8 Highest-Grossing Korean Films of All Time That You Must Watch

Kapanlagi.com - The South Korean film industry is indeed known for producing a number of cinematic works that not only captivate local audiences but also attract international attention. From emotional dramas to thrilling action, these films have managed to break box office records and gain global recognition.

Recently, the latest Korean film EXHUMA has successfully captured the attention of film enthusiasts with its horror storyline that incorporates increasingly exciting traditional Korean elements. In fact, this film has also broken the record for the fastest number of viewers in several countries such as Indonesia and Vietnam.

Curious about what films those are? Check out the list here, come on!

1. The Admiral: Roaring Currents

The first film that premiered in 2014 titled The Admiral: Roaring Currents still holds the top spot as the most watched local Korean film to date. The number of viewers from its home country reached over 17 million.

2. Extreme Job

Extreme Job, starring Ryu Seung Ryong, is the second highest-grossing Korean film of all time. This action-comedy film ranks second as the highest-grossing film in Korea with a total of over 16 million tickets sold in South Korea.

3. Parasite

Who doesn’t know the film Parasite? Directed by the famous director Bong Joon Ho, this film tackles the theme of social inequality with a thriller genre, and it sparked a lot of discussions throughout 2019. The popularity of Parasite even reached a global scale, successfully attracting over 10 million viewers.

As a result, the film Parasite won the Oscar award for Best Picture. This made Parasite the first non-English language Asian film to win an Oscar.

4. Miracle in Cell No.7

Miracle in Cell No. 7 has become one of the highest-grossing films of all time, released in 2013. This film tells the story of a disabled father who becomes a victim of false accusations in a murder case and is sentenced to death. The journey of the father and his daughter, who spend time in a prison cell with other inmates, has made more than 12 million viewers shed tears.

Not only that, this film directed by Lee Hwan Kyung has also been remade in various countries such as Turkey, India, and Indonesia, making it one of the best Korean films of all time.

5. Along with the Gods: Two Worlds

Along with the Gods, starring actor Joo Ji Hoon, is the next highest-grossing Korean film. Released in 2017, this film tells the story of a firefighter who dies and whose soul is guided by three grim reapers to help him with reincarnation. It has attracted the attention of many film lovers due to its unique storyline and stunning CGI.

This film reached over 14 million viewers in South Korean cinemas. Moreover, it has also been widely discussed among international audiences.

6. Train to Busan

The film starring top actor Gong Yoo is listed as one of the highest-grossing Korean films of all time. Featuring a survival theme against a zombie virus, the film Train to Busan gained extraordinary popularity both domestically and internationally. This film has been watched by more than 11 million people and is considered one of the best horror films in Korea.

7. The Roundup

The Roundup, released in 2022 as a sequel to the previous film titled The Outlaws (2017), has become the highest-grossing Korean film in history. Starring the famous actor Ma Dong Seok, this action-mystery genre film successfully captivated audiences with its thrilling storyline.

8. EXHUMA

The film that has recently been widely discussed, EXHUMA starring Kim Go Eun, Lee Do Hyun, and Choi Min Sik has become the most popular Korean film of 2024. In fact, this film is touted to be the best Korean film of all time as it has been watched by over 10 million people.

(kpl/dpv)