By now you've probably watched — or at least heard of — Parasite, the Korean film that recently made history with its four-time win at the 2020 Academy Awards (including a win for Best Picture!). But even beyond this highly-acclaimed 2019 movie, there's no doubt that South Korean cinema has long established itself as a fantastic contender in filmmaking, steadily drawing an expanding global audience with its many highly-rated flicks that range from stirring drama films to mind-bending thriller and action movies. Luckily, if you're looking for more great films to watch after Parasite, we've rounded up some of the best Korean movies you can watch to delve deeper into the truly amazing world of Korean cinema.
These remarkable films span a variety of different genres, and include more must-watch masterpieces from Parasite's director Bong Joon Ho as well as critically-acclaimed flicks from other prominent Korean directors. But whether you're in the mood for a poignant, tear-jerking watch or an exciting thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat, there's plenty on this list for anyone to enjoy, including dramas, comedies, horror films — and yes — even zombie movies. From tales of revenge and love to compelling stories that truly make you think, here is just a sampling of what Korean cinema has to offer.
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1Parasite (2019)
CJ Entertainment
There's a reason why this black comedy thriller has earned so much international acclaim and has even become the first-ever foreign-language movie to win Best Picture. With an engrossing and genre-bending plot, Parasite captivates with suspenseful storytelling all throughout the film — and delivers a truly intriguing take on the powerful themes of class, violence and social inequality.
Another must-watch Korean thriller film, Train to Busan presents a fresh and original take on one of the most classic film genres — the zombie apocalypse flick — as it follows a man fighting for survival on a speeding train that's overtaken by a zombie outbreak. Prepare to be on the edge of your seat the entire time while watching this one!
Based on the short story Barn Burning by Japanese author Haruki Murakami, this critically-acclaimed psychological mystery drama from famous Korean director Lee Chang-dong tells the quietly haunting story of a young man who faces a mysterious secret after his childhood friend returns from a trip — but brings along a man with a strange hobby (played by the The Walking Dead's Steven Yeun).
If you loved Parasite, The Host is another masterpiece from director Bong Joon Ho that you'll definitely need to watch (especially as it also stars Parasite's leading man Song Kang-ho). This thrilling flick presents a truly gripping storyline — featuring a terrifying sea creature — to deliver what's widely considered one of the greatest monster movies to date.
What happens when a team of narcotics detectives goes undercover in a fried chicken joint to stake out an organized crime gang? That's exactly the quirky premise of this recent cop comedy hit, which delights audiences with the perfect balance of exciting action together with feel-good comedy.
Perhaps one of the most well-known Korean films of all time, this dark and visceral vengeance movie from Park Chan-wook — one of Korea's most highly-acclaimed directors — follows a man who sets out on a revenge mission after inexplicably being imprisoned for 15 years. Warning: This one's definitely not for the faint-of-heart!
Another masterful film from director Park Chan-wook is this erotic psychological thriller film inspired by the 2002 novel Fingersmithby Sarah Waters. Set in 1930's colonial Korea and Japan, the film follows the riveting story of a Japanese heiress and her Korean handmaiden — who's actually involved in an elaborate plot with a con-man to seduce the wealthy woman from her inheritance.
Parasite's Song Kang-ho stars in yet another great and critically-acclaimed film, this time about a cab driver from Seoul who unintentionally becomes involved in the Gwangju Uprising, a historical event that took place in South Korea in 1980. (Plus, it's based on a real-life true story, which makes it an even more compelling watch.)
For those who can't resist an intense psychological thriller, Forgotten is a must-watch that follows a young man trying to uncover the truth behind the sudden return of his abducted brother. The film delivers edge-of-your-seat mystery together with suspenseful horror moments — and truly some mind-bending plot twists you'll never see coming.
Korean cinema may usually be known for its harrowing thrillers, but this charming rom-com cult film is proof that Korean films have plenty to offer in light-hearted genres, too. With a delightful love story about a college student who meets a trouble-making girl, it's easy to see why this gem became such a widely-successful blockbuster hit.
For fans of melancholic and emotionally stirring films, Lee Chang-dong's Poetry delivers a poignant story about an elderly woman who takes up a poetry class after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.Family, memory, and mortality are all themes that this movie explores beautifully (which means you'll definitely want to grab a box of tissues for this one).
This adventure-drama Netflix film (which features both Korean and English) about a young girl and her giant mutant pig is another gem from Bong Joon Ho — and even has a star cast that includes American actors like Tilda Swinton and Jake Gyllenhaal. Centered around a Korean girl determined to save her beloved pet from being taken away by a powerful corporation, Okja is equal parts a whimsical fable and a dark, compelling satire.
You can't fully explore Korean cinema without delving into their truly fantastic horror films — especially with this highly visceral and shockingly violent horror-thriller flick from 2010, which follows a secret agent who sets out to find a psychopathic serial killer after his wife is brutally murdered. You probably won't want to watch this one at night!
From the same director who brought Burning and Poetry to the screen (Lee Chang-dong), Secret Sunshine delivers a quietly riveting and heart-wrenching drama about a widowed mother who undergoes a tragedy after moving to a new town. Parasite's Song Kang-ho also stars in this tearjerker film, which explores grief, faith, and personal loss.
If you still can't enough of Bong Joon Ho's movies, Mother sees the notable director tackling the murder mystery genre for a fascinating and riveting thriller film about a mother who, after her intellectually disabled son is accused of murder, attempts to track down the real killer in order to clear her son's name.
Hannah JeonEditorial FellowHannah is an editorial fellow at Good Housekeeping, where she loves to cover home, health, entertainment, and other lifestyle content.
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