Gangnam B-Side tops Disney+ charts, The Fiery Priest 2 premieres with double-digit ratings
With only halfway through 2023, Korean cinema has given us so many movies, some winning international accolades, others making noise at the box office. Be it advancement in CGI or giving an immersive experience through realistic movie props, Korean cinema continues to push boundaries, delivering better cinematic experiences than ever before.
From stunt-studded actioners to thought-provoking movies, here are some of the best Korean movies of 2023, so far, in no particular order.
Note: The following movies may not be available on the mentioned OTT platforms in some countries.
A sequel to The Roundup, The Roundup: No Way Out is a crime thriller centered around monster detective Ma Suk Do (Ma Dong Seok) sweeping up drug criminals in Incheon. Lee Joon Hyuk and the Japanese actor Aoki Munetaka come as antagonists, fueling excitement.
Action, humor, and suspense - The Roundup: No Way Out ticks all the boxes of a box-office hit. With $78.3 million gross (Korean Film Council), the movie stands as the highest-grossing Korean film of 2023 so far.
The Roundup: No Way Out is currently not streaming on OTT platforms.
2. Smugglers
The story takes place in the 1970s in a serene coastal village on Jeju Island. Haenyeo (women divers who collect abalone, conches, and other oceanic commodities for a living) of this village face a threat to their livelihood after a chemical factory nestles in.
Looking for alternative sources of income, two women, Chun Ja (Kim Hye Soo) and Jin Suk (Yeom Jung Ah), get caught up in the smuggling business, collecting illegal shipments from the sea.
Smugglers boast a unique plot, strong female leads, high-octane action, and rib-tickling comedy. Moreover, with Ryu Seung Wan (famous for his work in The Berlin File, Veteran, and Escape from Mogadishu) taking the director's chair, you can rest assured when it comes to the creative and dramatic aspects of the movie.
Smugglers is currently not streaming on OTT platforms.
Released on August 9th, Concrete Utopia is a disaster drama film that tells the story of survivors gathering at the Hwang Goong Apartments in Seoul after a massive earthquake turned the city into ruins.
Young Tak (Lee Byung Hun) is the resident representative of Hwang Goong Apartments, and Min Sung (Park Seo Joon) and Myung Hwa (Park Bo Young) are a couple.
The K-movie depicts the experiences of individuals in the Hwang Goong Apartment, each fighting for their survival in the earthquake-stricken city. The uniqueness of the film lies in its exploration of complex human nature and the extreme choices one can make in harsh situations, offering a refreshing take on disaster movies.
Concrete Utopia is currently not streaming on OTT platforms.
4. Next Sohee
Loosely inspired by true events, Next Sohee delves into the story of a high school student named So Hee (Kim Shi Eun), who dies following her field training at a call center. In her quest for the truth, a dedicated female detective named Yoo Jin (Bae Doo Na) undertakes an investigation that leads her to startling revelations.
Next Sohee unfolds in two parts. The first part unveils So Hee's journey, her challenges within the call center, and the sorrow-filled incident of her death. Subsequently, the story shifts to Detective Yoo Jin, as she delves deep into the circumstances surrounding So Hee's demise, unraveling the layers of the mystery.
It would be no surprise if you find yourself emotionally moved after watching Next Sohee because the actors themselves were deeply affected. A slow-burning plot, moving performances, and a blunt portrayal of the harsh realities of Korean youth - Next Sohee is guaranteed to keep you invested.
Next Sohee is currently not streaming on OTT platforms.
Amidst a simmering international conflict, a group of evangelists from a South Korean Presbyterian church comes to Afghanistan, against governmental protocols, aiming to bring Christianity to the Afghan populace. Unfortunately, this results in their abduction by the Afghani terrorist group Taliban, which then presents a series of demands in exchange for the hostages' release.
The Korean government dispatches a duo comprising a seasoned NIS agent, Park Dae Sik (Hyun Bin), and a skilled diplomat, Jung Jae Ho (Hwang Jung Min), to negotiate.
Casting veteran actors Hwang Jung Min, Hyun Bin, and Kang Ki Young, The Point Men draws inspiration from the real-life events of the 2007 hostage crisis involving South Korean Christian missionaries in the Middle East. Apart from the fabulous sets, scenic locations, and the actors' dedication; the film was lauded by global viewers for keeping the story grounded in reality, and not twisting major facts for dramatic effects.
Watch The Point Men on Netflix and Viki.
6. Ransomed
Min Joon (Ha Jung Woo) is a diplomat stationed in the Middle East Division for five years. After receiving a distress signal from a diplomat gone missing in Lebanon for 20 months, he sets out on a perilous unofficial operation to rescue him, driven by the goal of securing a promotion to the United States.
But, his endeavor seems more challenging than expected. When things don't go as planned, he teams up with Pan Su (Joo Ji Hoon), a Korean taxi driver and a con artist, to complete his mission safe and sound.
Inspired by the true events of a missing Korean diplomat in 1987, Ransomed impresses with its light-hearted humor, well-shot car chases, and the excellent chemistry between a bickering duo compelled to work together in nerve-racking circumstances.
Ransomed is currently not streaming on OTT platforms.
7. The Childe
After his Filipino mother falls ill, the aspiring boxer Marco (Kang Tae Joo) travels to Korea in search of his father. But his pursuit turns perilous when he is chased by dangerous and powerful forces.
Teasing suspense, intense fights, unexpected comedy, and Kim Seon Ho's debonair charm are sure to keep you seated through this thriller.
The Childe is currently not streaming on OTT platforms.
8. The Moon
Taking place in the year 2029, the story revolves around South Korea's second attempt at a manned lunar exploration mission, following an unsuccessful endeavor five years earlier. Once again, tragedy looms large as robust solar winds trigger a malfunction in the spacecraft, claiming the lives of two crew members.
At this turn of events, astronaut Hwang Seon Woo (Doh Kyung Soo), also a former member of the UDT (Underwater Demolition Team), finds himself in a perilous situation. His only chance of survival rests on reaching the opposite side of the Moon, while grappling with the shortage of resources, to rendezvous with another spacecraft.
Driving the mission to save Hwang Seon Woo is Kim Jae Guk (Sol Kyung Gu), who left South Korea's Naro Space Center after the initial lunar project failure. Riddled with a sense of guilt and duty, Kim is resolute in his efforts to rescue Seon Woo. He seeks assistance from Yoon Moon Young (Kim Hee Ae), the general director of NASA and Jae Guk's ex-wife.
What makes The Moon praiseworthy is not the predictable story or lack of twists, but the production team's efforts to give an immersive experience through realistic space suits and spaceships and fine-tuning every minute detail, as verified by space experts. Moreover, with EXO's D.O. and veteran actors Sol Kyung Gu, Kim Hee Ae, Park Byung Eun, and Jo Han Chul, joining the cast, you can rest assured about the acting quality.
The Moon is currently not streaming on OTT platforms.
The Devil's Deal unfolds a gripping crime saga, revolving around Jeon Hae Woong (Jo Jin Woong), an aspiring assemblyman, as he ventures into the dark realm of politics. Ousted from the electoral competition by the arrangement of Kwon Soon Tae (Lee Sung Min), Hae Woong is willing to do anything to reverse his fortunes. He then gains classified materials and gets help from a local gang leader Kim Pil Do (Kim Mu Yeol).
Unbeknownst to Hae Woong, Soon Tae has caught wind of the confidential documents, setting the stage for a high-stakes confrontation.
The Devil's Deal delivers an impressive portrayal of the dark side of Korean elections. Top-notch performances, nerve-racking tension, and a deep plot make this movie one of the finest crime and political thrillers of Korean cinema.
Watch The Devil's Deal on Viki.
10. Rebound
Rebound tells the heartwarming story of a school basketball team led by an inexperienced coach and six players, who defy all odds and rise to the national basketball tournament. The movie is based on the real story of the 2012 basketball team of Busan Joongang High School.
The winner of the Silver Mulberry Award of the 25th Udine Far East Film Festival (Italy) 2023, Rebound, despite not performing strongly at the domestic box office, deserves to be listed as one of the best Korean movies of the year for its realistic portrayal and attention-to-detail approach towards the game.
Fun facts: Korean Basketball League, a professional men's basketball league, permitted its referees to be technical advisors and portray referees and match officials on screen.
The auditions for background cast members, playing players from rival teams in the movie, were overseen by Cho Sang Hyun, a former coach of the men's national team. Jo Hyun Il, a veteran basketball commentator, was chosen as one of the two narrators for the movie.
Rebound is currently not streaming on OTT platforms.
11. Dream
Directed by Lee Byung Hun, Dream draws inspiration from the real-life event of South Korea's first appearance in the Homeless World Cup 2010, where the South Korean team won the Best Newcomer Award. The film tells the story of a ragtag soccer team of amateur players who participate in the annual international soccer championship.
Coaching this team is Yoon Hong Dae (Park Seo Joon) – a professional soccer player who, as a result of an incident, finds himself disliked by the public.
Sharing the spotlight with Park Seo Joon is none other than South Korea's Music Queen, IU. IU takes on the role of Lee So Min, an aspiring producing director aiming to boost her career by making a documentary that chronicles the endeavors of Hong Dae's team.
If you are looking for a fun, light-hearted watch with an impactful message, Dream is a perfect pick. Though the movie isn't heavy on the sport, the playful banter between the leads, destitute soccer players wanting to rise above their bleak circumstances, and the Park Seo Joon-IU collaboration - who knows when we'll get to see that again - are enough reasons to tune in.
Watch Dream on Netflix.
12. Phantom
Taking place in the year 1933 during the Japanese colonization of the Korean peninsula, Phantom unfolds with the arrest of five Koreans - Murayama Junji (Sol Kyung Gu), Park Cha Gyeong (Lee Ha Nee), Cheon Gye Jang (Seo Hyun Woo), Yoshinaga Yuriko (Park So Dam), and Takahara Kaito (Park Hae Soo) - under suspicion of being the Phantom, a spy of an anti-Japanese organization. Transported to a secluded hotel, they become subjects of intense interrogation. The detainees suspect each other and strive to reveal the true identity of the Phantom to secure their release.
Phantom is a riveting espionage thriller with a gripping narrative that unfolds in Korea's colonial past.
Phantom is currently not streaming on OTT platforms.
13. Jung_E
In the 22nd century, the ravages of climate change have rendered Earth inhospitable, prompting humanity to engineer a man-made shelter to continue existence. Within this dire setting, civil war erupts. To put an end to the war, a brain cloning experiment - with the legendary mercenary Yoon Jung Yi (Kim Hyun Joo) as the subject - takes place to give rise to an invincible A.I. warrior.
Despite receiving mixed reviews, Jung_E stands as one of the best movies of 2023 for its well-shot dystopian scenes, jaw-dropping CGI, tear-jerking story, and praise-worthy performances.
Watch Jung_E on Netflix.
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