Wanna find the greatest movies for your movie night? Here are some top Korean movies (–영화 yeonghwa) that are binge-worthy.
In the hit K-drama series Twenty Five Twenty One, the first episode talks about the IMF and the crisis that Korea is facing. The country of South Korea, along with other Southeast Asian Countries, suffered considerable damage, not just in the finance. It is mentioned there that IMF badly affects the Korean film industry because western movies are killing native Korean movies. With the 1997 crisis that Korea has faced, it’s almost unimaginable how the country was able to make the Korean culture known all over the world. But yes, they were able to pull it off.
Today, we were going to talk about top Korean movies of all time. We will go back in time to learn a brief history of Korean movies. We will also mention the directors and actors behind these awesome movies.
Brief History Of Korean Movies

South Korea has proven its place on the world stage in the film industry. Their K-dramas and movies are continuously being known and recognized all over the world. But, how did Korea manage to successfully make their films known? Here is a brief history of Korean movies.
1903-1945 – Japanese Colonization Period
- During this time, Korea is under Japanese occupation. Korea’s early film history is only known in bits. The vast bulk of Korea’s early film footage was lost owing to negligence or destruction caused by the Korean War, and currently, no feature film produced before 1934 exists in its entirety.
- A number of theaters were established in Seoul and neighboring cities such as Pusan and Pyongyang between 1909 and 1920. Japanese businesspeople owned the majority of these cinemas, but a few Korean theater owners amassed considerable wealth by displaying European and American imports. This money would eventually be put towards the first domestic productions.
- In 1919, the Danseongsa Theater in Seoul hosted Korea’s first “film,” The Righteous Revenge, a kinodrama in which performers played against the backdrop of a projected picture. In short, it is not actually a movie.
- In 1924, Korea’s first silent film was released. This silent film is entitled Jang-hwa and Hong-ryeon. It is based on a Korean folktale about two sisters and their evil stepmother. Seven Korean film companies also emerge over the next few years. Na Un-Arirang kyu’s is regarded as the era’s finest.
- Despite the growing popularity of local cinema, Japanese censorship has significantly impacted its development. Foreign movies began to arrive in the country, but the Japanese government was in control of the content. When no Japanese soldiers were around, the Korean narrators would engage in political criticism and mockery.
- Local films needed to be approved by a government censorship board, and police were present at screenings. Although a few works praising Korean nationalism were released in the late 1920s, censorship tightened dramatically after 1930, resulting in a rise in melodramas, costume dramas, and pro-Japanese films. Several features were outright forbidden and then destroyed.
- In 1935, Lee Myung-woo, with the help of pioneering sound specialist Lee Pil-woo, directed the first sound feature or Korean ‘talkie’ Chunhyang-jeon.But, this film came with even more censorship and restrictions from the Japanese. Local filmmakers during this time struggled to obtain sufficient funds to produce sound films.
- In 1937, the first standard for sound films was set. This was also when the Japanese invaded China, so Korean filmmakers were pressured to make films supporting the Japanese government. In 1942, Korean-language films were openly banned by the government.
- In total, only 157 movies were produced during the Japanese colonization period.
1945-1955 – End Of Japanese Colonization And Korean War
- After the Japanese occupation, Korea enjoyed a brief time of creative expression.
- Between the American takeover of Korea and the end of the Korean War, just five films have survived. One of these five films is Chayu Manse! (“Hoorah! Freedom”) by Choi Un-gyu’s.
- From 1950 to 1953, the Korean war happened. The war greatly damaged the country’s film infrastructure, and the industry’s headquarters was temporarily relocated to Busan. Very few films were produced during this time. Newsreels and war documentaries attracted a large number of filmmakers.
- In 1953, President Rhee Syngman proclaimed cinema exempt from all taxes following the armistice agreement in the hopes of revitalizing the sector. Movies are still highly-censored and focused on nationalism. Foreign aid programs gave film technology and equipment to South Korea, paving the way for the resurgence of Korean cinema in the late 1950s and 1960s.
1955-1969 – A Golden Age For Korean Cinema
- The Korean cinema industry saw a renaissance in the latter part of the 1950s, with the number of local films increasing from 8 in 1954 to 108 in 1959. The remake of Chunhyang-jeon was the country’s first blockbuster.
- In the late 1950s and the early 1960s, some of Korea’s most talented directors emerged. These directors worked at a time when the domestic film industry was experiencing unparalleled box office success.
- Kim Ki-young – He became the most shockingly original director who is known for his gritty local dramas like ‘The Housemaid’ in 1960, which is about a manipulative housemaid who seduces his master. This is regarded as one of the best movies of all time in Korean cinema and was remade in 2010.
- Yu Hyun-mok – He directed the film ‘Obaltan ‘ (Aimless Bullet), and it was released in 1961. It is about a poor accountant struggling to support his family after the war.
- Shin Sang-ok – He released the films entitled ‘A Flower in Hell” (1958), ‘The Houseguest and My Mother (1961), The Dream (1967), and ‘Eunuch’ (1968). He even released a film entitled ‘The Ninjas’ when he moved to Hollywood under the name of Simon Sheen.
- This was indeed the golden era of South Korean cinema, but an unexpected thing happened again. In 1962, military ruler Park Chung Hee enacted a rigorous Motion Picture Law that significantly reduced the number of film studios and reinforced government control over all parts of the industry.
- The number of local production companies was limited from 71-16 in one year. Films about illegal subjects and topics that could harm the country’s image were also censored. This includes communism and obscenity.
The 1970s – Korean Motion Picture Promotion Corporation And Korean Film Archive
- The film industry experienced a protracted period of dwindling admissions and rising government control in the 1970s. In an attempt to revitalize the industry, the Korean Motion Picture Promotion Corporation was established in 1973, and the Korean Film Archive was established the following year. Still, Korean film would not recover its commercial footing until the mid-1990s.
- Some of the films during this era are:
- Kim Ki-young’s ‘Insect Woman,’ ‘Iodo,’ and ‘Woman Chasing Killer Butterfly’
- Lee Jang-ho’s ‘The Hometown of Stars,’ and ‘Road to Sampo’
- Ha Kil-jong’s March of Fools.
1980-1996 – Infusion Of New Directorial Talent
- Although attendance remained modest, the 1980s saw a slight loosening of censorship and increased recognition from the world cinema community.
- Kang Su-yeon won the Best Actress Award at the 1987 Venice Film Festival for her portrayal in Surrogate Mother.
- Many significant names in the Korean film industry were known, like Im Kwon-taek, who was known for his films Mandala (1981) and Sopyonje (1993).
- With numerous significant changes in the 1980s, the Korean film industry began the initial steps toward a major shift. In 1988, military leader Roh Tae-woo approved a new constitution, which gradually eased political repression.
- The Motion Picture Law was revised in 1984, loosening some of the regulatory constraints on Korean filmmakers. As a result, by the late 1980s, a new generation of young producers had entered the film industry. Their innovative approaches to filming would have a significant impact on Korean cinema.
- Foreign film import restrictions were relaxed in 1988, and Hollywood businesses were allowed to open branch offices on Korean territory.
- Until now, the government had always strictly monitored and banned the exhibition of Hollywood or Hong Kong films in various ways. These new laws would force Korean films to compete directly with Hollywood productions for the first time.
- The film‘Marriage Story,’ directed by director Kim Ui-seok, premiered in 1992 to rapturous critical and popular acclaim, ushering in not only a new popular genre (sex-war comedy) but also a new era. Samsung, one of South Korea’s five main corporations, would be the first of the “chaebol” to join the film industry with this film.
- After the 1997 (“IMF”) financial crisis, many chaebol, including Samsung, nonetheless, large conglomerates like CJ, the Orion Group (Showbox), and Lotte remain the industry’s most powerful players today.
- Other films produced during this era are Jang Sun-woo’s ‘Seoul Jesus’ (1986), ‘Road to the Racetrack’ (1993), and ‘A Petal’ (1996).
1996-Present – The New Generation
- A new generation of directors took over the industry in 1996. Some of the renowned directors who made their debut during this time are:
- Hong Sang-soo – ‘The Day a Pig Fell Into the Well.’
- Kim Ki-duk – The Isle (2000)
- Lee Chang-dong – Green Fish (1997)
- Also making their debut were a group of younger, more commercially orientated filmmakers.
- Chang Yoon-hyun – “The Contact“; This marked the return of domestic feature film popularity at the box office.
- Kang Je-gyu – Shiri (1999)
- Since then, Korea has seen a boom era, one of the most unexpected and significant changes in contemporary world cinema. Local audiences flocked to local films, and by 2001, the 60-70 Korean films released each year had sold much more tickets than the 200-300 Hollywood and other titles.
- Korean cinema finally had a supportive government, a stable economic environment, and a coherent film policy in the 1990s.
- Today, South Korea is experiencing an incredible commercial boom that has fueled the film industry in recent years. Korean movies and Korean dramas are widely recognized internationally. Many Korean directors, actors, and actresses are slowly making their names known on the international stage.
Top Movies In South Korean Cinema
Now that we already know the colorful history of Korean movies let us now discover the best Korean movies that are loved by Korean society and even the world. Here is a list of the best Korean movies of all time.
1. Parasite (2019)
- Director: Bong Joon-ho
- Genre: Thriller/Drama
- Main Casts:
- Song Kang-Ho – Ki-Taek
- Jang Hye-Jin – Choong-Sook
- Choi Woo-Sik – Ki-Woo
- Park So-Dam – Ki-Jung
“You know what kind of plan never fails? No plan. No plan at all. You know why? Because life cannot be planned.” – Ki-taek
This is one of the most unforgettable lines in the award-winning Korean film Parasite. This film is the story of Kim’s family, who lives in a damp, insect-infested semi-basement apartment in a low-income district of Seoul. Kim’s family is composed of Ki-Taek (father), his wife Choong-Sook (Jang Hye-Jin), son Ki-Woo (Choi Woo-Sik), and daughter Ki-Jung (Park So-Dam). This family cheats their way into working for the Parks, an affluent family. When a threat to expose their surfaces in the form of the family’s ex-maid, their good fortune comes to an end.
Parasite won in different awards ceremonies like the following:
- 2020 (56th) BaekSang Arts Awards – Grand Prize (Daesang) (Bong Joon-Ho), Best Film, and Best New Actor (Park Myoung-Hoon)
- 2020 (56th) Daejong Film Awards – Best Film, Best Director (Bong Joon-Ho), Best Screenplay (Bong Joon-Ho) & (Han Jin-Won), Best Supporting Actress (Lee Jung-Eun), and Best Music (Jung Jae-Il)
- 2020 92nd Academy Awards – Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best International Film
- 2019 (40th) Blue Dragon Film Awards – Best Film, Best Director (Bong Joon-Ho), Best Actress (Cho Yeo-Jeong), Best Supporting Actress (Lee Jung-Eun), and Best Art Design (Lee Ha-Joon)
2. Train To Busan (2016)
- Director: Yeon Sang-ho
- Genre: Horror/Action
- Main Casts:
- Gong Yoo – Seok-Woo
- Jung Yu-Mi – Sung-Gyeong
- Ma Dong-Seok – Sang-Hwa
- Kim Soo-Ahn – Soo-An
- Kim Eui-Sung – Yong-Suk
- Choi Woo-Sik – Young-Gook
- Ahn So-Hee – Jin-Hee
- Jang Hyuk-Jin – Ki-Chul
- Shim Eun-Kyung – stowaway
When it comes to a zombie outbreak, it’s impossible not to think about ‘Train To Busan.’ The film follows Sok-woo and his daughter as they travel from Seoul to Busan via fast train. But while they are on the train, the zombie apocalypse begins. The planet is overrun by zombies throughout their voyage, compelling the passengers to battle for their lives and protect their families.
It also won different awards like Best Technical Award and Top Box Office Seller in the 2016 (37th) Blue Dragon Film Awards. Kim Eui-Sung also won Best Supporting Actor, and Yeon Sang-ho won Best New Director because of this film. It was also screened at the 2016 (69th) Cannes Film Festival.
3. The Beauty Inside (2015)
- Director: Baik
- Genre: Romance/Drama
- Main Casts:
- Han Hyo-joo -Yi-Soo
- Park Seo-joon – Woo-Jin
- Ueno Juri – Woo-Jin
- Park Shin-Hye – Woo-Jin
This movie is about Woo-jin, a man who wakes up in a different body every day. When Woo-Jin wakes up, he transforms into a different person. Woo-situation jin’s is not limited by age, gender, or ethnicity in this romance drama. Though on the inside, he is the same guy, the picture he displays to the public is always changing. He has feelings for Yi-Soo (Han Hyo-Joo). Yi-reaction Soo’s to Woo-secret Jin’s will be interesting to see.
The film The Beauty Inside gave way to Baek Jong-Yeol to win Best New Director in the 2015 (52nd) Daejong Film Awards. It also won Best Film Editing in the 2015 (36th) Blue Dragon Film Awards.
4. Space Sweepers (2021)
- Director: Jo Sung-hee
- Genre: Sci-fi/Space opera
- Main Casts:
- Song Joong-Ki – Tae-Ho
- Kim Tae-Ri – Captain Jang
- Jin Sun-Kyu – Tiger Park
The Sci-fi movie Space Sweepers is about a ragtag group of space junk collectors composed of Tae-Ho (Song Joong-Ki), Captain Jang (Kim Tae-Ri), and Tiger Park (Jin Sun-kyu), and the reprogrammed military robot Bubs scavenge space trash for a living. Tae-Ho will go to any length to make money, but he is never wealthy.
In the story, citizens and non-citizens are divided; governance is maintained. There is a growing sense of a divided society, with the impoverished forced to sabotage systems to survive. Space Sweepers won awards like Best Technical Award in 2021 (42nd) Blue Dragon Film Awards and Art Award in the 2021 (57th) BaekSang Arts Awards.
5. The Age Of Shadows (2016)
- Director: Kim Jee-woon
- Genre: Action/Thriller
- Main Casts:
- Song Kang-Ho – Lee Jung-Chool
- Gong Yoo – Kim Woo-Jin
- Han Ji-Min – Yun Gye-Soon
- Um Tae-Goo – Hashimoto
- Shingo Tsurumi – Higashi
The Age Of Shadows depicts Korean resistance fighters attempting to smuggle bombs into Seoul under Japanese rule in the 1920s. The story masterfully illustrates and explores how friends and fellow countrymen might find themselves on opposing sides during times of political persecution, as well as the enormous personal difficulties that can result. This is a very timely film that is very relevant in Korean society nowadays.
This film made Um Tae-Goo win the Best Supporting Actor and Jo Hwa-Sung with Best Art Design in the 2016 (53rd) Daejong Film Awards. Song Kang-ho also won Best Actor, and Kim Jee-Woon won Best Director in the2017 (53rd) BaekSang Arts Awards.
6. I Saw The Devil (2010)
- Director: Kim Jee-Woon
- Genre: Thriller/Action
- Main Casts:
- Lee Byung-hun – Soo-Hyun
- Choi Min-sik – Kyung-Chul
- Jeon Gook-hwan – Det. Jang
Now that you know the history of Korean movies, it’s hard to imagine that violent horror-thriller films like I Saw The Devil would be released. This film is about a highly-trained secret agent named Kim Soo-hyeon. After his wife is brutally killed, he sets out to uncover a psychopathic serial killer. When Kim Soo-hyeon discovers the serial killer, he embarks on a macabre game of catch-and-release, disregarding his own humanity.
7. Memories Of Murder (2003)
- Director: Bong Joon-ho
- Genre: Mystery/Thriller
- Main Casts:
- Song Kang-ho – Det. Park Doo-Man
- Kim Sang-kyung – Det. Seo Tae-Yoon
- Kim Roe-ha – Det. Cho Yong-koo
This award-winning film is about Park and Cho, two detectives assigned to a double murder case in a South Korean province in 1986. However, as the murderer repeats the pattern, the police realize they are on the trail of the country’s first documented serial killer. The two detectives struggled to solve the mystery behind these rapes and murders. In this true-crime thriller, Park and Jo try to piece together the facts and solve the case using just their basic abilities and instruments.
8. The Host (2006)
- Director: Bong Joon-ho
- Genre: Horror/Action
- Main Casts:
- Song Kang-ho – Park Kang-Doo
- Byun Hee-Bong – Park Hee-Bong
- Park Hae-il – Park Nam-Il
Director Bong Joon-ho is known for creating award-winning movies. You might think that the Movie Parasite is already a monster movie, but you might be thinking twice if you have watched “The Host.”
The story revolves around a monster who kidnaps a man’s daughter and attempts to save her. The story follows Park Hee-family, bong’s, an ordinary family living and working in Seoul. When a monster is discovered in Han River, one family must do everything possible to free their daughter from the monster’s clutches.
9. The Chaser (2008)
- Director: Na Hong-jin
- Genre: Thriller
- Main Casts:
- Kim Yoon-seok – Jung-Ho
- Ha Jung-woo – Ji Young-Min
- Se0 Yeong-hie – Mi-Jin
Remember when the government banned the negative topics in Korean movies? Well, the movie The Chaser will surely not be allowed by the government during those times. The film tells the life of Joong-ho, a former cop-turned-pimp who operates a prostitution ring in Korea. He is enraged because his females continue to vanish without paying their bills.
Joong-ho realizes they’ve been abducted by a sadistic serial killer when several girls vanish without paying what he owes. Joong-ho must seek them down before it’s too late in a desperate attempt to save them.
This film has gathered many awards at the 2008 (12th) Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival, 2008 (45th) Daejong Film Awards, 2008 (41st) Sitges Film Festival, 2008 (29th) Blue Dragon Film Award, and more. It was also featured in different film festivals like the 2008 (61st) Cannes Film Festival, 2008 (12th) Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival, and 2008 (13th) Pusan International Film Festival.
10. Oldboy (2003)
- Director: Park Chan-wook
- Genre: Mystery / Revenge / Suspense-Thriller
- Main Casts:
- Choi Min-Sik – Oh Dae-Su
- Yoo Ji-Tae – Lee Woo-Jin
- Kang Hye-Jung – Mi-Do
- Kim Byung-Ok – Mr. Han
- Oh Dal-Su – Park Cheol-Woong
Because of the Japanese occupation of Korea, it’s no surprise that their films have a large influence on the Japanese. This film is a loose adaptation of the Japanese Manga with the same title. The plot follows Oh Dae-su, who has been imprisoned in a cell that looks like a hotel room for 15 years without knowing his captor’s name or reasons.
When he is ultimately released, Dae-su finds himself still caught in a labyrinth of plot and brutality. When he falls in love with Mi-do, a beautiful young sushi chef, his own desire for vengeance becomes entwined with romance.
11. The Handmaiden (2016)
- Director: Park Chan-Wook
- Genre: Drama/Romance/Erotic Thriller
- Main Casts:
- Kim Min-Hee – Lady Hideko
- Kim Tae-Ri – Sook-Hee
- Ha Jung-Woo – Count Fujiwara
- Cho Jin-Woong – Uncle Kouzuki
- Moon So-Ri – Aunt
- Kim Hae-Sook – Sasaki
- Lee Dong-Hwi – Goo-Gai
The story is about Sook-Hee, a young woman who is engaged as a handmaiden to Lady Hideko, a Japanese heiress. Unbeknownst to Hideko, the new aide is a con artist who is collaborating with outside forces to have her committed to an asylum and lose her fortune.
12. The Wailing (2016)
- Director: Na Hong-jin
- Genre: Mystery/Horror/Thriller
- Casts:
- Kwak Do-won – Jong-Goo
- Hwang Jung-min – Il-Gwang
- Jun Kunimura – Japanese man
The story of this award-winning film is set in a tiny South Korean village where a weird ailment has begun to spread among the locals after the appearance of a mysterious stranger who is assumed to be an evil ghost. When rural villagers link a string of gruesome killings to the advent of a mystery visitor, suspicion turns to frenzy. In order to save his daughter, a local cop is required to unravel the stranger’s secret.
13. Mother (2009)
- Director: Bong Joon-ho
- Genre: Drama/Mystery
- Main Casts:
- Kim Hye-Ja – Hye-Ja
- Won Bin – Do-Jun
- Jin Goo – Jin-Tae
- Yoon Je-Moon – Jae-Mun
Another award-winning Korean movie that has been recognized locally and internationally is the film, Mother. This film is about a widow named Hye-Ja and his mentally-ill son, Do-Jun. When Do-jun is jailed for the murder of a teenage girl, Hye Ja does everything she can to provide for and protect him. The mother is convinced of his innocence and will stop at nothing to find out the truth. Mother is a taut and gritty thrill that was an early indicator of Bong Joon Ho’s cinematic talent. The Bong Joo Ho Collection includes this piece.
14. My Sassy Girl (2001)
- Director: Kwak Jae-yong
- Genre: Romance/Comedy
- Main Casts:
- Cha Tae-Hyun – Gyun-woo
- Gianna Jun – The Girl
Koreans are also great at doing films that give us romantic feelings. These films are well-loved by the viewers even up to this day. One of these films is My Sassy Girl. The story of this film tells the life of Gyun-Woo, a college student who prefers to pick up females, drink with his friends, and avoid his nagging mother at all costs. But his life changed forever when he met a girl while riding the metro.
She passes out on the train and vomits on an older gentleman. Everyone suspects she is Gyun-girlfriend Woo’s when she leans over to him! Gyun-Woo quickly finds himself in a relationship he didn’t want, yet he can’t seem to get away from this spunky girl.
15. Burning (2018)
- Director: Lee Chang-dong
- Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Drama
- Main Casts:
- Yoo Ah-In – Jong-Soo
- Steven Yeun – Ben
- Jun Jong-Seo – Hae-Mi
If you enjoyed the movie Parasite, the film Burning would also move you. The story is about Jong-Soo, who aspires to be a writer, but he now works part-time for a distribution company as a delivery man. He runs into his childhood buddy Hae-Mi while on the job. They form a bond, but things become tricky when she returns from a trip to Africa with Steven Yeun’s well-to-do Ben.
16. Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… And Spring (2003)
- Director: Kim Ki-Duk
- Genre: Drama/Romance
- Main Casts:
- Kim Ki-duk – Adult Monk
- Oh Yeong-su – Old Monk
- Kim Jong-ho – Child Monk
- Yeo Jin-ha – The Girl
This Korean movie set in the Korean wilderness is about the life of a Buddhist monk who lives with his master in an exquisite temple on a serene lake and explores how the concepts of joy, grief, memory, and regret play different roles in our lives.
17. Thirst (2009)
- Director: Park Chan-wook
- Genre: Drama / Romance / Supernatural
- Main Casts:
- Song Kang-Ho – Sang-Hyun
- Kim Ok-Vin – Tae-Ju
- Shin Ha-Kyun – Kang-Woo
- Kim Hae-Sook – Mrs. Ra
- Park In-Hwan – Old Priest
This story is about a priest who becomes vampiric after a botched medical experiment, forcing him to renounce his monastic lifestyle. Sang-hyun, a Catholic priest, volunteers for a covert medical experiment that mistakenly transforms him into a vampire with a powerful thirst for blood and human flesh. After starting an affair with Tae-ju, a member of his congregation and the wife of an ailing husband, a covert love triangle mixed with religious guilt and passion is sparked.
18. The Way Home (2002)
- Director: Jeong-Hyang Lee
- Genre: Family/Drama
- Main Casts:
- Kim Eul-Boon – Grandmother
- Yoo Seung-Ho – Sang-Woo
- Dong Hyo-Hee – Sang-Woo’s Mother
- Min Kyung-Hyun – Cheol-e
- Yim Eun-Kyung – Hae Yeon
The film is about a six-year-old boy named Sang-woo who is taken to his grandmother’s house in the country for a bit because his mother has to work. He despises his grandmother, who has never heard of fast food, and he despises country life, where there is nothing fancy to do. But the way going back home to the city is not nice as he expected.
19. A Tale Of Two Sisters (2003)
- Director: Kim Jee-won
- Genre: Horror/Thriller
- Main Casts:
- Lim Soo-Jung – Bae Soo-Mi
- Moon Geun-Young – Bae Soo-Yeon
- Yum Jung-Ah – Eun-Joo
- Kim Kap-Soo – Bae Moo-Hyeon
After an extended illness and hospital stay, Soo-Mi and Su-Yeon come home. Since their mother’s death, things have changed dramatically. Their return is welcomed by their stepmother Eun-Joo. When it comes to their family problems, Soo-Mi, the older and stronger of the two, isn’t hesitant to speak her thoughts. Su-Yeon is more fearful of their stepmother and seeks help from Soo-Mi.
The two had no choice but to put up with their stepmother’s bullying and harassment for the sake of their father. Soo-Mi swears to Su-Yeon that she will never again allow their stepmother to beat them. Strange things start to happen about the house. No one knows what has changed.
20. Tae Guk Gi: Brotherhood Of War (2004)
- Director: Kang Je-gyu
- Genre:
- Main Casts:
- Jang Dong-Gun – Lee Jin-Tae
- Won Bin – Lee Jin-Seok
- Lee Eun-Ju – Kim Young-Shin
- Choi Min-Sik – North Korean commander
Following the commencement of the Korean War in June 1950, Jin-Tae and Jin-Seok are brothers who were drafted into the South Korean army against their choice. Meanwhile, Jin-fiancee Tae’s Young-Shin joins the communist party in order to provide food for her family.
Jin-Tae, the older of the two brothers, swears to protect his younger brother Jin-Seok from harm. Jin-Tae begins to fight without fear after an official military pledge to send Jin-Seok home if Jin-Tae gets a medal of honor.
More Korean Films
Movie | Genre | Director |
26 Years (2012) | Thriller/Drama | Keun-hyun Cho |
A Bittersweet Life (2005) | Action/Drama | Kim Jee-Woon |
Always (2011) | Romance/Drama | Song Il-gon |
Alive (2020) | Thriller/Drama | Il Cho |
Battle Ground 625 (2005) | War/Drama | Park Kwang-hyun |
Be With You (2018) | Romance/Fantasy | Lee Jang-hoon |
Drunk Women and Poetry (2002) | Drama/History | Im Kwon-taek |
Forgotten (2017) | Thriller/Mystery | Jang Hang-jun |
High Society (2019) | Romance/Drama | Jung Ji-woo |
Hope (2013) | Drama | Lee Joon-Ik |
House of Hummingbird (2019) | Drama | Bora Kim |
Il Mare (2000) | Romance/Fantasy | Lee Hyun-Seung |
Kingdom: Ashin of the North (2021) | Action /Drama /History /Horror /Thriller | Kim Seong-Hun |
Lady Vengeance (2005) | Thriller/Crime | Park Chan-wook |
Lucid Dream (2007) | Thriller/Sci-fi | Jun-sung Kim |
Minari (2020) | Drama | Lee Isaac Chung |
Moonlit Winter (2019) | Drama/Romance | Dae Hyung Lim |
Microhabitat (2017) | Drama/Romance | Jeon Go-woon |
Night in Paradise (2020) | Drama | Park Hoon-jung |
Oasis (2002) | Romance/Drama | Lee Chang-dong |
Oki’s Movie (2010) | Drama/Comedy | Hong Sang-soo |
Okja (2017) | Adventure/Drama | Bong Joon-ho |
On the Occasion of Remembering the Turning Gate (2002) | Drama | Hong Sangsoo |
Pandora (2016) | Thriller/Drama | Park Jung-woo |
Peppermint Candy (2000) | Drama | Lee Chang-dong |
Pietà (2012) | Drama/Thriller | Kim Ki-Duk |
Pirates: The Last Royal Treasure (2022) | Adventure/Action | Kim Jeong-Hoon |
Poetry (2010) | Drama | Lee Chang-dong |
Psychokinesis (2018) | Action/Fantasy | Yeon Sang-ho |
Scattered Night (2019) | Drama | Sol Kim and Jihyoung Lee |
Secret Sunshine (2007) | Drama | Lee Chang-dong |
Seoul Searching (2015) | Romance/Drama | Benson Lee |
Snowpiercer (2013) | Action/Sci-fi | Bong Joon Ho |
Steel Rain (2017) | Action/Thriller | Woo-seok Yang |
Svaha: The Sixth Finger (2019) | Mystery/Thriller | Chae-hyŏn Chang |
Take Care of my Cat (2001) | Drama/Comedy | Jae-Eun Jeong |
The Bow (2005) | Drama/Romance | Kim Ki-Duk |
The Bros (2017) | Comedy | Chang You-jeong |
The Call (2013) | Thriller/Mystery | Lee Chung-hyeon |
The Dark Figure of Crime (2019) | Crime/Thriller | Kim Tae-Kyun, Kim Tae-Gyun |
The Day He Arrives (2011) | Drama | Hang Sang-soo |
The Drug King (2018) | Action/Crime | Woo Min-ho |
The Good, The Bad, The Weird (2008) | Western/Action | Kim Jee-woon |
The King And The Clown (2005) | Drama/Thriller | Lee Joon-Ik |
The Witch: Subversion (2019) | Action/Mystery | Park Hoon-jung |
The World Of Us (2016) | Drama/Family | Yoon Ga-Eun |
The Villainess (2017) | Action/Thriller | Jeong Byeong-gil |
Treeless Mountain (2008) | Drama | So Yong Kim |
Tune in for Love (2019) | Romance/Drama | Jung Ji-woo |
Wish You (2021) | Music/Romance/ Drama | Do Joon Sung |
How To Learn Korean With Korean Movies?

Did you know that RM of BTS revealed that he learned English by just watching the popular sitcom Friends? So, if you’re watching K-drama and you want to learn Korean, you are already in the first step. Here are some tips on how to learn Korean with Korean movies and K-dramas:
- Get to know the movie/Kdrama. Before you begin watching, read about the plot or the storyline. It will also be helpful if you pick a film that suits your taste so that you’ll feel motivated and interested. You need to understand first what this film is all about so that you can relate to the words and the story. It’s better, to begin with, some information than to watch without knowing anything.
- Focus. It’s easy to be carried away by your emotions when you’re watching Korean movies or K-dramas. But, if you really want to learn Korean, you need to focus on the lines that the characters are saying. With this, you’ll remember the words that are commonly used as well as the way the characters say them. Watch with learning a language as your goal.
- Watch with subtitles. Subtitles are your key to understanding what you are watching, but it is also an important factor in learning a language. There are platforms that have dubs available, but this won’t help you learn Korean. Subtitles are similar to training wheels in that they can assist you in gaining balance in a foreign language, even if they aren’t intended to do so indefinitely. After you familiarize yourself, you may try to watch it without subtitles and see if you can understand it. Well, repetition is really a key in learning a language.
- Do not watch in just one sitting. If you are worried that you might not enjoy what you are watching, then you can watch the movie solely for entertainment purposes only. You can watch it again, but divide the whole film into chunks this time. This way, you won’t feel overwhelmed. You can take your time studying the words as well as the pronunciations, gestures, facial expressions, and others.
- Takedown notes. Taking down notes is still one of the best ways to retain information. You can write all the words you hear. It can be overwhelming at first, but you may start with the words that are somehow familiar to you, the words that the characters are commonly using. This way, you can go back and review it anytime.
- Practice speaking. Learning vocabulary words do not guarantee a successful language journey. You need to use the language. The films are perfect for teaching you how words are delivered and the appropriate situations where you can use a certain word. The Korean language has different levels of formality and a different way of pronouncing words, so you can use the movies to have ideas about these things. Some people even reenact the scene just to learn the words effectively.
- Assess yourself. The best thing about learning Korean with movies is that you are learning while having fun watching. But, this doesn’t mean that you don’t need to assess yourself anymore. Even if no language tutor or teacher gives you a test, you can do it yourself. You can simply compose your own mini-quiz or watch the movie without subtitles. There are lots of things you can do to test if you have learned or not.
Watch Korean Movies Without Subtitles. Learn Korean Now!
You can learn Korean while watching Korean movies, but it will take time, and you need other resources to support your learning. Imagine how great it would be to watch Korean movies and K-dramas without subtitles. If you have this dream, try to learn Korean with Ling App now.
This language learning platform will give you a fun-filled Korean language learning journey with well-developed features and lessons. It is made to help you develop your language skills and achieve fluency in record time. All you need to do is go to the website or download the app, and you can start your first lesson right away. So, do not waste any of your time. Learn Korean with Ling App now!
FAQs
What is the number 1 Korean movie? ›
A landmark in world cinema, Parasite is the highest-grossing Korean movie in several countries, the first non-English production to win a Best Picture Oscar and universally regarded as one of the best films of the 21st century.
Where can I watch K drama in English? ›- Dramacool.
- Kissasian.
- Soap2day.
- Solar Movies.
- Yes Movies.
- NewAsianTV.
- Hulu.
- Viki.
WATCHA Play is a paid subscription VOD service in Korea that's built around WATCHA's rating data.
How can I learn Korean movies? ›By watching Korean movies, you can familiarize yourself with Korean phonetics. If you want to focus on learning new vocabulary, watching Korean movies with English subtitles is the way to go. You can pause the movie and write down new words. You can listen for Korean exclamations that are used often in movies and T.V.
Is there any movie of BTS? ›The 85-minute film features live performances, award show highlights, off-stage moments, and interviews with the seven members of BTS. It goes behind-the-scenes of the BTS Wings Tour to reveal the story of the band's rise to fame.
Does BTS have K dramas? ›Youth (Korean: 유스; RR: Yuseu) is an upcoming South Korean television series based on the BTS Universe, starring Seo Ji-hoon, Noh Jong-hyun, Ahn Ji-ho, Seo Young-joo, Kim Yoon-woo, Jung Woo-jin and Jeon Jin-seo.
Which app has all Kdrama? ›Rakuten Viki
Viki has over 1,000 Korean TV series and more than 200 movie titles that you can watch on demand, including originals. And the platform also airs some shows live. Everything on the service is subtitled, often in multiple languages.
Abhishek Gupta, also known as Lucky, is an Indian who lives and performs in South Korea as a television personality and actor.
Did Netflix remove Kdramas? ›Our Favorite K-Dramas are Leaving Netflix in May 2022.
Which app is used in Korea instead of Google? ›Still, some countries are slipping out of its grip. Let's take South Korea, for example. Ask any Korean what search engine they use, and, most likely, the answer will be... Naver.
Can you learn Korean with BTS? ›
How to Learn Korean with BTS. You can use BTS lyrics, songs, and content to help you with studying the language. Within the songs, you can learn useful vocabulary, slang, and expressions. Then when you sing along to the songs in the karaoke, you can speak and listen to the Korean words you've learned.
Can I learn Korean in 3 days? ›It takes three months (90 days) to learn enough Korean to have a 3-minute conversation in Korean if you study for 7-10 hours per week. After one year of studying at this pace, you can become conversationally fluent. However, we will give you some ballpark estimates for how long it takes to learn Korean.
Why is BTS called BTS? ›The septet's name, BTS, stands for the Korean phrase Bangtan Sonyeondan (Korean: 방탄소년단; Hanja: 防彈少年團), which translates literally to "Bulletproof Boy Scouts". According to member J-Hope, the name signifies the group's desire "to block out stereotypes, criticisms, and expectations that aim on adolescents like bullets".
Who controls BTS? ›He struck gold after forming one of K-pop's most lucrative idol groups, BTS.
What is BTS full form? ›BTS, in full Bangtan Sonyeondan (Korean: “Bulletproof Boy Scouts” or “Bangtan Boys”), also called Beyond the Scene, South Korean K-pop (Korean pop music) band that shot to international stardom in the late 2010s.
What is BTS Favourite Kdrama? ›The K-drama Sky Castle is loved by the older members of the band. During an interaction with ARMY, Suga revealed that he had seen the dark comedy thriller Sky Castle. Besides Suga, RM and Jin also loved watching South Korea's second-highest-rated series on cable television.
Which drama has most kissing scene? ›- The package.
- coffee prince.
- jugglers.
- Extraordinary Attorney Woo. Extraordinary Attorney Woo.
- Our Blues. Our Blues.
- Twenty-Five, Twenty-One. Twenty-Five, Twenty-One.
- Love (ft. Marriage and Divorce) 3. ...
- Military Prosecutor Doberman. ...
- Alchemy of Souls. ...
- Thirty Nine. ...
- Ghost Doctor.
In an interview with Rolling Stones, V shared that Quentin Tarentino's Reservoir Dogs is his all-time favorite movie.
Did BTS see Squid Game? ›The ARMY was all for it though, since, after J-Hope's reply, the fan commented that they would let him hit them for free. So it is safe to say that it has been confirmed. J-Hope has actually seen the smashing hit show and seems to be looking for a ddakji partner.
What is Taehyung favorite K-drama? ›
Starring his close friend, actor Park Seo-joon, 'Itaewon Class' follows a group of misfits who dream of opening a street bar. Mot only did he recommend the K-drama, Taehyung's song "Sweet Night" is also part of the OST.
Which app can I watch Korean movies for free? ›Viki is one of the free Korean drama apps, which gives you a tremendous collection of award-winning K-dramas, other Asian TV series, movies, variety shows, streaming of music performances, and more. The best part of this Korean TV app is that you can watch your favorite shows and movies online for FREE, without ads.
Why are all K-dramas 16 episodes? ›In China, shows air more frequently, so you get more episodes. In Japan, they air less frequently, so you get fewer episodes. In Korea, shows air twice a week, so you get 16 episodes.
Which app has the most Korean dramas? ›Viki. Viki is a big name in Korean drama. In fact, you may have already enjoyed it online or via your Roku. You might not know, however, that Viki is also available for Android devices.
Who is lucky in Korea? ›Abhishek Gupta (born 16 June 1978), also known as Lucky, is an Indian who lives and performs in South Korea as a television personality and actor. He was a cast member in the talk-variety show Non-Summit.
Is any Indian K-pop? ›New Delhi: An 18-year-old from Odisha has become the first-ever K-pop artist from India. Sriya Lenka will be joining the South Korean girl group Blackswan, along with Gabriela Dalcin from Brazil. Blackswan's label DR Music announced the addition of new members in an Instagram post.
Does India like K-pop? ›The Indian connection
The genre has since exploded across India. K-pop contests, which began over a decade ago with fewer than 100 participants, now attract thousands of people. Songs on streaming platforms draw millions of Indian listeners.
Can I Watch Netflix in South Korea? If you are an American watching Netflix while living in South Korea, you won't see your American Netflix library. Instead, you'll see all Korean content. To unblock Netflix from another country, you'll have to connect to a VPN.
Is Netflix big in Korea? ›South Korea is now one of Netflix's largest markets in Asia, trailing only Australia and Japan. The company has more than 5 million subscribers in South Korea, according to Media Partners Asia.
Why is Netflix removing K dramas? ›Netflix has removed South Korean movie "Little Women" from its Vietnam roster following Vietnamese authorities' complaints about it falsifying Vietnam War history.
What app do Korean celebrities use? ›
VLive is a popular live streaming application made for Korean stars to share live videos and posts on their channel for their fans.
What apps do Korean students use? ›- Naver Webtoons (네이버 웹툰) Android | IOS. ...
- Naver Dictionary (네이버 사전) Android | IOS. ...
- Memrise. Android | IOS. ...
- 90DayKorean. Android | IOS. ...
- Anki. Android | IOS. ...
- Hellotalk. Android |IOS. ...
- KakaoTalk (카카오 톡) Android | IOS. ...
- MEEF – Make Global Friends. Android | IOS.
Short answer: Yes. WhatsApp is allowed in South Korea, and most of its population uses this app to communicate with friends and family and even with their colleagues.
Who is the first BTS army? ›Rap Monster was the first to join BTS and the only one from the original line up. He said the famous quote, "Jimin, you got no jams." "My name is Rap Monster, not Dance Monster."
What is V in Korean alphabet? ›Actually, there are no F or V sounds in Korean. In fact, there's no difference between P and F or B and V. Therefore, the P and F sounds are both pronounced as ㅍ[pieup] and B and V as ㅂ[bieup].
Is BTS hard train? ›'When we're getting ready for an album, we move all of the schedule for a month and just do this album, and practice. When we have no schedule for one month, it's a big deal. ' They added: 'When we had our debut, we practiced 12-15 hours a day.
Can BTS join military? ›While many fans of the K-pop sensations were hoping the band members would be given special consideration due to their contribution to the South Korean economy and international prestige, the artists will each serve almost two years in the military.
Is BTS strict? ›BigHit is also usually strict with the publications they make on social networks, although they have full freedom to go out and have fun.
Does BTS support army? ›The K-pop superstars of the boy band BTS made headlines around the world Monday when their agency, BigHit Music, announced that all seven members would fulfill their military service in South Korea.
Is Korean easier than Japanese? ›Unlike other East-Asian languages, Korean isn't a tonal language. This means, that the meaning of the word doesn't change, regardless of what your accent is like. This makes learning Korean much easier than Japanese.
How hard is Korean? ›
Despite Korean being fairly early to learn how to read, I'd say Korean is quite hard to learn (a 4/5 in difficulty) — harder to get to fluency for an English speaker than French or German, but easier than Chinese or Arabic.
How can I speak Korean fast? ›- Create a Korean Language Learning Schedule. ...
- Choose the Right Language Learning Method. ...
- Learn Korean Hangul. ...
- Focus on High-Frequency Korean Words. ...
- Use Konglish to Reach Fluency FASTER! ...
- Change How You Use Flashcards. ...
- Buy a Good Korean Textbook. ...
- Practice with a Korean Speaker.
The highest rating ever recorded rating was 28.371 per cent and belongs to the 2020 drama, The World of the Married. Find your next binge right here as we give you a list of 8 highly rated K-dramas including genres like romance, action, and fantasy.
Who is No 1 actor in Korean drama? ›Lee Min Ho
dramas like Boys Over Flowers, City Hunter, and Heirs. His acting career began in 2002 with the television series called 'Romance. ' Since then, he has appeared in several dramas, short plays, and modest film parts.
The Blue Dragon Film Awards and Grand Bell Awards are the most popular film awards in South Korea.
Is there a 100% rated movie? ›To date, Leave No Trace holds the site's record, with a rating of 100% and 251 positive reviews.
What is a 15 rated movie? ›15 rated films, videos and downloads can contain strong material including strong swearing, strong horror and strong violence.
What is BTS favorite K drama? ›The K-drama Sky Castle is loved by the older members of the band. During an interaction with ARMY, Suga revealed that he had seen the dark comedy thriller Sky Castle. Besides Suga, RM and Jin also loved watching South Korea's second-highest-rated series on cable television.
Which Korean drama is trending now 2022? ›Question: Which are the best K-dramas to watch in 2022? Answer: 'Business Proposal,' 'Forecasting Love And Weather,' ' Ghost Doctor,' 'Twenty Five, TwentyOne,' 'Juvenile Justice,' 'Grid,' and 'All Of Us Are Dead' are some of the best K-dramas that you must watch in 2022.
Who is the cutest Korean actor? ›- Ji Chang Wook.
- Hyun Bin.
- Kim Hyun Joong.
- Seo In Guk.
- Lee Seung Gi.
- Lee Min Ho.
- Park Hae Jin.
- Jang Hyuk.
Who is the best actor in Korea Girl? ›
- Song Hye Kyo. Song Hye Kyo is a phenomenal top Korean actress. ...
- Jun Ji Hyun. Jun Ji Hyun was born on October 30, 1981, 40 years old. ...
- Park Shin Hye. Park Shin Hye was born on February 18, 1990, and is age 32 years old now. ...
- Son Ye Jin. ...
- Ha Ji Won. ...
- Song Ji Hyo. ...
- Lee Ji Eun. ...
- Kim Yoo Jung.
Hyun Bin (현빈)
Hyun Bin (현빈) is the first on the list of most handsome Korean actors 2022. He was born on 25th September 1982 in Seoul.
...
List of awards and nominations received by BTS.
Awards and nominations | ||
---|---|---|
American Music Awards | 9 | 11 |
Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian | 1 | 1 |
APAN Music Awards | 3 | 8 |
Asia Artist Awards | 12 | 17 |
BTS has received many awards and honors, including 33 Mnet Asian Music Awards, 29 Melon Music Awards, 20 Golden Disc Awards, 20 Seoul Music Awards, 6 Korean Music Awards, 19 Gaon Chart Music Awards, 5 Billboard Music Awards, 6 American Music Awards, and 6 MTV Video Music Awards.
Which film won more than 9 Oscars? ›Ben-Hur won with: Best Picture; Best Director; Best Actor; Best Supporting Actor; Cinematography; Art Direction; Sound; Music Score; Film Editing; Special Effects; Costume and loosing out to Room at the Top for Screenplay based on material from another medium.