Over the past couple of years, avid movie fans have explored more than just the Hollywood or regional realm. With the expansion of the Hallyu wave, a wide variety of audiences consume Korean movies. Not just because of the celebrities that star in it, but also because of the hard-hitting storylines. K-movies have also expanded in terms of genre and variety. One of the major proponents of the same is Korean thriller movies.
Since films like Train to Busan, Parasite, and others are well-known to global audiences, it is definitely safe to say that Korean thriller films are here to stay. With their narratives and structuring of socio-political and economic events, Korean thrillers have kept viewers hooked to their screens. The past few years have seen a huge rise in these movies and the audience is only expecting more.
Check out a few of our interesting recommendations for the best Korean thriller movies.
Unlocked (2023)
Unlocked, starring Im Si-Wan and Chun Woo-Hee as leads, tells the story of a young woman, whose life turns upside down after her phone is hacked. A mysterious man gets a hold of her lost cell phone and begins to track her every move. This dangerously affects her life, including the safety of her friends and family. The movie released on February 17, 2023, and is available to stream on Netflix.
Forgotten (2017)
Forgotten is a 2017 thriller, starring Kang Ha-Neul, released on November 29. The movie tells the story of a man named Jin-Seok, who investigates his brother’s kidnapping. His abducted brother returns after 19 days with seemingly no memory of the incident. However, when he portrays a different self, Jin-Seok realizes something is wrong. The movie is available to stream on Netflix.
Parasite (2019)
Parasite, directed by Bong Joon-Ho released on May 30, 2019. The movie stars Cho Yeo-Jeong, Lee Sun-Kyun, Park So-Dam, Choi Woo-Shik, Park Seo-Joon, and others. It documents the journey of a family, whose lives change after a member becomes a tutor for a wealthy family. The movie showcases the family’s parasitic life that leads them down a dark road. It is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
I Saw The Devil (2010)
I Saw The Devil stars Oh San-Ha, Lee Byung-Hun, and Choi Min-Sik, among others. The movie tells the story of a secret agent, who seeks revenge on a serial killer that murdered his pregnant fiancé. After identifying the killer, he forces him to swallow a GPS-tracking capsule. The movie released on August 12, 2010, and is available to stream on Peacock.
The Wailing (2016)
The Wailing is a horror thriller released on May 12, 2016. The movie follows the story of a policeman, who investigates a series of murders and a disease outbreak that plague a South Korean village. The movie also focuses on aspects of Asian folklore and mythology, keeping viewers hooked on the storyline. It is available to stream on Netflix.
Oldboy (2003)
Oldboy is a thriller movie and a loose adaptation of the Japanese manga of the same name by Garon Tsuchiya. The film, led by Choi Min-Sik, tells the story of a man, who seeks revenge against the men who kidnapped and imprisoned him for 15 years. After he receives money and is released, he embarks on an uncertain future. The movie released on November 21, 2003.
South Korean thrillers have been at the forefront of the movie scene worldwide. Multiple streaming platforms host a variety of Korean movies, many of which have been commercially successful and have received critical acclaim.
