While many started to notice Korean movies after the global and record-breaking success of the Academy-winning movie, Parasite, Korean movies have offered some of the best thrillers over time.
Ask any movie buff; he or she would easily agree that when it comes to thrillers, Korean movies have a different standard.
If you think that Parasite began the era of Korean movies or shows, you are wrong! Korean films have an intricate and rich history, which started from the 1919 movie, The Righteous Revenge to the Oscars-dominating movie Parasite.
Korean films were stifled by many years of censorship during the era of dictators and colonizers. In the 1980s, the Gwangju Uprising freed the Korean film industry and allowed Korean cinemas to flourish.
The Korean film industry drew attention for the first time in the year 1987 when Korean actress Kang Soo-yeaon won the Venice Film Festival award for Best Actress!
In the 2000s, many directors came forward and were recognized by global audiences. Korean film directors like Park Chan-wook and Lee Chang-dong started to win multiple western movie awards.
One of my favorites, Old Boy, was directed by Park Chan-wook was at the Cannes Film Festival in 2004.
Another legendary director of our time, Kim Ki-Duk, won the Venice Film Festival. Kim Ki-Duk was the first Korean movie director to win the award.
In 2018, Lee Chang-dong won big at the Cannes Film Festival for his acclaimed film, Burning.
After Parasite, Minari grabbed headlines as it won multiple awards at BAFTAs, Golden Globes, and Sundance Film Festival.
Today, the entire world recognizes Korean movies and shows. People across ages are now interested in their music and dramas, or as they call them, K-dramas.
In this post, we would share some of the hidden gems of the Korean film industry. Here are a few handpicked Korean thrillers (spoilers-free) that you must watch.
Joint Security Area
Joint Security Area is a commercially as well as critically acclaimed cinema that won several awards, both in Korea and abroad.
The movie stars Song Kang-ho (Parasite) and Lee Byung-hun (Storm Shadow, G.I.Joe). Song Kang-ho played the role of a North Korean soldier, and Lee Byung-hun played a South Korea Soldier.
Joint Security Area is directed by Park Chan-wook (Old Boy).
Memories of Murder
Many critics believed that Memories of Murder is one of the best mystery-thrillers in Korean film history.
Memories of Murder is directed by Bong Joon-ho (Parasite) and is based on a true story.
The story revolves around a small-town detective trying to solve a serial murder and rape case.
The Chaser
The Chaser is a bone-chilling fast-paced murder mystery. The story involves an ex-cop chasing a serial killer. Na Hong-jin is the director of this edge-of-the-seat cinema.
The Chaser was Na Hong-jin's first feature film, and he over-delivers!
I Saw the Devil
I Saw the Devil is a movie that deserves to be on the list of best thrillers ever! The movie beautifully engages the audience in the cat-mouse chase of an officer and a serial killer.
The scenes are intense, and the ambiance it creates is unparalleled.
I Saw the Devil is directed by Kim Jee-woon and is a must-watch for every thriller fan.
Forgotten
The movie revolves around a once-perfect family of 2 brothers and their parents. One day one of the brothers is kidnapped and is returned after 19 years. The story takes unpredictable twists and turns as secrets start coming out.
Forgotten is directed by Jang Hang-jun and promises to keep its audience on the edge of their seats.
These are our top 5 thriller gems of the Korean film industry. If you are planning to start watching Korean movies, thrillers specifically, this is a great list, to begin with.
Tell us what you think about the article and share your favorite Korean thrillers in the comments.
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