This Korean cinema watchlist will mess with your head
Hit pause on your K-dramas and watch these instead
When Bong Joon Ho’s Parasite became the first foreign language film to win the Best Picture Oscar in 2019, it marked a pivotal moment for Korean cinema and fuelled the ongoing Korean Wave. Suddenly, audiences around the world developed an appetite for the country’s distinct cinematic magic. This interest was well-founded, too, as Korean films like Oldboy, Train to Busan and The Handmaiden had already set the stage for this moment over the previous decade.
Since then, our love for Korean cinema has only grown, thanks to its unique approach to exploring human emotions through layers of societal commentary and unmatched technical brilliance. These films are hard to shake off. For instance, The Handmaiden by Park Chan-wook showcases their genre-blending abilities, seamlessly weaving together psychological thriller, historical drama and romance into one compelling narrative.
Whether addressing class inequality, historical trauma, or simply delivering unforgettable thrills, Korean filmmakers have made a significant impact on the global stage.
You’ve fallen in love with K-beauty, binged the K-dramas, and added K-literature to your TBR list, now, dive into this watchlist and immerse yourself in the world of Korean cinema, where each film offers a unique and unforgettable journey.
Korean films we’re adding to our watchlist
Wonderland (2024)
This science fiction romance whisks you away to a futuristic theme park where dreams and reality blur, and visitors can relive past memories and lost loves using virtual reality. As the characters, from a grieving father to a heartbroken girlfriend, traverse the dreamlike realm of Wonderland, they grapple with their pasts and unresolved emotions, seeking closure and reconnection. This heartfelt, imaginative drama offers a mesmerising ride that explores the ways in which technology intersects with human relationships. It’s like a virtual escape room for your heart—equal parts enchanting and thought-provoking—with a notable special appearance by Gong Yoo.
Space Sweepers (2021)
Another sci-fi offering, Space Sweepers is set in 2092 when Earth is nearly uninhabitable. The movie follows the crew of a space junk collector ship—Tae-ho, Captain Jang, Tiger Park, and the robot Bubs— called Victory as they scavenge debris in space. Their lives are turned upside down when they discover Dorothy, a humanoid robot with a powerful weapon inside her, who is being targeted by a big corporation. As they struggle to decide what to do with Dorothy, they become entangled in a larger conspiracy that could impact Earth’s future. The film blends action and humour, exploring themes of family, survival, and corporate greed in a visually stunning space adventure.
The Call (2020)
In this psychological thriller, Seo-yeon moves into her family’s old house and discovers a vintage phone that allows her to communicate with a woman from the past. This woman, Young-sook, is living in the same house but in the year 1999. As the two begin to develop a bond through their conversations, Seo-yeon learns that Young-sook is a troubled and violent individual, and their interactions begin to alter the course of both their lives in terrifying ways. The phone call disrupts the timeline, leading to dramatic and deadly consequences for the two women.
Love and Leashes (2022)
Love and Leashes is a quirky rom-com that dives into the world of BDSM with humour and heart. The story follows Ji-ho, a perfectionist with a need for control, and Jung-chul, an adventurous free spirit who enjoys being dominated—a secret Ji-ho accidentally uncovers. Intrigued, she offers to help him explore his desires, sparking an unconventional relationship that’s as much about self-discovery as it is about romance. As they navigate their unique dynamic, Ji-ho and Jung-chul learn to confront their fears, insecurities and deepest desires. The film offers a fresh take on relationships, highlighting the importance of consent and communication while navigating love’s more complicated corners.
Burning (2018)
Lee Jong-su, a young aspiring novelist in Seoul, runs into Shin Hae-mi, a childhood friend he barely remembers. After a brief fling, Hae-mi leaves for Africa, asking Jong-su to care for her cat. When she returns, she introduces Jong-su to Ben, a wealthy and mysterious man she met during her trip. As the three spend time together, Jong-su becomes increasingly suspicious of Ben, especially after Ben confesses a disturbing hobby—burning down abandoned greenhouses. When Hae-mi suddenly disappears, Jong-su suspects Ben is involved and obsessively investigates him. Tension builds as Jong-su uncovers unsettling clues, leading to a chilling confrontation that blurs the line between reality and obsession.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video
The Witch: Part 1 – The Subversion (2018)
The kind of unnerving Korean action-horror that keeps you up at night, the movie features Ja-yoon, a girl with no memory of her traumatic past, living a quiet life on a farm. She is plagued by mysterious headaches, and burdened by her family’s financial struggles. As she auditions for a singing contest with an attractive cash prize, she unintentionally exposes her telekinetic powers. Soon, her dark past catches up with her, revealing her strange origins and superpowers. Pursued by those who created her, Ja-yoon must navigate a world of secrets and danger, leading to an explosive encounter that challenges everything she thought she knew.
Stream it on Amazon Prime Video
Hunt (2022)
This gripping espionage thriller is inspired by three major historical events in South Korea during the 1980s: the Gwangju Uprising (1980), the defection of North Korean pilot Lee Woong-pyung (1983) and the Rangoon Bombing (1983). Hunt follows two senior intelligence agents, Park Pyong-ho and Kim Jung-do, who are on a mission to uncover a North Korean spy within their agency. As their investigation deepens, suspicion and tension between the two agents heighten, leading to a dangerous game of cat and mouse. The movie’s intense action, suspenseful twists, and rich historical context will keep viewers questioning allegiances and the truth until the very end.
Stream it on Amazon Prime Video
Lucid Dream (2017)
This sci-fi thriller takes you on a wild journey through the subconscious. Dae-ho, a journalist, is on a relentless quest to find his kidnapped son. After three unfruitful years, he decides to turn to lucid dreaming—a technique where you control your dreams like a director. With the help of a psychiatrist friend, Dae-ho dives deep into his own mind, hoping to unlock the secrets buried in his memory. As dreams and reality start to blur, he uncovers truths that are more twisted than he ever imagined. Lucid Dream blends mystery, sci-fi and psychological drama in a heart-stopping story as Dae-ho races against time in the dream world to save his son.
Ballerina (2023)
Ballerina is a high-octane action film that follows Ok-ju, a former ballerina who transforms into an assassin after a personal tragedy disrupts her world. When her best friend is murdered, Ok-ju sets off on an unrelenting quest for revenge. Combining a ballerina’s grace with the ruthlessness of combat training, she transforms into an elegant, deadly and efficient fighter. As she dives into a dangerous underworld, Ok-ju uncovers sinister secrets and faces off against formidable foes.
A Taxi Driver (2017)
Based on true events, the film follows Kim Man-seob, a debt-ridden taxi driver who unwittingly becomes involved in the 1980 Gwangju Uprising after he picks up Jürgen “Peter” Hinzpeter, a German journalist in town to report on the civil unrest. Despite his initial hesitation, Man-seob ends up assisting Peter and a student as they steer through chaos. As the situation intensifies, Man-seob struggles with his own guilt and the challenges of the uprising. He eventually returns to Seoul while Peter continues his reporting. Years later, we see Man-seob, still driving taxis, reflect on the profound impact of their experiences.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video
Night in Paradise (2020)
Night in Paradise is a thrilling crime drama that follows a gangster on the run after a brutal betrayal shakes his world. Seeking solace on Jeju Island, he’s caught between mourning his losses and evading his enemies. There, he crosses paths with a mysterious woman haunted by her own tragic past. As their lives intertwine, the two confront their inner demons and the perilous underworld around them. This film dives deep into themes of revenge, redemption, and the lasting scars violence leaves on individuals and their relationships.
