When done correctly, thrillers can haunt viewers for years to come with their chilling narratives and intense storylines that keep audiences on the edge of their seats at every rewatch. However, one of the most underrated source of thriller films is the South Korean movie market. If there is one genre that Korean directors have fully perfected, it’s the subtle genius of a thriller. The past 20 or so years have seen some incredible Korean thrillers that have made their way into the American market like Train to Busan, The Handmaiden, Old Boy, and Bong Joon Ho’s historic win with his 2019 film, Parasite. All of these films are incredibly haunting and keep audiences on the edge of their seats throughout. However, outside of those few films that have broken into the American mainstream, there are so many more incredible nail-biting Korean thrillers. In this article, we’re going to give ten Korean thriller recommendations that show the depth and complexity of the genre which stretches further than Bong Joon Ho.
Confession of Murder/내가 살인범이다 (2012)
Directed by Jung Byung-gil, this film is highly praised for all its plot twists and suspenseful action scenes from start to finish. The story follows Detective Choi Hyung-goo, who is haunted by his failure to catch a serial killer responsible for a series of brutal murders. Fifteen years later, the statute of limitations expires, and a man named Lee Doo-seok publishes a book claiming to be the killer, detailing the murders and apologizing to the victims’ families. This sparks a media frenzy and public uproar. As Choi remains skeptical of Lee’s claims, new evidence emerges, leading to a suspenseful chase to uncover the true identity of the murderer and deliver justice.
Decision to Leave/헤어질 결심 (2022)
Decision to Leave was one of the top movies in Korea when it came out two years ago and has proven to be a staple for movie enjoyers and film classes alike. The film is directed by renowned Korean filmmaker, Park Chan-wook and follows a dedicated detective named Hae-jun who is investigating the mysterious death of a man who fell from a mountain. During his investigation, he meets the victim’s widow, Seo-rae, who becomes the prime suspect. As Hae-jun delves deeper into the case, he finds himself increasingly drawn to Seo-rae, blurring the lines between his professional duty and personal emotions. The film combines elements of romance, suspense, and psychological intrigue, exploring themes of love, obsession, and the complexities of human relationships. The intensity of this film and creative choices of the director and production team have also made this movie one of my top regular rewatches.
I Saw the Devil/악마를 보았다 (2010)
I Saw the Devil is directed by Kim Jee-woon and centers on Kim Soo-hyun, a secret agent whose fiancée is brutally murdered by a psychopathic serial killer named Jang Kyung-chul. Consumed by grief and rage, Soo-hyun embarks on a relentless and violent quest for revenge. Instead of simply killing Kyung-chul, Soo-hyun captures, tortures, and then releases him, only to hunt him down again in a sadistic game of cat and mouse. The film explores themes of vengeance, justice, and the loss of humanity, featuring intense and graphic scenes that highlight the psychological and physical toll of revenge.
Memories of Murder/살인의 추억 (2003)
Directed by Parasite director, Bong Joon-ho, the film is based on the true story of the first confirmed serial murders in South Korea, which took place between 1986 and 1991 in small city outside of the capital, Seoul, called Hwaseong. The plot follows two detectives, the more unconventional local Park Doo-man, and the more sophisticated Seoulite Seo Tae-yoon, as they team up to catch the elusive killer. As the body count rises, the detectives grapple with the frustrations of their investigation, dealing with false leads, public pressure, and their own moral dilemmas. There have also been TV shows made about this same case including the popular Kdrama, Gapdong which came out in 2014. The real case the movie was based on has also been solved in 2020 when it came out that the convicted murderer was innocent when Lee Chun-jae came out and confessed. All the lore and mystery that surrounds this case just makes the movie that much spookier plus Bong Joon-ho’s iconic film style make for a thoroughly entertaining film.
Mother/마더 (2009)
Also directed by Bong Joon-ho, this film revolves around an unnamed mother who lives a quiet life with her intellectually disabled adult son, Do-joon. When a young girl is found murdered, Do-joon is accused of the crime and quickly arrested due to circumstantial evidence and his own inability to defend himself. Convinced of her son’s innocence, the mother embarks on a relentless quest to find the real killer and clear Do-joon’s name. Her investigation leads her through a maze of secrets and lies, revealing unexpected truths.
Oldboy/올드보이 (2003)
Oldboy is probably one of the better know films on this list. Like Decision to Leave, it was directed by Park Chan-wook. The film follows Oh Dae-su, a man who is inexplicably kidnapped and imprisoned in a shabby cell for 15 years without knowing his captor’s motives. Suddenly released, Dae-su embarks on a quest for vengeance, determined to uncover the identity and reasons behind his prolonged captivity. As he delves deeper into the mystery, he encounters a young sushi chef named Mi-do, who becomes his ally. The investigation leads to shocking revelations and a twisted game of cat and mouse with his tormentor, culminating in a dark and devastating climax. This film is referenced time and again in filmmaking classes for its iconic longshot hallway fight scene and general freakish nature. Whether as a casual enjoyer or a film student, this film deserves its reputation as one of the best neo noir thrillers out there.
Parasite/기생충 2019
Bong Joon Ho’s and Korea’s most well known film, it is impossible to make a list of Korean thrillers without including Parasite. For those who haven’t seen it, the film follows the Kim family, who live in poverty in a cramped basement apartment. When the son, Ki-woo, gets a chance to tutor the daughter of the wealthy Park family, he seizes the opportunity and devises a plan to infiltrate the Parks’ household. By fabricating credentials and exploiting the Parks’ naivety, the Kims secure positions for each family member within the Park household, posing as unrelated, highly qualified professionals. As the Kims become increasingly entrenched in the Parks’ luxurious lives, their deception begins to unravel, leading to unexpected and violent consequences. The film received widespread acclaim for its storytelling, direction, and performances, winning the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and the Academy Award for Best Picture.
The Handmaiden/아가씨 (2016)
Perhaps another that has broken into the international market, The Handmaiden is also directed by Park Chan-wook, inspired by the novel Fingersmith by Sarah Waters. Adapting Victorian novel into a Korean setting was an interesting choice for the director, which is further explored in this article. Park Chan-wook’s film is set in Japanese-occupied Korea, the film tells the story of Sook-hee, a young pickpocket hired by a conman posing as a Japanese Count to serve as a handmaiden to Lady Hideko, a wealthy heiress. The Count’s plan is to have Sook-hee gain Lady Hideko’s trust, so he can marry her and then commit her to an asylum to steal her fortune. However, as Sook-hee and Lady Hideko grow closer, they develop a romantic relationship, leading to unexpected alliances and betrayals. The film is set into three parts from the perspective of various characters, keeping it exciting from beginning to end.
The Man from Nowhere/아저씨 (2010)
In the Korean canon, this might be one of the more iconic movies that made it onto this list. Directed by Lee Jeong-beom, the film follows Cha Tae-sik, a reclusive pawnshop owner with a mysterious past, who becomes the unlikely guardian of a young girl named So-mi. When So-mi and her drug-addicted mother are kidnapped by a drug trafficking ring, Tae-sik is compelled to come out of his self-imposed isolation to save them. Utilizing his lethal skills as a former covert operative, Tae-sik embarks on a relentless and violent mission to rescue So-mi, uncovering a web of criminal activity along the way. The film is praised for its intense action sequences, emotional depth, and strong performances, particularly by lead actor Won Bin.
The Wailing/곡성 (2016)
Finally, The Wailing maybe crosses the line and is more horror than thriller but remains iconic nonetheless. It is directed by Na Hong-jin and is set in a small, rural village that is struck by a mysterious illness causing violent behavior and deaths among the residents. Jong-goo, a bumbling local police officer, investigates the strange events, initially attributing them to wild mushrooms. As the occurrences escalate, he discovers a link to a reclusive Japanese man who recently arrived in the village, sparking rumors of supernatural involvement. Jong-goo’s daughter becomes afflicted by the same symptoms, prompting him to seek the help of a shaman to perform an exorcism. As Jong-goo delves deeper into the mystery, he is caught in a web of confusion, fear, and supernatural forces, leading to a suspenseful and haunting climax.
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