. Unless he finds his captor in five days, a much worse fate awaits the man.
The Handmaiden (2016)
A movie full of twists and turns, a budding romance with edge-of-your-seat suspense, ‘The Handmaiden‘ focuses on a rich Japanese woman and her journey to freedom. She hires a handmaiden, who works hand in hand with a con man to cheat her out of her wealth. With a passionate romance between the handmaiden and the mistress, the plot undergoes turbulent changes.
Train to Busan (2016)
The action horror film is based around a zombie virus breakout that plagues South Korea. While on a journey to Busan, the passengers get affected by the virus. When everyone on the train gets affected a father sacrifices his life to save his daughter and a fellow pregnant woman passenger and help them reach safety.
The Chaser (2008)
The movie is inspired by real-life Korean serial killer, Yoo Young-Chul who is chased down by an ex-policeman. The detective had turned into a pimp and he finds that his prostitutes are going missing. As he looks for these missing prostitutes, he finds secrets that are more than what he can take in.
The World Of The Married (2020)
The drama revolves around marriage which seems happy and content for everyone around but is filled with betrayal and fear on the inside. Lee Tae-Oh dreams of becoming a famous movie director. He runs an entertainment business with the support of his wife Ji Sun-Woo. Even though he loves his wife, Lee Tae-Oh falls into a dangerous relationship. Thus betraying his wife.
Sky Castle (2018-2019)
Everyone is busy trying to ace exams so that they can settle for a better life. The drama focuses on the children of elite families who are trained by specialists in order to come first in school and entrance exams. But this leads to emotional distress and even murders.
Crash Landing On You (2019-2020)
A South Korean businesswoman gets trapped in North Korea and seeks the help of four North Korean soldiers. One of them falls in love with her and they make their escape together.
Reply 1988 (2015-2016)
The drama provides a nostalgic look back into the year 1988. The movie revolves around five families on the same street in the Ssangmundong neighborhood.
Goblin (2016- 2017)
The Goblin is in wait for his bride for more than 3000 years to redeem him of the curse. But eventually, when he meets his bride they fall in love and can’t let go of each other. But love always finds a path for them to reunite.
Mr. Sunshine (2018)
During the United States expedition to South Korea in 1871, a boy from Joseon boarded an American warship and goes to America. He returns to his home country as an American soldier stationed in the country, when he is an adult. The drama revolves around this boy.
Mr. Queen (2020-2021)
In the present day, Jang Bong-Hwan works as a chef at the President’s Blue House. He has a free spirit, but his spirit somehow finds its way into the body of Queen Kim So-Yong in the Joseon period.
Love (ft. Marriage and Divorce) 2 (2021)
The series tells the story of three married women whose lives take different turns and twist unexpectedly. This leads to the disclosing of secrets, divorce proceedings, and new romances. The show leaves you to contemplate what is left back as happiness finally in life.
Kill Me Heal Me (2015)
A love story between the son of a wealthy family who has 7 personalities Cha Do Hyun and Oh Ri Jin who becomes his secret psychiatrist. The drama is a mix of comedy, drama, and romance.
Hotelier (2001)
About a businessman who wants to take over a hotel and destroy the business into pieces. But when he gets to know the staff and falls in love with one of them, the scenario takes a different turn. However, he never tells them what is his purpose for living so long in this hotel.
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo (2016)
The young adult drama revolves around Kim Bok-Joo, who is a promising collegiate weightlifter. She meets her first love, Jung Joon Hyung again and they both start a tale of a caring romantic tale.
It’s Ok To Be Not Ok (2020)
Moon Kang-Tae works in the psychiatric ward. His job is to write down the patients’ conditions and to deal with unexpected situations, like if patients fight or they run away. The woman is a popular writer of children’s literature, but she is extremely selfish, arrogant, and rude. Love blossoms between the two taking unexpected twists and turns.
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