Looking for Sad Films? Check out 15 Recommendations for the Saddest Korean Films Below - Guaranteed to Make You Cry

Kapanlagi.com - Written by Anastasia Ginting

Watching movies is one of the activities that can be done to eliminate fatigue and stress. Now, with the proliferation of various genres of films, prospective viewers can choose which genre of film they want to watch according to their mood. It is not uncommon for viewers to have various impressions and effects after watching a film, such as a melancholic impression when watching a melodramatic film, a feeling of nausea and discomfort after watching a horror film, and so on.

Therefore, this time we will recommend 8 films that contain onions. Suitable for KLovers who want to relieve stress by watching sad films.

1. Miracle in Cell no. 7

Poster Miracle in Cell no. 7 (Credit photo: Asian Wiki)

The first film that contains a lot of onions is 'MIRACLE IN CELL NO.7'. This film, released in 2013, is still one of the films that is frequently discussed because it has a heartbreaking storyline.

This film tells the story of a single father who has a mentally abnormal background. He can work, he can speak, but not as smoothly as a normal person in general. Despite that, he loves his child very much and dreams a lot about his child's future.

However, a disaster strikes when he is out shopping and sees a little child wearing his child's favorite bag, which is a sailor moon bag. When he follows the child, suddenly the child faints. Immediately, he performs first aid by performing CPR, but an old lady who sees it assumes that he has molested and killed the child.

2. My 11th Mother

Poster My 11th Mother (Photo credit: Asian Wiki)

Next is a film by senior actress named Kim Hye Soo titled 'MY 11th MOTHER'. This film tells the story of a child named Jae Soo who lives with his father who has a drinking habit and commits violence.

One day, his father brings a woman to his house. The woman looks messy, rude, and doesn't like to talk. Even several times she gets angry and suddenly scolds Jae Soo, the woman doesn't do anything except eat and lie down. However, one day Jae Soo, who likes to collect food coupons, brings the food he bought to his house. The woman who has been sleeping all the time becomes curious about Jae Soo's food coupons and from there her closeness to Jae Soo begins.

This film brings the emotions of the audience from feeling empathy for Jae Soo to becoming a hope for the woman who slowly learns to love Jae Soo as her own mother.

3. Wedding Dress

Poster Wedding Dress (Photo credit: Asian Wiki)

Next is 'WEDDING DRESS', this film is not much different from the previous film which is set in a family background. It tells the story of a widow named Ko Won who lives with her daughter named So Ra. To support her life and her child, she works as a wedding dress tailor.

However, her life feels like it's struck by lightning after she hears that she doesn't have much time left to live because she has stage four cancer. Ko Won, who has not been very close to So Ra due to her busy life as a designer and tailor, slowly starts to spend time with her child. Although the attempts are quite difficult and awkward, So Ra slowly starts to get closer to her mother.

4. Pawn

Poster Pawn (Credit photo: Asian Wiki)

Next there is a movie called 'PAWN' starring Sung Dong Il, Ha Ji Won, Park So Yi, and Kim Hee Won. This film tells the story of two loan sharks named Jong Bae and Doo Sook. They have the task of visiting people who borrow from their boss and are not reluctant to use violence against those who refuse to pay.

But one day they visit a woman named Myung Ja, a mother of one child who is a defector from North Korea. Because they are trapped in all conditions, Doo Sok finally forces to bring Myung Ja's child named Seung Yi as collateral.

However, love suddenly grows in the hearts of Doo Sok and Jong Bae, they finally find money to pay off Myung Ja's debt to their boss in order to release Seung Yi from that guarantee. The two of them take care of Seung Yi from childhood to college. But this story becomes sadder because it turns out that Doo Sok has a disease that makes him disappear for 10 years.

5. A Long Visit

Poster A Long Visit (Photo credit: Asian Wiki)

Then there is the movie 'A LONG VISIT' starring Kim Hae Sook and Park Jin Hee. This film tells the story of a small, not wealthy family in a village. This family has two children, an eldest daughter named Ji Suk and a youngest son.

The father of this family works as an intercity bus driver, but he has a disability in his leg which causes him to be constantly ridiculed by the people around him and afraid to ride his own bus. This makes the father always feel angry and disappointed, but his wife and children always become victims of his violence and anger.

Finally, Ji Suk grows up and moves to Seoul, the mother is very proud of Ji Suk's achievements because she is able to study in Seoul. However, this family faces several problems such as Ji Suk having difficulty getting approval to marry the prospective son-in-law because the prospective son-in-law comes from a wealthy family while Ji Suk comes from a poor family.

But the conflict of this story arises when Ji Suk finds out that her mother is suffering from pancreatic cancer. This causes her to return home and accompany her mother in her old age.

6. Always

Poster Always (Photo credit: Asian Wiki)

Then there is the movie 'ALWAYS' starring So Ji Sub and Han Hyo Joo. It tells the story of Jung Hwa, a beautiful girl who is visually impaired. Despite having a disability, this does not hinder Jung Hwa from working and carrying out activities like a normal person. She has a habit of going to an apartment parking booth to watch her favorite drama with the security guard grandfather.

At that time, the usual security guard was replaced by Cheol Min, who is a part-time worker. Although aware that it is not the usual grandfather at the booth, Jung Hwa still enters the booth and enjoys her favorite drama. She continues to do this several times until Cheol Min realizes that the woman in front of him is visually impaired.

Finally, their closeness starts to grow, and they agree to be in a romantic relationship. Until one day, Jung Hwa is called by a doctor and is told that there is a donor willing to give her eyes. Before the donor surgery begins, that is the last time she meets Cheol Min.

7. The Man From Nowhere

Poster The Man From Nowhere (Credit photo: Asian Wiki)

Then there is 'THE MAN FROM NOWHERE' starring Won Bin and Kim Sae Ron. It tells the story of a character named So Mi, a little girl who lives with her poor mother. Her mother has extraordinary courage and determination to make money. However, one day, there is something her mother should not have done, which is stealing illegal drugs in a mafia club.

Eventually, the mafia members search for So Mi and her mother to retrieve the stolen drugs. This commotion disrupts the life of a former intelligence officer named Tae Sik. He eavesdrops and sees the lifeless body of So Mi's mother.

Finally, he plans to find and help So Mi, although he is repeatedly endangered by the mafia. Until one day, he sees that So Mi is forced to engage in illegal activities, such as packaging methamphetamine and marijuana in a secret base of the mafia along with other children.

8. A Moment to Remember

Poster A Moment to Remember (Credit foto : Asian Wiki)

Finally, there is a film starring Son Yea Jin and Jung Woo Suk titled 'A MOMENT TO REMEMBER'. As the title suggests, this film is certainly related to memories. It tells the story of Su Jin, a girl who turns out to have a deadly disease called Alzheimer's, a disease that makes its sufferers forget everything, including themselves.

Her disease is discovered after she marries her friend named Cheol Su. The disease becomes apparent when Su Jin starts forgetting small things like the way home, turning off the stove, and many other small incidents that make her suddenly forgetful. Su Jin initially hides her illness from Cheol Su because she doesn't want her husband to be burdened by her disease. However, at some point, Cheol Su starts feeling strange about his wife's memory and gives her many memos to help her remember anything.

9. HOPE (2013)

Poster HOPE (credit: imdb.com)

The next sad Korean film recommendation is HOPE. This Korean film is based on a real case that occurred in 2008. The case involved a young child who experienced a heartbreaking incident as a victim of sexual assault. The synopsis of HOPE tells the story of a young child named So Won. He is known as a cheerful person.

However, a tragic event occurred when So Won was about to go to school. He became a victim of sexual assault by an unknown man. This situation left a deep trauma for So Won. In fact, So Won often feels afraid of meeting men, including her father. Besides experiencing trauma, So Won is also severely injured. This incident not only shook So-won's life, but also her parents'.

10. BIRTHDAY (2019)

Poster BIRTHDAY (credit: imdb.com)

The next sad Korean film recommendation is BIRTHDAY. This Korean film is based on the tragedy of the sinking of the Sewol ferry in 2014. The synopsis of BIRTHDAY highlights the story of the Kim Jung Il and Soon Nam family who lost their son in the tragedy.

Deep grief is still felt by both of them even after years have passed. Every year on their late son's birthday, the family of Soon Nam and Jung Il experiences deep sorrow. Birthday celebrations are always held for their son. Along with that, this family struggles to find a way to move on after losing their child.

11. STAND BY ME (2018)

Poster STAND BY ME (credit: imdb.com)

STAND BY ME is included in the list of recommended sad Korean films that shouldn't be missed. Especially for fans of family genre films, STAND BY ME is a must-watch. The synopsis of STAND BY ME tells the story of a middle-aged man who takes care of his two beloved grandchildren.

The grandfather knows that his life is not long anymore. However, his two young grandchildren make him worried. That's when the grandfather starts looking for his daughter-in-law, the mother of the two beloved grandchildren. His daughter-in-law is not Korean. At that time, the relationship with his son-in-law was strained. On his grandchild's birthday, the grandfather tries to give the best gift.

12. MY ANNOYING BROTHER (2016)

Poster MY ANNOYING BROTHER (credit: imdb.com)

If you're interested in watching a Korean film about siblings, MY ANNOYING BROTHER is a must-watch. This sad Korean film recommendation highlights the story of siblings that will touch your heart. Doo Young is a successful judo athlete. Unfortunately, an accident causes him to lose his vision.

At that time, his only guardian is his older brother, Doo Sik. Initially, their relationship is filled with discomfort and arguments. However, the situation changes when they discover the meaning of having a sibling. Until one day, Doo Sik learns that he is seriously ill. In his remaining time, he teaches his younger brother to do things on his own.

13. 20TH CENTURY GIRL (2022)

Poster 20TH CENTURY GIRL (credit: imdb.com)

20TH CENTURY GIRL becomes a sad Korean film recommendation with a heartwarming romance story. Set in the year 1999, 20TH CENTURY GIRL highlights the teenage romance of Na Bo Ra and Poong Woon Ho. Their love story begins when Bo Ra is asked by her friend to observe Hyun Jin.

Hyun Jin is liked by Bo Ra's friend. Meanwhile, Woon Ho becomes a close friend of Hyun Jin. To gather information, Bo Ra often communicates with Woon Ho, and their relationship grows closer. However, it turns out that the friend she sacrifices her feelings for is Woon Ho. Before their love story can even begin, an unimaginable separation occurs.

14. SUNNY (2011)

Poster SUNNY (credit: imdb.com)

The next sad Korean film recommendation is SUNNY. This Korean film is quite popular and has been remade in several countries. The synopsis of SUNNY tells a touching story of friendship. The story has a back-and-forth timeline between the present and Im Na Mi's high school days with her friends.

Im Na Mi's friendship with her school friends is called Sunny. One day, Chun Hwa's chronic illness makes her want to reunite with her separated friends. Na Mi then tries to fulfill Chun Hwa's last wish to meet one last time before she passes away.

15. UNFORGETTABLE (2016)

Poster UNFORGETTABLE (credit: imdb.com)

UNFORGETTABLE becomes the next must-watch Korean sad film. Especially for fans of stories about teenagers, friendship, and love, UNFORGETTABLE can be a reference. The synopsis of UNFORGETTABLE tells the story of unforgettable memories of friendship in adolescence.

Those memories resurface after a song and a letter are read on one of the radios. In the past, Soo Ok had good friends in her hometown, including Beom Shil. However, her limitations made her different from her friends. Soo Ok cannot walk normally like her other friends.

This is what makes her not go to the same school as her friends. Beom Sil has fallen in love with Soo Ok. He tries hard to make every day memorable and enjoyable, especially when they return to the village that Soo Ok always looks forward to. Unfortunately, conflicts arise to complement their fluctuating friendship.

Those are the recommendations for sad Korean films that shouldn't be missed. Enjoy watching, KLovers.

(kpl/nas)