7 Most Popular Korean Films You Must Watch at Least Once

Kapanlagi.com - Written by: Siska Dewanti

Hello KLovers, Korean drama fans! Are you bored of watching dramas every day? Or are you tired of waiting for your ongoing Korean dramas to update? If so, it means you need Korean film recommendations to fill your boredom.

The presence of Korean films in the international scene has significantly increased. Films like PARASITE, which won the Academy Award, or TRAIN TO BUSAN, which shook the world, have positioned Korea as one of the key players in the international film industry.

Here are the most popular Korean films that you must watch!

1. TRAIN TO BUSAN (2016)

(mydramalist.com)

• Rating : 8.9/10 (80.475 users) MDL
• Durasi : 1 hour 58 minutes
• Genre : Action, Thriller, Horror
• Platform : Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, Prime Video
• Pemeran : Gong Yoo, Jung Yu Mi, Ma Dong Seok, Kim Soo An, Kim Eui Sung, Choi Woo Shik

TRAIN TO BUSAN is a Korean film released in 2016 and tells the story of a group of train passengers struggling to survive as a zombie outbreak spreads in South Korea.

This Korean film tells the story of a father and daughter who are traveling to Busan, but they are trapped on a train haunted by zombies. During their journey, they encounter various other characters who are trying to survive. This film not only offers intense action scenes, but also incorporates messages of loyalty and sacrifice.

2. PARASITE (2019)

(mydramalist.com)

• Rating : 8.9/10 (74,179 users) MDL
• Duration : 2 hours 11 minutes
• Genre : Thriller, Comedy, Drama
• Platform : Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar
• Cast : Song Kang Ho, Lee Sun Kyun, Cho Yeo Jung, Choi Woo Shik, Park So Dam, Jang Hye Jin

PARASITE is a Korean film released in 2019 and directed by Bong Joon Ho. This film tells the story of two families living on opposite ends of the social spectrum. The Ki Taek family, who are poor, live in a basement in Seoul. Meanwhile, the wealthy Park family live in a luxurious house in an elite area.

The Ki Taek family sees an opportunity when their daughter, Ki Jung, gets a job as a tutor for the Park family's daughter. Using various manipulations and tricks, the members of the Ki Taek family start infiltrating the Park family's life in unexpected ways.

PARASITE has won various international awards, including the Palme d'Or at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, making it the first Korean film to win the award. The film also won 4 out of 6 nominations at the 2020 Academy Awards.

3. A WEREWOLF BOY (2012)

(mydramalist.com)

• Rating : 8.6/10 (56,967 users) MDL
• Duration : 2 hours 5 minutes
• Genre : Romance, Drama, Supernatural
• Platform : Netflix
• Cast : Song Jong Ki, Park Bo Young, Lee Young Ran, Jang Young Nam, Yoo Yeon Seok, Kim Hyang Gi

A WEREWOLF BOY is a Korean film released in 2012 and directed by Jo Sung-hee. This film is a mixture of romantic and fantasy genres with horror and historical background elements.

This film tells the story of a teenage girl named Sun-yi who moves to a rural house with her family to escape from the busy life in the big city. In their new home, Sun-yi discovers an isolated young man who turns out to be a werewolf. The man gradually starts to interact with Sun-yi and her family. The relationship between Sun-yi and the werewolf grows into something more than just friendship.

4. MIRACLE IN CELL NO. 7 (2013)

(mydramalist.com)

• Rating : 9.1/10 (23,270 users) MDL
• Duration : 2 hours 7 minutes
• Genre : Comedy, Drama
• Platform : Netflix, Prime Video
• Cast : Ryu Seung Ryong, Gal So Won, Oh Dal Soo, Park Won Sang, Kim Jung Tae, Jung Man Shik

MIRACLE IN CELL NO. 7 is a Korean film released in 2013 and directed by Lee Hwan Kyung. This film tells the story of the relationship between a father with special needs and his young daughter.

The story revolves around Yong Gu, a man with special needs who is wrongly accused of a crime. He is imprisoned and sentenced to death. In prison, Yong Gu forms a close relationship with fellow inmates in cell number 7, who ultimately help him seek justice and fight for custody of his daughter.

This Korean film is known for its ability to evoke emotions in viewers with a heartwarming and emotional story. For KLovers who want to watch a Korean film with their family, this film is highly recommended.

5. MIDNIGHT RUNNERS (2017)

(mydramalist.com)

• Rating : 8.7/10 (25,836 users) MDL
• Duration : 1 hour 49 minutes
• Genre : Action, Mystery, Comedy, Crime
• Platform : Netflix, iQIYI, Prime Video
• Starring : Park Seo Joon, Kang Ha Neul, Sung Dong Il, Park Ha Sun, Lee Ho Jung, Go Jun

MIDNIGHT RUNNERS is an action-comedy film released in 2017 and directed by Jason Kim (Kim Ju Hwan). This Korean film tells the story of two police students who struggle to uncover a kidnapping case that occurs around their campus.

The two police students, Ki-joon (Park Seo Joon) and Hee Yeol (Kang Ha Neul), accidentally become witnesses to a kidnapping when they return late at night after drinking. Although they are not the most obedient students, they decide to investigate the case themselves when the official police fail to take the necessary action. They use their skills and intelligence to find the kidnappers' trail and save the next victims.

This Korean film has received praise for its exciting storyline, intense action, and strong chemistry between the two main actors. It became one of the popular Korean films in 2017 and a favorite among audiences who enjoy the action-comedy genre.

6. 20TH CENTURY GIRL (2022)

(mydramalist.com)

• Rating : 8.6/10 (30,168 users) MDL
• Duration : 1 hour 59 minutes
• Genre : Romance, Youth, Melodrama
• Platform : Netflix
• Cast : Kim You Jung, Byeon Woo Seok, Park Jung Woo, Roh Yoon Seo, Kim Sung Kyung, Jung Suk Yong

20TH CENTURY GIRL is a Korean romance film directed by Bang Woo Ri. This film tells the story of friendship between high school students and first love.

Starting with the backdrop of 1999, it tells the story of a teenager named Bo Ra who is a bright and positive high school student. She is skilled in taekwondo and is also a member of the broadcasting club at her school. Bo Ra has a good friend named Yeon Du.

One day, Yeon Du develops a crush on her friend named Hyun Jin, but he has to go to America for a heart surgery. Therefore, she asks Bo Ra to spy on Hyun Jin while he undergoes the operation. Bo Ra agrees to Yeon Du's request to spy on Hyun Jin.

This Korean film is perfect for those who need a recommendation for a slightly sad atmosphere. 20TH CENTURY GIRL will definitely leave a failed move on impression on its viewers.

7. THE BEAUTY INSIDE (2015)

(mydramalist.com)

• Rating : 8.3/10 (22,678 users) MDL
• Duration : 2 hours 7 minutes
• Genre : Romance, Drama, Melodrama, Supernatural
• Platform : iQIYI, Prime Video
• Cast : Han Hyo Joo, Kim Dae Myung, Lee Hyun Woo, Hong Da Mi, Bae Sung Woo, Yoo Yeon Seok

THE BEAUTY INSIDE is a South Korean film directed by Baek Jong-yul and executive produced by Yong Film. This film is an adaptation of an American short film with the same title, released in 2012.

This Korean film tells the love story between a man who wakes up with a different body every day and a woman who tries to understand and accept his unique condition.

In this film, the main character, Woo Jin, is played by various different actors and actresses. Meanwhile, Han Hyo Joo plays the role of Soo, a woman who falls in love with Woo Jin.

So, those are the most popular Korean film recommendations that you must watch when you're bored.

(kpl/ska)