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7 K-Drama Filming Locations You Must Visit When In Korea

With so many places to explore, but so little time, how do you narrow it all down? Well, all those hours sacrificed to dramas have led to this moment: creating the ultimate travel guide to Korea. Check out our list of must-see places below!

1. Minsokchon (Korean Folk Village)

If you’re a huge fan of historical dramas, this is the place for you! Walking through this village will make you feel like you’ve been transported back in time. Many historical dramas have been filmed here, like

“ The Moon Embracing the Sun ,”

“ Sungkyunkwan Scandal ,”

“ My Love From the Star ,”

and most recently, “ Queen for 7 Days “!

There’s also a neat corner where they display the posters of the various dramas shot in the village, so you can also take a picture with a life-size poster of your favorite drama!

2. College campuses

Visiting Korean college campuses is like killing two birds with one stone: you get to see beautiful sights and drama filming locations! Two frequently-used universities are Yonsei University (“ Reply 1994 ” and the movie “My Sassy Girl”)

and Seoul National University (“ Cheese in the Trap ”).

And if we’re talking about college campuses, we can’t forget Hongdae! Rather than Hongik University itself, however, it’s the surrounding streets that are more well known, particularly for its vibrant nightlife and art scene. Some notable dramas filmed here were “Coffee Prince,”

You can visit the actual coffee shop from the drama! 

“ Flower Boy Ramyun Shop ,”

and “ Love Rain ” (at the Hongdae Playground).

3. Namsan Tower (Seoul Tower)

Known for its killer night views and a hotspot for couples, it’s also a pretty popular place for shooting dramas as well! Several scenes from dramas like

“ Boys Over Flowers ,”

and  “ Oh My Ghostess ” were filmed here.

Visiting the filming locations for “Goblin” will take you all over and out of the country! So I thought it merited its own little column. Within Seoul, you can visit the wall where the Goblin met his bride (near Pungmoon High School) and the BBQ Olive Chicken Cafe, to name a few.

If you’re willing to get out of the Seoul area,  the Jumunjin Breakwater in Gangneung (on the east coast of Korea) is definitely one of the best places to hit up.

On the west end of Korea is another notable place: the Borinara Hagwon Farm, where they filmed the scenes with the lovely buckwheat fields.

5. Sinseong-ri Reed Field

If you’re a fan of oldie dramas, and decide that you want to take that two-three hour drive (from Seoul) down to the Jeollabuk-do area for the buckwheat fields from “Goblin,” don’t forget this place as well! Located in Chungcheongnam-do, it was the filming site of several dramas, like “Slave Hunters” and “I’m Sorry, I Love You.” In the summer seasons, the fields are a beautiful green sea, but during the harvesting period, they turn into a cozy gold.

6. Munheonseowon

One of the filming sites for “Moonlight Drawn by Clouds,” this was originally used as a Confucian academy. It’s also in Chungcheongnam-do. While smaller than and not as well known as the traditional villages and palaces near Seoul, it’s free to get in and a lot less crowded, even on weekends.

7. Seoullo 7017

Opened just a few weeks ago, this place has already been used for a scene in “ Fight My Way ”!

Seoullo 7017 is an overpass that was converted into a walkway. There are lots of cute little things on the overpass, like small gardens and little pools and other attractions.  I’m sure we’ll see this overpass in many future dramas to come.

7. Last but not least…

How could we forget Subway?

Just kidding!

Hey Soompiers! This is by no means an exhaustive list. Do you have other places you would recommend? Let us know in the comments below! Happy Travels! 

mayme22 recently visited Korea for the first time, and contrary to expectation, she recalls seeing only a single Subway restaurant during her time there. 

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17 K-Drama Locations You Can Actually Visit

1. Gukje Market – From the movie Gukje Market

Gukje Market is one of the largest markets in Busan, Korea. It was started by refugees who fled to Busan during the Korean War, and it was featured in the movie Gukje Market, making it a hot tourist destination for both Koreans and foreigners.

2. Jung Dong Jin Beach – From the K-Drama Sandglass

Jung Dong Jin beach is one of the most popular spots to see the sunrise. It was featured in the drama Sandglass back in 1995, which was the hottest drama of the time. Although the beach is pretty small, it is usually filled with people who come to see the rising sun.

3. Joomoonjin Beach – From the K-Drama Goblin

Joomoonjin beach became one of the most loved beaches in Korea after Goblin was filmed. Joomoonjin beach is not very far from Jung Dong Jin beach, and you can see the beautiful sunrise and have a memorable time posing exactly like the characters from the drama.

4. Huam 108 Stairs – From the K-Drama What Happened In Bali

Huamdong 108 Stairs is a popular spot for movies and K-Dramas. One of the most famous dramas to use the stairs was What happened in Bali, in which So Ji Sub’s mother’s restaurant was located directly off of the famous steps.

5. Yeouido Park – From the movie The Host

Yeouido Park by the Han river is one of Seoul’s most popular spots for both exercise and leisure. The movie  The Host was filmed here, scaring everyone with this horrifying creature destroying such an ordinary but beautiful place that they visit every day.

6. Namsan – From movies and K-Dramas including My Name Is Samsoon ,  My Love from the Stars and Boys Over Flowers

Namsan, located in the centre of Seoul, is one of the hottest places to visit for both Koreans and foreigners. Many dramas and movies are regularly shot in Namsan, due to its beautiful night view and unique vibe.

7. Cheonggyecheon – From various K-Dramas including Cold Eyes , Jeon Woo Chi , Athena and Iris

Cheonggyecheon is a stream that flows through Seoul. It is a popular spot for residents and tourists who wish to have a quiet time to rest and escape the busy city.

8. Wolmido – From the K-Drama Descendants of the Sun

Wolmido is an island located in Incheon, Korea. It is not very far from Seoul and it has a pretty big theme park which attracts many visitors. Many K-Dramas and movies are filmed here.

9. Jeju Salt Beach – From the K-Drama Missing 9

Jeju island has many famous beaches and Jeju Salt beach is one of them. You can see the beautiful scenery and pretty waves all throughout the year.

10. Lotte World – From K-Dramas including Stairs to Heaven , Athena and Perfect the Boss

Lotte World is a theme park located in Seoul that was opened in 1989. It is loved by Koreans and tourists all throughout the year with its indoor and outdoor attractions. Naturally, it is a popular place for many K-Dramas and films set in Korea.

11. Nami Island – From the drama Winter Sonata

Nami Island is a famous tourist spot located in Chuncheon, Korea. Nami Island’s Metasequoia lane is famous for its perfectly lined-up trees that welcome everyone to take a quiet walk.

12. Suncheon Drama Set – From the K-Drama  Baker Kim Tak Goo

Suncheon drama set is a huge outdoor drama set that reproduced the streets of Korea from the 60s to the 80s. Many dramas and movies are filmed here to show viewers what it was like to live in Korea back in those days.

13. Coffee Prince Café – From the K-Drama Coffee Prince

Coffee Prince was a big hit back in 2007. You can now visit the coffee shop where Gong Yoo and Yoon Eun Hye found their true love, and it is located in Buamdong, Seoul.

14. Hanmi Bookstore – From  Goblin

Hanmi Bookstore is a mini bookstore that has been open since 1955 located in Incheon, Korea. It is loved by all who visit it for its cozy interior and bright yellow exterior. It appeared in  Goblin and became a must-visit spot for K-Drama lovers.

15. Petite France – From My Love From the Stars

Petite France is a mini village composed of 16 adorable French-style buildings and looks exactly like a small town in France brought straight to South Korea.

16. Korean Folk Village – From K-Dramas including The Moon Embracing the Sun and Sungkyunkwan Scandal

Korean Folk Village is a village that recreates the buildings and environment of the Joseon dynasty. It is where most dramas and movies set in the Joseon dynasty are filmed. In addition, there are educational programs held throughout the year where you can learn about and experience traditional Korean culture.

17. DDP – From K-Dramas including  My Love From the Stars and She Was Pretty

DDP is a short for Dongdaemoon Design Plaza and the location is one of the most vibrant places in Seoul. It is a place where design-related shows and exhibitions take place all throughout the year, including Seoul Fashion Week.

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13 Iconic K-drama Filming Locations to Add to Your Korea Itinerary

Spice up your Korea itinerary with these beautiful filming locations featured on these all-time favourite K-drama series .

Being in lockdown has definitely expanded my K-drama library and I’ve got the itch to travel to Korea once all this blows over. As a die-hard K-drama fan, I’m always on the lookout for filming locations to add to my trips. Why would I miss the chance to walk, talk and breathe where Hyun Bin or Park Seo Joon once did? (Well, not exactly, but you get what I mean).

Besides the usual cherry blossom gardens , Korea has many filming locations that you can explore all year round. Here are 13 unique K-drama filming locations that’ll add more culture and flavour to your next Korea itinerary.

Read also: 7D Korea Itinerary for Under S$800 — Seoul, Nami, Jeonju, Busan with the Korail Pass

1) Taean-gun — Fictional North Korean Village

K-drama: Crash Landing On You

Photo credit: Crash Landing On You via Netflix

“Cross” the DMZ and enter the lives of Captain Ri and the spunky villagers by visiting their homes. Located in Taean-gun, the North Korean Village from Crash Landing On You (CLOY) is a film set that has recently opened to the public.

The drama tried to recreate the North Korean village as accurately as possible, with help from defectors residing in South Korea. The design and detail of the fictional village will give you an immersive experience of what it’s like to live in one of the world’s most secretive countries.

Entrance fee: Free How to get there: Take a 3hr cab ride from Seoul to Moseokwon pension house, and enter the set behind the house

Update: A reader just told us this village has been demolished since late February 😭

2) Yongsan-gu, Seoul — Itaewon

K-drama: Itaewon Class

Photo credit: Itaewon Class via Netflix

“It feels like you’re in a foreign country. And everyone there looks so free.” — Jo Yi-Seo

True to the drama’s name, Itaewon is where Itaewon Class was mostly filmed. The vibrant neighbourhood is just as lively and diverse as the show paints it to be.

Just as Jo Yi-Seo puts it, Itaewon is different from other parts of Seoul as it makes you feel like you’re in another country. The once seedy district is now known as a “Western Town”, so you won’t struggle with Korean as many people speak English there.

The best time to check Itaewon out is when it comes alive at night. We recommend you explore the buzzing streets, and also pay a visit to Oriole . This is the restobar where Seroeyi sets up the second DanBam. End the night enjoying scenic views from the rooftop over dinner and drinks!

How to get there: Take subway Line 6 to Itaewon

3) Gyeonggi-do — Korean Folk Village

K-drama: Kingdom

Photo credit: Korean Folk Village via TripAdvisor

This village doesn’t take you across the border, but it does take you back in time. Just like the Fictional North Korean Village in CLOY, the Korean Folk Village is a replica of a village from the Joseon Dynasty. In real life, it’s a cultural village that’s open to both tourists and locals.

The Korean Folk Village features establishments such as shops, herbal medicine halls, a government office and even a Buddhist temple. This cultural village also has exhibitions, workshop and traditional art performances to educate tourists and locals on Korea’s ancestry.

Photo credit: Kingdom

Spoilers ahead! The government office was also featured in the shocking Kingdom episode, where the corpses came back to life and terrorized the Dongnae villagers. You’ll probably recognise the iconic area where the bodies were laid before they later attacked.

Entrance fee:  ₩22,000 (~S$25.43) Opening hours:  9:30AM – 6PM (Feb to Oct), 9:30AM – 5:30PM (Nov to Jan) How to get there: Take a shuttle bus from Suwon Station (exit 4), which operates every 2hrs from 10:30AM – 2:30PM

4) Ikseon-dong, Seoul — Hotel SEINE

K-drama: Hotel De Luna

Photo credit: Hotel De Luna via Netflix

Hotel Del Luna is about a hotel for those who enter the afterlife. In episode 11, we saw an older version of the hotel which was set in the 1980s. Recap: This was when Man Wol checked in her first pair of mortal guests during the Lunar Eclipse day.

The “hotel” is actually Hotel SEINE , a hotel-themed cafe. The front desk that you see in the show is actually the bar!

The unique cafe is just one of the many interesting places in Ikseon-dong. The trendy neighbourhood combines the old and new with hipster cafes and vintage boutiques located in hanoks , or traditional Korean houses.

Photo credit: @slccoree via Instagram

How to get there: Take subway Line 5 to Jongno 3(sam)-ga Station, and take exit 4

5) Hantangang River Geopark — Bidulginangpokpo Falls

Photo credit: Kingdom via Netflix

The foggy Frozen Valley in Kingdom was a turning point in the show. This was where Seobi, the physician, found the Ressurection Plant and realised the truth about the zombies. The icy pool in the show is actually a waterfall in Hantangang River Geopark .

The trail that gets you to Bidulginangpokpo Falls is the Byeorut-gil trail . The 6.2km trip (one-way) will take you approximately an hour and a half to complete. You’ll start at Busocheon Gorge and end off at the falls.

If you’re looking to add more hikes to your itinerary, the geopark has 10 trails with distances ranging from 4.7km to ~28km.

Entrance fee: Free How to get there: Take subway Line 1 to Dongducheon, then take bus 3300 from Dongducheon Station to Hantangang Tour Attractions Entrance and walk 17mins

6) Incheon — Wonderbox (Paradise City)

Out of all the K-drama filming locations, this is probably the most whimsical. In Hotel De Luna , this vibrant amusement park was where Man Wol met with Chan Sung’s ex-girlfriend to take her bracelet.

Opened March 2019, Wonderbox is an indoor amusement park in Paradise City, Korea’s first integrated resort. The park resembles a circus, but with bright lights and heavily saturated colours that stand out in the “night”. But, the best part about it is you can enjoy your favourite teacup and Ferris wheel rides without worrying about the weather!

Entrance fee:  ₩28,000 (~S$32.46) Opening hours:  10AM – 9PM, closes at 10PM on weekends and public holidays How to get there: Take subway Line 2 to Daelim station, then use exit 5 and take the shuttle bus, which operates every hour from 8:30AM – 11:30AM

If you’re a huge fan of theme parks, check out other attractions in South Korea like Everland and Lotte World !

7) Seoul — Han River

K-drama: What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim

Photo credit: What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim via Netflix

Planning to travel to Korea with your yeobo (Korean for ‘darling’)? them on the Eland Han River Cruise the way Lee Young Joon did for Kim Mi So.

The hour-long cruise will take you on a slow, romantic ride down the Han River. On top of seeing the vibrant Seoul city at night, the cruise also features a stunning firework display. It’s also the perfect place to offer your date your coat when it gets cold during the cruise. 😉

Seoul Eland Hangang River Cruise Cost: From ~S$20.85 Tour timings: 7:30PM (weekends only), 8PM, 8:30PM or 9PM Meeting point: E-land Cruise ticket office at Yeouido Dock

8) Songpa-gu, Seoul — Seoul Book Bogo

The ghost library of Hotel De Luna was only featured once in episode two, but the fascinating design really struck me. I’ve never seen it in any other K-drama, so I searched through many filming locations to find it.

Turns out, the unique library is Seoul Book Bogo , a bookstore/public reading space. On the shelves, you’ll find secondhand books gathered from old bookstores around the city. The unique dome-shaped walkway cuts through the shelving, and it makes a great place for Instagram photos.

Entrance fee:  Free Opening hours:  10:30AM – 8:30PM (Tue – Fri), 10AM – 9PM (weekends), closed on Mon How to get there: Take subway Line 2 to Jamsilnaru Station, use exit 1 or 2

9) G yeonggi-do — Paju Book City

K-drama: Romance Is a Bonus Book

Photo credit: Romance Is a Bonus Book via Netflix

Just like the premise of Romance Is a Bonus Book , Paju Book City is all about books. In real life, this is the publishing hub of Korea where books are conceptualised, sold and even shredded.

Within the vicinity, you’ll find about 200 publishing companies seated atop art galleries, bookstores, cafes and even a hotel! This is a place bookworms will love if you enjoy visiting public libraries during your travels.

The main entrance of Gyeoroo Publishing is actually the exterior of the public library, Forest of Wisdom . The interior is just as aesthetic with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves.

This K-drama filming location might be familiar to fans of What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim . The library was featured in a memorable scene where the fuse tripped. Lee Young Joon had held the torch (both literally and figuratively!) for Kim Mi So as she read in the dark. He then slipped in the line, “Have I ever told you that you’re pretty?”

Opening hours: 9AM – 6PM How to get there: Take subway Line 2 or 6 to Hapjeong Station, use exit 1 and take bus 2200 to Eunseokgyo Intersection Bus Stop, walk 5mins

10) Busan — Hocheon Village

K-drama: Fight For My Way

Photo credit: @DynamicBusan via Facebook

Hocheon Village is located in the Beoncheong-dong in Busan where the four main characters of Fight For My Way lived.

When you reach Hocheon Village, you’ll find a cute turquoise cafe and a museum that opened in tribute to the drama. The museum overlooks the stacked apartments with hanging bottle lights and memorabilia from the show. Die-hard fans will probably recognise some quotes and images from the show drawn on the glass bottles.

A key location in the show is none other than the humble Namil Bar. It was created by the four friends who use it as a secret place to escape. The rooftop bar is located just five minutes away from the cafe. While it doesn’t have the decorations like the show, it still offers the same great view from a wooden sunbed.

Photo credit: Fight For My Way via Netflix

Opening hours: Open 24hrs How to get there: Take a train to Busan Station, and then take bus 87 to Hocheon Village Entrance (호천마을입구)

Read also: 4D3N Busan Itinerary — Why You Need To Spend More Than A Day Trip In Korea’s Charming Coastal City

11) Gangwon-do — Jumunjin Beach

K-drama: Goblin

Photo credit: Goblin via Netflix

The epic scene where Eun Tak unintentionally summons Kim Shin ( The Goblin ) was filmed at Jumunjin Breakwater . This is a popular scene that fans love to recreate, down to the iconic red scarf and a simple flower bouquet in hand.

Just two hours from the city, Gangwon-do is a great place for a day trip out of Seoul. After visiting the famed film spot, you can spend some time lounging on the beach. For food, head to the nearby Haerang Seafood Restaurant that serves affordable catches of the day.

Address: 81-32 Gyohang-ri, Jumunjin-eup, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do How to get there: Take a bus from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal to Gangneung , then take a 20min cab ride

12) Boseong-gun — Boseong Green Tea Field

K-drama: Legend of the Blue Sea

Photo credit: Legend of the Blue Sea via Netflix

Harvesting tea leaves have always been a part of Korea’s history, so it’s no surprise why this K-drama used a plantation as one of its filming locations for their past scenes. (In case you forgot, this plantation was featured in episode four where Heo Joon Jae saves the mermaid from being killed by soldiers.)

Boseong has the largest tea field in Korea. It’s also where 40% of the country’s tea production takes place. You can either stroll along Cherry Blossom Trail where the filming took place, or hike up to the top of the mountain for a panoramic view of the plantation.

Entrance fee: ₩4,000 (~S$4.62) Opening hours: 9AM – 7PM How to get there: Take a 6hr train ride from Yongsan Station in Seoul to Boseong Station

13) Chungju-si — Tangeum Lake Rainbow Bridge

One of my favourite scenes in CLOY was when the hard-headed Seo Dan finally confessed her love to Gu Seong Ju, the con man. She even kissed him in the middle of the night on the Rainbow Bridge in Chungji. Even though they were supporting characters, this unlikely duo still stole our hearts!

The beautiful rainbow lights on this bridge are lit every day from 7:30PM – 10PM. In the day, it’s a popular spot among families to camp or enjoy a picnic by the waters.

How to get there: Take a bus from Dong Seoul Terminal to Chungju Bus Terminal, then take bus 400 to Central Tower Office (중앙탑 면사무소), and walk 10mins to Tangeum Lake

Hunting Down K-Drama Filming Locations

Although we can’t travel now, we can still do some pre-trip planning and visit these K-drama filming locations when it’s safe to do so! In the meantime, there’s always binging on Korean food or satisfying our itch for travel by travelling to Korea online .

If you’re looking for more Korea travel inspiration, check out our itineraries for Seoul , Jeju and Busan .

Are there any K-drama filming locations that we missed out? Let us know in the comments!

Like what you see? Follow us on  Facebook ,  Instagram ,  YouTube  and  Telegram for more travel inspiration!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Travel Intern (@thetravelintern) on Apr 16, 2020 at 5:57am PDT

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Thanks for sharing these beautiful locals. Do you know where the garden scenes with a beautiful night view of Seoul were filmed in My Secret Romance?

Thank you for such an informative list Where might we see the settings for Missing: The Other Side?

Hey beautiful locations! I’m hoping to visit a bunch of locations and have been looking also for film locations of happiness tv show as well could these be added?

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18 Iconic K-Drama Locations You Can Actually Visit In South Korea

~Live out your K-drama dreams.~

BuzzFeed Contributor

From plot twists to sappy romances, there's so many things to like about a good K-drama. But if you're like me and you're curious about where these dramas are filmed, this post is the one to save for your South Korea travel itinerary.

A day of eating at delicious restaurants and visiting locations where my fav K-dramas were filmed? Count me in!

But first, here are two helpful tips when traveling in South Korea:

1. Use Naver Maps to find directions! It's super easy to use and is available in English. 

2. Make sure you have a bus and subway card. In South Korea, transportation by bus or subway is much more common and efficient than cars or taxis. So, to ensure that you're not stuck in hours of traffic, buy a bus and subway card.

Now, onto the locations:

1. Jageun Maeul

K-Drama: Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo

Address:  35 Jeongneung-ro 6-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul

The legendary Bok Chicken restaurant isn't exactly a fried chicken restaurant in real life, but it is open for business! They have a variety of traditional Korean dishes that you can try, ranging from traditional green onion pancakes to soft tofu stew. The seating arrangement is exactly like the one in the drama, so you'll get a perfect feel of what it was like filming there. 

2. Jumunjin Breakwater

K-Drama:   Guardian: The Lonely and Great God

Address:  81-32 Gyohang-ri, Jumunjin-eup, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do

Remember the "red scarf" scene where Eun Tak accidentally summons the Goblin? Re-create this iconic scene at Juminjin Breakwater on Juminjin Beach! This popular tourist beach is great for a day trip out in Gangwon-do. 

3. Hansung Apartments

K-Drama:   Fight for My Way

Address:  49-38 Beonna-gil, Suyeong-ro, Namgu, Busan

Four childhood best friends living right next to each other — what could go wrong, right? Famously known as the Namil Villa, this apartment complex gave way to countless memorable scenes. But even in real life, there are residents living in the apartments, so make sure to respect their privacy when visiting. 

4. Sinchon Graffiti Tunnel

K-Drama:  Guardian: The Lonely and Great God

Address:  Sinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

*Cue the dramatic music* Re-create this iconic scene at Sinchon Graffiti Tunnel! All you need is a long black coat and a whole lot of confidence. (Also, maybe some green onions to make it a touch more authentic.)

5. Hapcheon Movie Theme Park

K-Drama:   Youth of May

Address:  757, Hapcheonhosu, Yongju-myeon, Hapcheon-gu, Gyeongsangnam-do

A majority of Youth of May was filmed at Hapcheon Movie Theme Park, and it's easy to see why! The location is a bubble of what South Korea looked like in the 1980s, with makeshift stores and railroad-track roads. 

6. Seoul Land

K-Drama:   Strong Woman Do Bong Soon 

Address:  181 Gwangmyeong-ro, Makgye-dong, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do

Planning a day at the amusement park with friends and family? Learn from Bong Soon's experience and visit Seoul Land! It has numerous roller coasters and even a movie theater — clearly perfect for all ages. 

7. Baekje Cultural Land

K-Drama:   Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo

Address:  455 Baekjemun-ro, Gyuam-myeon, Buyeo-gun, Chungcheongnam-do

Who's chopping the onions?! This iconic scene in Scarlet Heart   Ryeo  was shot inside Baekje Cultural Land. Inside the center, there is a museum, temple, restaurant, and rest areas. It's a true representation of the Baekja Kingdom, which is mirrored in  Scarlet Heart Ryeo !

8. Garden of the Morning Calm

K-Drama:   Love in the Moonlight

Address:  432 Sumogwon-ro, Sang-myeon, 상면 Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do

Take in the beautiful sight of colorful flowers at the Garden of the Morning Calm. You'll be surrounded by more than 300,000 square meters of 5,000 plant species. In fact, it's actually the oldest private garden in South Korea — makes sense, considering that the drama filmed here was a historical fiction one!

9. Depohang Port Light House

K-Drama:   Strong Woman Do Bong Soon

Address:  64, Daepohang-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do

Smile! Not only does this lighthouse call for an Instagram-worthy picture, it's also where Do Bong-Soon and Ahn Min-Hyuk had their date! While you're there, you can also spend a relaxing day at the beach and grab a bite to eat at Sokcho Jar Cold Raw Fish Soup, a restaurant famous for their fresh sashimi.

10. Hotel Seine

K-Drama:   Hotel Del Luna

Address:  28-5 Donhwamun-ro 11-gil, Nakwon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Unlike the name, this place is actually a café. It's a vintage, hotel-themed café complete with a rooftop lounge, which is quite the opposite of its role in Hotel Del Luna . You're welcome to sit in one of the cozy parlors or go up to the lounge with a full view of the nighttime city lights. Fun fact: The rooftop lounge is named the "Full Moon Rooftop Lounge," which is the same as the meaning of Man Wol's name (full moon). 

11. Seoul Fortress Wall

K-Drama:   Itaewon Class

Address:  622-83 Changsin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Remember Jo Yi Seo and Park Saero Yi's mini date in the last episode? The last destination they stopped by was here! The Seoul Fortress Wall runs 18.6 kilometers around the center of Seoul, making it a beautiful place to hike and view the city lights.

12. Dal.komm Coffee

K-Drama: Descendants of the Sun

Address:  23-5 Songdo 2(i)-dong, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon

Dal.komm Coffee is a perfect place to enjoy a nice cup of coffee to start off your day! Yoo Shi Jin and Kang Mo Yeon had multiple coffee dates here in the drama, but they also experienced a breakup here (cue the tears). This was also the place where Yoo Shi Jin and Seo Dae Yeong brought their stuffed animal girlfriends! 

13. Gwanghwamun Square

K-Drama:   The King: Eternal Monarch

Address:  172 Sejong-daero, Sejongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Gwanghwamun Square is just as beautiful in person as depicted in this scene. During the day, you can see a clear view of King Sejong's statue, whereas at night, the colorful lights and waterworks are the main spectacle. 

14. Hotel Midas Resort

K-Drama: The Penthouse: War in Life (Season 2)

Address: 2245 Bukhangang-ro, Oeseo-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do

Oh Yoon Hee and Ha Yoon Cheol famously crashed Cheon Seo Jin and Joo Dan Tae's wedding at the Hotel Midas Resort. If you do stay at the hotel, there probably won't be another wedding crash, but there are plenty of other sights to see. Because of the hotel's location, the rooms allow you to enjoy beautiful scenery right on the terrace. 

15. Cheonggye Plaza

K-Drama:   Vincenzo

Address:  162 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

The iconic Geumga Plaza is actually a real plaza IRL. Although it doesn't house the same residents and stories, you can visit to get a sense of what filming there was like. The upper floors are mostly residential housing, while the lower floors are mostly electronic stores. 

16. Namdo Bunsik Ikseon

K-Drama:   True Beauty

Address:  33 Supyo-ro 28-gil, Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Craving some Korean street food? Namdo Bunsik Ikseon's the place for you! Joo Kyeong and her friends constantly went there after school, sharing light-hearted conversations and making long-lasting memories. It's the perfect place to grab a quick bite!

17. Yonsei University

K-Drama:   Extraordinary You

Address:  50 Yonsei-ro, Sinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Spoiler alert: The high school in  Extraordinary You  isn't actually a high school at all. It's Yonsei University! The Sinchon campus is known for its ivy walls, which is featured in many other Korean dramas, one of them being True Beauty . The campus is open to the public, and visitors can stroll around the beautiful greenery. 

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• Travel Guide
• South Korea

9 Top K-Drama Filming Locations For Your Next Visit In South Korea

Siti Aishah Ahmad  •  Oct 17, 2021

Any K-drama lovers could not possibly miss out famous filming locations when they're in the country! Many flock popular ones like Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, Sinchon Graffiti Tunnel and the one and only Namsan Tower. These tourist attractions are in the capital city, Seoul and as more K-dramas are getting well-known, more fans scour filming locations that are outside the city.

South Korea is a beautiful country with lots of natural and man-made wonders that would even make non K-drama watchers want to visit. So, here's a list of must-visit filming locations outside of Seoul for popular dramas ?

P.S. Here's the guide on must-visit K-Drama filming locations in Seoul for your next visit !

Famous Filming Locations Outside of Seoul

1. wolpo beach.

Credit: @hometownchachacha on Instagram 

Fans of Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha! If you're trying your luck to let the ocean swallow a pair of your shoes to meet a Hong Du-shik, then this is the place! Located in Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, this is the famous beach where lovers Hye Jin and Du-shik met for the first time. Most scenes in the drama were filmed in Pohang so get your tickets here to experience the drama in person! Just like the scene depicted, the sandy beach and sea salt water is a great stop to clear your thoughts and possibly bump into your soulmate ?

Drama : Hometown Cha Cha Cha

Address: 431-108 Yongdu-ri, Cheongha-myeon, Buk-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea

2. Tangeum Lake Rainbow Bridge

Credit: @shinehwii on Instagram 

Who could ever forget the romantic scene where second lead couple, Seo Dan and Seong Joon in  Crash Landing On You  confessed their love to each other? The heartwarming clip was shot here at the Tangeum Lake Bridge and the night view is just as beautiful and romantic in the scene. If you're here during the day, the bright green park near the bridge has peaceful areas for you to have a picnic and enjoy the daylight view.

Drama : Crash Landing On You

Address : Tapjeongan-gil, Jungangtap-myeon, Chungju, Chungcheongbuk-dp 27447, South Korea

3. Hantan River Sky Bridge

Credit: @travel._.bini on Instagram 

Another unforgettable romantic scene in Crash Landing On You is when Ri Jeong Hyeok and Yoon Seri realized that they were fated to be together after having met unknowingly in Switzerland years ago and that scene was shot here! It seemed like they filmed it in a foreign land but really, the 200m long bridge is located in Gyeonggi-do and it's a perfect place to be up in the air and enjoy the view of mountains and Hantan River.

Drama : Crash Landing On You, What's Wrong with Secretary Kim

Address : 207 Bidulginang-gil, Yeongbuk-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

4. Pocheon Art Valley

The heartbreaking drama  Scarlet Heart  was filmed here and you can sit at the exact place where IU curled up with a bottle of soju in hand before she drowned to the Goryeo Dynasty. Pocheon Art Valley, an art and culture complex, is one of the most famous filming locations for historical K-dramas. The stunning emerald lake with tall granite walls are just beautifully picturesque. Other tourist spots in the complex which you can check out include the Astronomical Science Museum and outdoor cultural performances!

Drama : Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, A Korean Odyssey

Address : 234, Art valley-ro, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

Opening hours : Daily, 9AM-7PM

Admission fee:  Individuals - Adults 5,000 won / Teenagers 3,000 won / Children 1,500 won

5. Forest of Wisdom

Credit: @subbuman on Instagram 

Any K-drama enthusiast would recognize this gorgeous library and cafe from afar since it's been filmed in countless dramas! Forest of Wisdom is a book utopia, fit for bookworms who feel comfort around paperbacks and hardbacks. It's also surprisingly located a few kilometers away from the demilitarized zone between South and North Korea. Yet, Paju is the center of book culture and publishing in South Korea. For book lovers, the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves would struck you with awe! Not to mention, this free-to-enter library is absolutely IG-worthy too.

Drama : The World of The Married, Chicago Typewriter, What's Wrong With Secretary Kim, The King: Eternal Monarch, Lovestruck in The City, Record of Youth

Address : 145 Hoedong-gil, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

Opening hours:  Daily, 9AM-8PM

6. Yongin Daejanggeum Park

Credit: @koreanet_official on Instagram 

Yongin Daejanggeum Park is the largest historical drama set in all of South Korea. It's a famous site to film any drama with historical elements and the architectural style was built based on past records. The surroundings were built to portrait the past life of historic Korea and tourists are sure to feel like they've turned back in time when they walk around this park!

Drama : The King: Eternal Monarch, Hotel Del Luna, A Korean Odyssey

Address : 25, Yongcheon drama-gil, Baegam-myeon, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

Opening hours : Mar-Oct (9AM-6PM), Nov-Feb (9AM-5PM)

Admission fee : Adults 9,500 won / Middle & high school students 8,000 won / Ages 4 years - elementary school students 7,000 won / Children under 4 years old enter for free

P.S. Here's the ultimate Muslim-friendly 6D5N guide in Seoul, Incheon & Gyeonggi-do ! 

7. Daehan Dawon Green Tea Plantation

Credit: @gipsy_caju on Instagram 

From afar, this plantation would look like a fuzzy, soft green carpet is covering the area! But it's the well-taken care off tea trees that are giving an impeccable image of this plantation. All year-round, Daehan Dawon Green Tea Plantation is a popular tourist attraction for both K-drama and green tea fans! Lined with tall cedar trees, passing through the entrance will make you feel like you've transported to a green paradise. Of course, the best time to visit this plantation is in spring because that's when the flowers and trees are most alive and you can breath it the strong calming scent of green tea.

Drama : Legend of The Blue Sea

Address : 763-65, Nokcha-ro, Boseong-gun, Jeollanam-do, South Korea

Admission fee : Adults 4,000 won / Group 3,000 won / Children & Senior citizens: 3,000 won

Did you know there's an insta-worthy purple island in South Korea? Read this guide to know more about the unique island! 

8. Jumunjin Beach Breakwater

Credit: @travelwithsera on Instagram 

This list wouldn't be complete without this important beach! As seen in  Goblin , this is the exact spot where Ji Eun-tak wished for a boyfriend and lo and behold, her soulmate, Kim Shin comes to fulfill her wish with a bouquet of buckwheat flowers. So many people travel to this area to take pictures and recreate scenes with a long red scarf and buckwheat flowers, so be sure to arrive here early!

Drama : Goblin

Address : 1609 Haean-ro, Jumunjin-eup, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea

Opening hours : Daily, 6AM-12AM (Swimming hours: 6AM-6PM)

9. Daepohang Port Lighthouse

Credit: @nicholebc on Instagram 

Daepohang Port Lighthouse is the dating spot for Do Bong Soon and Ahn Min Hyuk in Strong Woman Do Bong Soon but funnily enough, this port is actually a popular place to find the freshest fish and other seafood. Those who are craving for seafood fresh out of the sea can visit the restaurants here but if you're just here to take a picture with the striking red lighthouse, then do so to fulfill your enjoyment!

Drama : Strong Woman Do Bong Soon

Address : 785 Daepo-dong, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea

Now you have more places to discover in South Korea! This country is naturally aesthetic so you will for sure get to take memorable photos worthy of your wanderlust and IG feed ?

Read more complete Muslim-friendly travel guides to South Korea and real experiences by travelers!

• Banwol Island: You Need To See This Insta-Worthy Purple Island In South Korea
• Reminiscing South Korea: Hanbok Experience and Eating in A Clam Tent in Busan
• The Exciting Christmas Festivities I Experienced On My Two-Week Winter Trip To South Korea
• Muslim-Friendly Everland Guide: 14 Tips To Conquering South Korea's Largest Theme Park

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12 Extraordinary Movies Set In South Korea That Will Inspire You To Visit!

Posted on Last updated: October 13, 2023

Categories Travel Via Cinema , South Korea

Sofia De Vera combines a heartfelt passion for cinema with over 15 years of critiquing for esteemed film publications, wielding academic credentials from the University of Southern California and New York University, to serve as your personal guide through the enchanting worlds of film and television.  Her full guest bio can be found here.

South Korea has a lot to offer to both national and international filmmakers. The country has both modern cityscapes, along with spectacular history and ancient architecture. It is also well known for its stunning landscapes, delicious food, and rich culture. So it will come as no surprise that there are so many wonderful movies set in South Korea.

South Korea is a small but mighty country located in East Asia. From its bustling cities to its stunning natural landscapes, South Korea has something to offer everyone. Its rich culture and history make it a unique and fascinating destination that is definitely worth a visit.

One of the things that make South Korean culture so special is its rich film industry. The country has produced some of the most innovative and exciting films in recent years and has given rise to many talented directors who have managed to capture the essence of South Korean life and culture on screen.

Some of the best directors in South Korea include Bong Joon-ho, Park Chan-wook, and Kim Ki-duk, all of whom have achieved international acclaim for their thought-provoking and visually stunning films. From psychological thrillers to heartwarming dramas, these directors have created a diverse range of films that showcase the many facets of South Korean life and culture.

If you’re looking to get a taste of South Korea from the comfort of your own home, these films are a great way to do it. Shortly to follow is a list of the best films set in South Korea that will transport you to this fascinating country and give you a glimpse into its captivating culture.

These films often rely on the setting as much as the main characters, giving viewers an authentic and unique perspective of the location. This concept of cinematic travel can be applied to other destinations as well. For example, by watching movies that were shot in the United Kingdom , the Philippines , Barcelona , Central America , or even the USA , you can gain insight into the culture, history, and landscapes of these places, and get ideas for your future travel plans.

Wondering where to watch? It depends on where you live in the world and which streaming services you have. We link to the streaming service we watch on in each case - be it Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, or elsewhere.

You can get one month free of Amazon Prime (or a 6-month trial for students ) of Amazon Prime and also get immediate access to FREE Two Day shipping, Amazon Video, and Music. While you won't be charged for your free trial, you'll be upgraded to a paid membership plan automatically at the end of the trial period - though if you have already binged all these, you could just cancel before the trial ends.

Apple TV+ also has a one-week trial, and Hulu has a one-month trial (which can be bundled with Disney!). Another option might be using a VPN to access Netflix titles locked to other regions . Netflix is now available in more than 190 countries worldwide and each country has a different library and availability. US Netflix is (understandably) one of the best. 

While we wish everything could just be in one place - for now, it seems these are the best streaming platforms to watch on.

Page Contents

Oldboy [올드보이] (2003)

The handmaiden [아가씨] (2016), memories of murder [살인의 추억] (2003), parasite [기생충] (2019), i saw the devil [악마를 보았다] (2010), the wailing [곡성] (2016), train to busan [부산행] (2016), spring, summer, fall, winter… and spring [봄 여름 가을 겨울 그리고 봄] (2004), peppermint candy [박하사탕] (2000), secret sunshine [밀양] (2007), the day he arrives [북촌 방향] (2011), our sunhi [우리 선희] (2015).

Oldboy is a South Korean psychological thriller film directed by Park Chan-wook and starring Choi Min-sik. The film tells the story of Oh Dae-su, who is abducted and imprisoned in a shabby hotel room for 15 years without any explanation.

When he is suddenly released, he embarks on a mission to find out who imprisoned him and why. The film is set in Seoul, South Korea, and features several iconic landmarks, including the Namsan Tower, which is shown prominently in the film. 

Oldboy received widespread critical acclaim upon its release and is considered by many to be one of the best South Korean films of all time. The film won the Grand Prize at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival and has since gained a cult following.

Critics praised the film’s plot, which is full of twists and turns, as well as the acting by Choi Min-sik and the direction by Park Chan-wook. The film’s cinematography, art direction, and use of music were also praised.

Many critics also praised the film’s themes, which explore the nature of revenge, identity, and the psychological effects of isolation. The film’s intense and violent scenes also contributed to its overall dark and disturbing tone.

Oldboy is a compelling and thought-provoking film that is sure to leave a lasting impression on its audience. It is considered to be a classic of South Korean cinema and is highly regarded by both critics and audiences alike.

The Handmaiden is a South Korean psychological thriller film directed by Park Chan-wook and starring Kim Min-hee and Ha Jung-woo. The film is set in a beautiful and lavish mansion in the countryside of Korea and features several iconic landmarks, such as the Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul. 

Set in 1930s Korea during the Japanese occupation, the film tells the story of Sook-hee, a pickpocket who is hired to serve as the handmaiden to a wealthy Japanese heiress named Lady Hideko. The film is set in a beautiful and lavish mansion in the countryside of Korea and features several iconic landmarks, such as the Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul. 

However, Sook-hee is secretly working with a con man named Count Fujiwara, who is trying to marry Lady Hideko to gain access to her fortune. As Sook-hee begins to develop feelings for Lady Hideko, she becomes torn between her loyalty to the count and her growing love for her mistress. 

The film received critical acclaim upon its release and has since gained a cult following. The film’s plot is full of twists and turns, and the acting by Kim Min-hee and Ha Jung-woo is exceptional. The film also features some steamy and controversial scenes, which contribute to its overall sensual and provocative tone.

The Handmaiden is a stylish and sexually charged film that is sure to leave a lasting impression on its audience. It is a must-see for fans of psychological thrillers and foreign cinema.

Memories of Murder is a highly acclaimed South Korean crime drama film directed by Bong Joon-ho, known for his critically acclaimed films such as Parasite and Snowpiercer. The film stars Song Kang-ho, a renowned actor in South Korean cinema, who delivers an outstanding performance as detective Park Doo-man.

The film is based on the true story of the first serial killer case in South Korea and follows detective Park as he investigates a series of murders in a small village in the countryside. As the investigation progresses, Park and his team struggle to solve the case due to a lack of leads and of modern forensic techniques. The film also explores themes of corruption and the impact of the rapidly modernizing society on rural life.

In addition to its engaging plot and strong performances, the film boasts impressive cinematography and a tense and suspenseful score. The film’s intense and violent scenes contribute to its overall dark and disturbing tone.

Memories of Murder is a must-see for fans of crime dramas and foreign cinema. Its compelling plot and strong performances make it a standout film in the genre. Don’t miss this opportunity to watch one of Bong Joon-ho’s earliest works and see the director’s style and themes in their formative stages.

Parasite is a critically acclaimed South Korean film directed by Bong Joon-ho. The film follows the story of the impoverished Kim family, who hatch a plan to infiltrate the wealthy Park family by posing as unrelated, highly qualified individuals. The Kim family members gradually take over various roles within the Park household, including tutoring, art therapy, and chauffeuring, while keeping their true identities hidden.

As the two families’ lives become intertwined, a series of unexpected events and revelations threaten to expose the Kims’ deception and unravel their carefully constructed facade. The film explores themes of class struggle, greed, and the blurred lines between right and wrong.

Parasite was a massive success both commercially and critically, winning numerous awards including the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, and becoming the first South Korean film to win an Academy Award for Best Picture. The film also won awards for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards.

The film was shot in various locations around South Korea, including the capital city of Seoul. The Park family’s luxurious modernist home, which plays a prominent role in the film, was filmed at a real-life residence in the affluent Gangnam District.

The film features a talented cast, including Song Kang-ho as the patriarch of the Kim family and Lee Sun-kyun as the head of the Park family. Parasite is a unique and thought-provoking film that has captured the attention of audiences around the world and solidified Bong Joon-ho’s reputation as a master filmmaker.

I Saw the Devil is a South Korean psychological thriller directed by Kim Jee-woon. The film follows the story of Kim Soo-hyeon (Lee Byung-hun), a special agent whose pregnant fiancée is brutally murdered by a serial killer. Determined to track down and exact revenge on the perpetrator, Kim embarks on a violent and relentless pursuit of the killer, Jang Kyung-chul (Choi Min-sik).

As the two men engage in a brutal cat-and-mouse game, the line between hunter and prey begins to blur, and Kim becomes increasingly consumed by his own thirst for vengeance. The film explores themes of justice, morality, and the destructive nature of grief and hatred.

I Saw the Devil was a commercial and critical success in South Korea and received numerous awards, including Best Film at the 2010 Asian Film Awards and Best Director at the Blue Dragon Film Awards. The film also received praise for its intense and graphic action scenes, as well as the performances of its lead actors.

The film was shot in various locations around South Korea, including the capital city of Seoul and the city of Gyeongju. The film features a talented cast, including Lee Byung-hun as the vengeful special agent and Choi Min-sik as the ruthless serial killer . I Saw the Devil is a gripping and suspenseful film that is sure to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

The Wailing is a South Korean horror film directed by Na Hong-jin. The film follows the story of Jong-goo (Kwak Do-won), a rural police officer whose daughter becomes infected by a mysterious illness that causes her to behave violently and exhibit bizarre physical symptoms.

As Jong-goo investigates the source of the illness, he uncovers a series of strange occurrences and a possible connection to a Japanese man who has recently arrived in the village.

As Jong-goo delves deeper into the mystery, he becomes caught in a web of supernatural forces and ancient curses that threaten the safety of his family and the entire village. The film explores themes of faith, tradition, and the dangers of superstition.

The Wailing was a critical and commercial success in South Korea and received numerous awards, including Best Film at the Blue Dragon Film Awards and Best Director at the Grand Bell Awards. The film also received praise for its atmosphere of creeping dread and its evocative use of imagery and folklore.

The film was shot in the village of Hwaam-dong in the province of Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. The film features a talented cast, including Kwak Do-won as the desperate father and Hwang Jung-min as the mysterious Japanese man. The Wailing is a suspenseful and atmospheric film that is sure to leave a lasting impression on horror fans.

Train to Busan is a 2016 South Korean horror film directed by Yeon Sang-ho. The film follows the story of Seok-woo (Gong Yoo), a workaholic father who is taking his young daughter Su-an (Kim Su-an) to visit her mother in the city of Busan on a high-speed train. As the train makes its way across the country, a zombie outbreak occurs and the passengers are forced to fight for their lives against hordes of the undead.

As Seok-woo and Su-an struggle to survive and find a way off the train, they encounter a diverse group of fellow travelers, including a baseball player, a homeless man, and a pregnant woman, who must rely on each other and their own resourcefulness to stay alive. The film explores themes of family, survival, and the bonds of humanity in the face of crisis.

Train to Busan was a massive commercial and critical success in South Korea and received numerous awards, including the Award for Best Film at the Blue Dragon Film Awards and the Award for Best Actor at the Korean Association of Film Critics Awards for Gong Yoo’s performance. The film also received praise for its intense action scenes and its effective use of zombie tropes.

The film was shot on location in various cities and towns in South Korea, including the capital city of Seoul and the city of Busan. Train to Busan is a thrilling and suspenseful film that is sure to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring is a South Korean drama film directed by Kim Ki-duk. The film follows the story of a young monk and his mentor who live in a small floating temple on a lake in the mountains of South Korea. The film is structured around the five seasons of the year and depicts the monk’s life as he progresses through different stages of enlightenment, from childhood to old age.

Throughout the film, the monk grapples with his own desires and temptations as he strives to live a life of purity and compassion. The film explores themes of solitude, spirituality, and the cyclical nature of life.

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring was a critical and commercial success in South Korea and received numerous awards, including the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and the Grand Prize at the Deauville Asian Film Festival. The film also received praise for its beautiful cinematography and its meditative and philosophical themes.

The film was shot on location at the beautiful Jusan Pond in the province of Gangwon-do, South Korea. Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring is a contemplative and moving film that is sure to leave a lasting impression on viewers.

Peppermint Candy is a South Korean drama film directed by Lee Chang-dong. The film tells the story of Young-ho (Sol Kyung-gu), a middle-aged man who is haunted by the events of his past and struggles to come to terms with his own guilt and regrets.

The film is structured as a series of flashbacks that trace Young-ho’s life from his youth to the present day, revealing the series of events that shaped him into the troubled and troubled man he is today. Throughout the film, Young-ho grapples with his own demons and tries to find redemption for his past mistakes. The film explores themes of regret, forgiveness, and the destructive power of guilt.

Peppermint Candy was a critical and commercial success in South Korea and received numerous awards, including the Grand Prize at the Busan International Film Festival and the Award for Best Actor at the Korean Association of Film Critics Awards. The film also received praise for its emotionally powerful performances and its poignant portrayal of one man’s journey toward redemption.

The film was shot in various locations around South Korea, including the capital city of Seoul and the city of Incheon. The film features a talented cast, including Sol Kyung-gu as the troubled Young-ho and Moon So-ri as his long-suffering wife. Peppermint Candy is a moving and thought-provoking film that is sure to leave a lasting impression on viewers.

Secret Sunshine is a South Korean drama film directed by Lee Chang-dong. The film tells the story of Shin-ae (Jeon Do-yeon), a widowed woman who moves to the small town of Miryang with her young son in an attempt to start a new life.

As Shin-ae struggles to adjust to her new surroundings and cope with her grief, she becomes embroiled in a series of complex and emotionally charged relationships with the people around her, including a former piano prodigy turned mechanic and a charismatic pastor.

The film explores themes of grief, faith, and the search for meaning in the face of tragedy. Secret Sunshine was a critical and commercial success in South Korea and received numerous awards, including the Award for Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival for Jeon Do-yeon’s powerful performance. The film also received praise for its nuanced portrayal of complex and fully realized characters.

The film was shot in the small town of Miryang in the province of Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea. Secret Sunshine is a poignant and emotionally powerful film that is sure to leave a lasting impression on viewers.

The Day He Arrives is a South Korean drama film directed by Hong Sang-soo. The film tells the story of Young-ho (Yu Jun-sang), a filmmaker who returns to Seoul after a long absence and reconnects with old friends and colleagues. As Young-ho wanders the city and revisits familiar places, he becomes caught in a series of seemingly endless repetitions and encounters with the same people and events.

The film explores themes of memory, identity, and the cyclical nature of life. The Day He Arrives was a critical and commercial success in South Korea and received numerous awards, including the New Currents Award at the Busan International Film Festival and the Award for Best Actor at the Korean Association of Film Critics’ Awards for Yu Jun-sang’s performance. The film also received praise for its clever and unconventional structure and its thoughtful exploration of the human experience.

The film was shot in various locations around Seoul, South Korea, including the neighborhoods of Seodaemun and Mapo. The Day He Arrives is a unique and thought-provoking film that is sure to leave a lasting impression on viewers.

Our Sunhi is a 2015 South Korean drama film directed by Hong Sang-soo. The film tells the story of Sunhi (Jung Yumi), a young woman who returns to her hometown of Seoul after completing her studies abroad. As Sunhi reconnects with old friends and mentors, she becomes caught in a complex web of romantic entanglements and conflicting feelings.

The film explores themes of love, identity, and the search for meaning in life. Our Sunhi was a critical and commercial success in South Korea and received numerous awards, including the Award for Best Actress at the Korean Association of Film Critics’ Awards for Jung Yumi’s performance. The film also received praise for its realistic portrayal of relationships and its nuanced exploration of human emotions.

The film was shot in various locations around Seoul, South Korea, including the neighborhoods of Seodaemun and Mapo. The film features a talented cast, including Jung Yumi as the protagonist Sunhi and Lee Sun-kyun as one of her former mentors. Our Sunhi is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant film that is sure to leave a lasting impression on viewers.

• South Korea
• 9 Korean Destinations Every K...

Korean Destinations Every K-Drama Fan Should Visit

If you’ve always dreamed of stepping into the shoes of your favorite Hallyu star, you’re in luck, as many Korean TV series and movie filming locations are open to the public. We’ve rounded up a list of the most popular ones, so get ready to turn your K-drama fantasies into reality!

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips , compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips .

Korean Folk Village (한국민속촌)

Featuring Joseon-era architecture, traditional performances, and hanbok-clad staff , the sprawling folk village Min Sok Chon in Yongin, South Korea is designed to transport visitors back in time to the country’s dynastic days . For this reason, it has and continues to be a popular filming location for a number of Korean period dramas and films. Among them include the wildly popular The Moon that Embraces the Sun , My Love from the Star , The Face Reader , and Masquerade .

Nami Island (남이섬)

Nami Island , a countryside destination loved by nature enthusiasts and K-drama fans (it was a filming location for the wildly successful Winter Sonata ), is an idyllic stretch of land made up of tree-lined paths, water-side picnic spots, and nature-inspired sculptures and artwork. Located just 63 kilometers from Seoul , the destination makes for a great day trip for visitors of all ages. Furthermore, each season offers something unique, whether its cherry blossoms in the spring, water sports in the summer or music festivals in the fall.

Suncheon Open Film Location (순천 드라마 촬영장)

Comprised of some 200 houses scattered across three ‘villages’ that each portray Korea in a different decade from the 1950s to the 1970s, the Suncheon Open Film Location is the largest film set on the peninsula. Here, visitors can see the filming locations of some of the country’s most beloved TV series and films like Bread, Love and Dreams and Gangnam Blues . They can also enjoy a bit of nostalgia by dressing up in old-fashioned school uniforms and sampling buchimgae (pan-fried foods) and dotorimuk (acorn jelly) at a traditional open Korean tavern. The realistic set is especially popular in the springtime, when the apricot and peach blossoms bloom.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza (동대문디자인플라자)

As one of Seoul’s most eccentric modern architectural structures , the Dongdaemun Design Plaza is without a doubt the epicenter of all things design in South Korea. Appealing particularly to young trendsetters with its wide variety of attractions and events (including Seoul Fashion Week), the neo-futuristic complex is a fully-equipped facility where visitors can enjoy food, shopping, and entertainment all in one place. K-drama fans may also recognize it as a filming location for the popular shows My Love from the Star , The Producers , and She Was Pretty .

Jumunjin Beach (주문진해변)

Situated in the city of Gangneung , Jumunjin Beach is a sandy stretch of coastline known for its natural beauty, fresh seafood , and K-drama affiliations. Its unusually blue water made it the perfect background for the famous scene of Goblin: The Lonely and Great God , when Ji Eun-tak (Kim Go-eun) first summons Kim Shin (Gong Yoo). Since it appeared on the TV show, Jumunjin Beach has attracted throngs of fans eager to snap selfies on the famous site. After getting your photo, head to nearby Anmok Beach, where stunning views and gorgeous seaside cafés await you.

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Daehan Dawon Tea Plantation (보성녹차밭 대한다원)

Considered by many to be one of the most beautiful places in South Korea, Daehan Dawon in Boseong, Jeollanam Province is an oasis of verdancy and tranquility. Blanketed in soft, rolling hills of beautifully landscaped tea hedges, the farm functions as one of the biggest producers of the country’s green-tea products, and is perhaps the area’s most popular tourist attraction. It’s also the site where Shim Cheong (Jun Ji-hyun) is almost captured by Lord Yang’s swordsmen, but just in the nick of time, is saved by Dam Ryung (Lee Min-ho) in Legend of the Blue Sea . While you’re there, try the city’s iconic green tea snacks such as green tea ice cream and green tea kalguksu (noodle soup), or the province’s signature dish, tteokgalbi, grilled short ribs patties served on a sizzling hot plate.

Sanmotoonge (산모퉁이)

Housed in a lavish Buam-dong mansion and offering breathtaking vistas of the Seoul Fortress Wall , Sanmootonge is a café loved by local hikers and K-drama fans alike. Here, patrons can sit under umbrellas on the cafe’s terrace or in one of its beautifully adorned rooms that look out over the neighborhood. Fans of The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince will appreciate the many paintings and photographs of Hallyu stars Gong Yoo and Yoon Eun-hye in various scenes of the drama, which was partially filmed at the café. Prices, like the hill on which Sanmootonge is perched, are steep, but the views are worth the extra few thousand won.

White Block Art Center (화이트블럭)

A visit to Paju’s Heyri Art Village wouldn’t be complete without popping into Gallery White Block . The modern interior of this gallery-cum-café, as its name suggests, resembles a giant block with white walls, high ceilings, and copious amounts of natural light. For this reason, it has become a popular filming location for Korean dramas including Suspicious Partner , On the Way to the Airport , and Introverted Boss . After browsing the paintings, photographs and sculptures on display across Gallery White Block’s six exhibition halls, grab a cup of coffee on the first floor and enjoy the views of the Heyri pond.

Itaewon Land (이태원랜드)

Itaewon may be known for its raucous nightlife , but tucked away just off the main strip of bars and restaurants is Itaewon Land, a five-story jjimjilbang made famous after its appearance in the body-swapping scene of Secret Garden , a popular K-drama. Its various relaxation rooms such as the pine room and salt room are sure to help you to de-stress while its traditional sauna’s red clay room and flat stone room will most certainly allow you to sweat out all the toxins from last night’s soju session. With a number of guest rooms available for overnight stays, Itaewon Land is also a great (and affordable) place to crash after an evening out on the town.

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30 Certified Fresh South Korean Movies To Watch Now

With Parasite ‘s historic Best Picture win at the 2020 Oscars, South Korea has now become an intractable contender in the argument for which countries are producing the best movies today. Whether Parasite is your gateway into an international film scene or you’re a seasoned viewer looking to tick off every last classic, we present 30 Certified Fresh South Korean movies to watch now!

Parasite is a great introduction to the South Korean aesthetic, as director Bong Joon-ho has been playing with tone since the early 2000s. His spectacular crime thrillers Mother and Memories of Murder and his acclaimed monster movie The Host helped establish him as one of the country’s most promising filmmakers. Parasite ‘s Song Kang-ho, one of Korea’s most versatile and prolific leading men, also starred in the latter two films and serves as the connective tissue between Bong and many of his celebrated colleagues. He’s worked with Oldboy director Park Chan-wook ( Thirst , Sympathy for Lady Vengeance ), Kim Jee-woon ( The Age of Shadows , The Good, the Bad, the Weird ), and Poetry and Burning director Lee Chang-dong multiple times.

Once you’ve devoured all of those films, there’s also the quiet, subdued work of Hong Sang-soo ( Hotel by the River , On the Beach at Night Alone , Right Now, Wrong Then ), whose frequent leading lady Kim Min-hee also starred in Park Chan-wook’s endlessly talked-about 2016 romantic mystery The Handmaiden . And if you’re looking for genre thrills, recent hits Train to Busan and The Wailing , as well as Kim Jee-woon’s A Tale of Two Sisters and I Saw the Devil , will help scratch that horror itch.

Since the turn of the century, South Korea has been a rising force in critic-applauded and genre-friendly moviemaking, with no signs of slowing down after Parasite ‘s big wins. Take a look back with 30 Certified Fresh South Korean movies to watch now! — Alex Vo

The Housemaid (2010) 69%

Pieta (2012) 73%

The Way Home (2002) 75%

Lady Vengeance (2005) 76%

I Saw the Devil (2010) 81%

Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War (2004) 80%

Thirst (2009) 81%

Oldboy (2003) 83%

The Good, the Bad, the Weird (2008) 81%

The Villainess (2017) 85%

Drunk on women and poetry (2002) 83%.

A Tale of Two Sisters (2003) 86%

Chunhyang (2000) 86%

3-Iron (2004) 87%

Treeless Mountain (2008) 86%

Memories of Murder (2003) 95%

Save the Green Planet! (2003) 90%

Right Now, Wrong Then (2015) 92%

On the Beach at Night Alone (2017) 92%

Train to Busan (2016) 95%

The Host (2006) 93%

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter ... and Spring (2003) 94%

The Handmaiden (2016) 96%

Burning (2018) 95%

Hotel by the River (2018) 96%

Mother (2009) 96%

The Wailing (2016) 99%

Parasite (2019) 99%

The Age of Shadows (2016) 100%

Poetry (2010) 100%

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In recent years, South Korean cinema has captivated audiences worldwide, transcending language barriers with its unique blend of storytelling, innovation, and artistry. Far from being newcomers to the industry, Korean filmmakers have been been honing their craft for decades.

From the groundbreaking brilliance of “Parasite,” which made history at the Oscars, to the intense political thriller “12.12: The Day,” and the haunting mystery of “Exhuma,” Korean films offer a great diversity of cinematic experiences, showcasing some of the best movies made anywhere. Films like “Sunny” bring nostalgic charm, blending laughter and tears, a particular Korean specialty. Meanwhile, “Oldboy” and “Lady Vengeance” stand out with their gripping tales of revenge, weaving narratives of twisted moral complexity that have left an indelible mark on world of cinema.

Our editors and writers have used a ranked choice method with a score to determine which films made the list. Each film offers a unique glimpse into Korean culture and society, presenting narratives that resonate universally while maintaining a distinctly Korean flavor.

Join us on a great cinematic adventure through the best Korean movies available for streaming. Whether you’re a seasoned fan of Korean cinema or a rookie, work through this list while you can because you never know when a title will disappear from a streaming platform. Enjoy these great cinematic gems!

Films rated by our editors with a score of 0-10 and ranked accordingly.

1. Parasite (2019): 9.2

Bong Joon Ho’s “Parasite” created a global sensation after its release in 2019. The film elevated Korean cinema’s status by winning Oscars for the Best Picture (and Best Director and Best Screenplay) at the 2020 Academy Awards. It also won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and glittered at every major awards celebration on the planet. “Parasite” is a cinematic tour de force that transcends simple social satire, providing a deep and insightful exploration of human nature and societal structures.

“Parasite,” with Bong Joon Ho’s exceptional direction, outstanding performances, and sharp social critique, is acclaimed as a masterpiece that will be remembered in film history. Its deep exploration of wealth disparity and human nature elevates it beyond mere entertainment.

Watch on Hulu  or Watch on Apple TV+ ($3.99)

2. Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring (2003): 9.2

The only Korean movie on Roger Ebert’s list of ‘Great Movies’, this film is highly regarded for its beautiful depiction of nature, humanity, and the changes and cycles of life, earning widespread acclaim.  The story unfolds in a small wooden house located deep in the mountains, portraying the life, growth, and cyclical world of a person. Through the seasons of spring, summer, fall, winter, and spring again, the film captures the full spectrum of emotions and experiences we go through.

Watch on Amazon Prime Video ($3.59)  or Watch on Apple TV+ ($3.59)

3. Oldboy (2003): 9.0

He was just an ordinary salaryman until he was kidnapped and imprisoned for 15 years. Living on nothing but dumplings in solitary confinement, he gradually loses his mind. Finally liberated, he receives a phone call that marks the beginning of revenge!

“Oldboy” won the Grand Prix at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival, marking a significant milestone for the Korean film industry. This achievement was pivotal as it was the first time a Korean film received such widespread international acclaim.

Watch on Netflix

4. The King (2017): 8.9

This movie might remind you of “The Wolf of Wall Street”, but with an authentic Korean point of view .  “The King” is all in on wealth, power, corruption and debauchery. And the unfolding story will leave you infuriated but mesmerized. While imaginatively exploring serious historical events in Korean politics, there is plenty of humor to keep you entertained while educating you on the power dynamics that make Korean prosecutors possibly the most dangerous people in Korea.

Watch on Viki

5. Memories of Murder (2003): 8.8

Bong Joon Ho ’s “Memories of Murder” was only his second feature film as a director and it is genuinely incredible. A real-life murder mystery that was only recently solved, Memories tells the story of a series of grisly murders in South Korea and the investigators’ desperate but sadly flawed attempts to find the killer.

There are so many classic Korean details in this visually striking film that you might want to watch it twice. Strong performances from the stellar cast, including Song Kang Ho of “Parasite”, deliver some truly edge-of-your-seat moments. Since its release, this film was notoriously difficult to watch in the States, so catch it on tubitv.com before it’s gone.

Watch on tubitv.com

6. A Taxi Driver (2017): 8.5

This film is based on the true story of German journalist Jürgen Hinzpeter and taxi driver Kim Sa-bok, who revealed the truth of the May 18th, 1980 Democratic Uprising in Korea. The film follows middle-aged taxi driver Kim Man-seop (played by Song Kang-ho), struggling to support his family. One day, he encounters a German informant named Peter (played by Thomas Kretschmann), who offers him a significant sum of money to stay until he returns on the same day. Desperate for money, Man-seop agrees to the deal, unaware of the dangerous and politically charged situation in Gwangju. As they arrive in the city, they realize they are at the heart of a massive pro-democracy movement against military dictatorship.

Watch on Amazon Prime Video  or Watch on Viki

7. Sopyonje (1993): 8.5

Im Kwon-taek’s “Seopyeonje” (1993) is the first film in Korean cinema history to record 1 million viewers. It is a heartbreaking and intense story that leaves a lasting impact. Based on Lee Cheong-jun’s series of novels, the film tells the tragic tale of the wanderer, a singer of pansori (a type of Korean folk-blues music), his adopted daughter, and his son.

Watch on YouTube

8. Past Lives (2023): 8.3

In Celine Song’s  film , it’s the engineer who’s the dreamer and the playwright who prefers decisions based on practicality over possibility. In Song’s world, the sweep of in-yun, or fate, is introduced by a writer. But the true romantics of “ Past Lives ” may surprise you.

If life is the sum of the choices we make, what happens when both options in front of you are wonderful and terrible? When both choices force actions that are unavoidably messy and cruel? That’s the setup in Song’s exceptionable cinematic debut. It’s about the utter ache of living a single lifetime when even your most assured decisions only highlight what you don’t have.

“Past Lives” is a semi-autobiographic story of a first love that is interrupted by a family’s move to another continent. The film follows the couple through the different chapters of their lives and the other relationships they choose before seeing each other again.

Watch on Hulu

9. The Book of Fish (2021): 8.3

Jung Yak Jeon, a scholar and government official, faces exile to the remote island of Heuksando. Immersed in the island’s coastal wonders, he becomes captivated by its marine life, sparking a desire to chronicle his observations. Seeking assistance, Jung Yak Jeon approaches young fisherman Chang Dae, whose initial refusal stems from reluctance to aid a perceived criminal. Recognizing Chang Dae’s solitary struggle with education, Jung Yak Jeon proposes a mutually beneficial exchange: his scholarly knowledge in exchange for Chang Dae’s expertise of the sea. Reluctantly, Chang Dae agrees. As time passes, Jung Yak Jeon discovers Chang Dae’s ambitions for success through diligent study.

Watch on Youtube ($0.99)  or Watch on Amazon Prime Video ($0.99)

10. 1987: When the Day Comes (2017): 8.3

In January 1987, a twenty-two-year-old college student dies during police interrogation. Chief Park (played by Kim Yoon-seok) orders cremation to destroy evidence, but Prosecutor Choi (played by Ha Jung-woo) refuses and insists on an autopsy. Despite police falsehoods portraying the death as mere shock, evidence and autopsy suggest torture. Journalist Yoon (played by Lee Hee-joon) reports “death by suffocation during water torture.” Chief Park minimizes the incident by arresting two detectives. Meanwhile, Prison Guard Han (played by Yoo Hae-jin) learns the truth and tasks his niece Yeon-hee (played by Kim Tae-ri) with delivering it to a wanted civilian figure. With one death, everything changes.

Based on a true story, this is the tale of the turbulent events that led up to the June Democratic Uprising of 1987 in Korea.

Watch on Youtube ($3.99)  or Watch on Amazon Prime Video ($3.99)

11. Lady Vengeance (2006): 8.3

Director Park Chan-wook gained attention among film enthusiasts with “Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance” and achieved significant success both domestically and internationally with “Oldboy.” Both films deal with themes of revenge, as does “Lady Vengeance,” the final installment in Park Chan-wook’s Vengeance Trilogy.

This film follows the story of Geum-ja, a stunningly beautiful protagonist. Geum-ja (played by Lee Young-ae), who possesses stunning beauty that instantly captivates those around her, commits a crime at the age of twenty and ends up in prison. Even at the moment of her arrest, her striking looks garner media attention. During her 13 years of incarceration, Geum-ja is the epitome of diligence and exemplary behavior. Her nickname, “Kind-hearted Ms. Geum-ja,” became famous even within the prison.

Over the years, she diligently helps those around her and completes her sentence without incident. Upon her release, Geum-ja unveils the meticulously planned revenge she has been preparing. Her target is Mr. Baek (played by Choi Min-sik), the man who made her a criminal. The fellow inmates she aided during her prison term now assist her in various ways to exact her revenge. What happened between Geum-ja and Mr. Baek 13 years ago, and why does she seek vengeance? And how will this tale of revenge ultimately unfold?

12. 12.12: The Day (2023): 8.2

It’s not often that deep anger lingers after watching a cinematic blockbuster. But “ 12.12: The Day ” viscerally draws out that emotion by illuminating a darkly pivotal moment in Korean politics. Namely, it gives an eyewitness account of the nine-hour military coup that took place on December 12th, 1979, roughly six weeks after the assassination of President Park Chung Hee.

12.12 is a dramatization that stays, for the most part, faithful to fact. It’s a gripping tale told by an exceptional filmmaker. Even if you’ve studied Korean politics, witnessing how General Chun step-by-step dismantles democratic safeguards and how he brazenly seizes power is astonishing.

13. Time To Hunt (2020): 8.1

Truly one of the best Korean movies on Netflix, “Time To Hunt” is a high-octane Netflix Original crime thriller that exceeds expectations with intense action sequences, compelling bromance, and edge-of-your-seat drama. Set in a dystopian poverty-stricken South Korea, four friends pull off a reckless heist to escape their dire financial straits. But, in doing so, they get themselves on the radar of a ruthless assassin who will stop at nothing to hunt them all down. Reminiscent of “Terminator”, Park Hae-soo’s excellent performance as the chilling assassin won him a nomination for a Baeksang Award  for best new actor.

14. World of Us (2016): 8.1

South Korea has one of the highest suicide rates in the world, much of which is attributed to intense social pressures. Director Yoon Ga-eun’s debut feature film shows childhood isn’t so simple. Korean kids know how to bully! “World of Us “ is a deceptively soft-hued and insightful look at the sometimes brutal world of children. You will be fully invested in the euphoric highs and devastating lows felt by the youngsters in this beautifully restrained film.

Watch on Amazon Prime Video

15. The Man From Nowhere (2010): 8.1

A violent action/thriller, “The Man From Nowhere” is the story of a pawnshop owner called Tae-shik who was previously a high-ranking special agent. Now a complete recluse, Tae-shik’s only human relationship is with a little girl who lives near his shop. This little girl’s mother ends up stealing a bag of heroin from a gang of drug traffickers and invites a lot of trouble for both herself and her daughter. The film is well-written and directed, with Won Bin doing a fantastic job as the leading character. If brilliant action sequences are what you love, this is the film for you.

16. Spirits’ Homecoming (2016): 8.1

In 1943, the innocent fourteen-year-old Jeong-min is forcibly taken away from her family by Japanese soldiers without knowing why. Along with Yeong-hee and many other children, Jeong-min is loaded onto a train heading to an unknown destination. During World War II, Jeong-min and the other children are abandoned amid a freezing battlefield. What awaits them there is a horrific scene of pain and suffering, surrounded solely by Japanese soldiers.

The film is based on the true story of Kang Il-chul, who was taken as a comfort woman by the Japanese military in the 1940s. Due to societal neglect and a lack of investors, production only began after a prolonged fundraising period. Initially targeting a release on Independence Day in 2015, the 70th anniversary of Korea’s liberation, financial shortages delayed the project. Further fundraising efforts from citizens and overseas Koreans ultimately enabled its release on February 24, 2016. Despite difficulties securing theaters, strong word-of-mouth support helped the film attract over 3.5 million viewers.

The production faced numerous challenges due to its low budget. Many actors, along with the art director and other staff, donated their talents without compensation. Notably, a Korean-Japanese actor who played a Japanese soldier even covered his own airfare and accommodation costs. These heartfelt contributions add a poignant layer to the film’s moving narrative, making it a truly impactful and memorable work.

Watch on Amazon Prime Video ($1.99)

17. Burning (2018): 8.1

Based on a short story by acclaimed author Haruki Murakami, “Burning” is literally a slow-burning character study of three individuals caught in a potent love triangle. Isolated writer Jong Su meets his childhood neighborhood playmate Hae Mi and they end up sleeping together. He reads way more into the casual encounter and starts to think of her as “his girl.” But Hae Mi doesn’t seem interested in pursuing a relationship and primarily wants him to look after her cat while she goes on a trip.

Jong Su, like the dutiful boyfriend he imagines himself to be, takes care of Hae Mi’s cat and goes to pick her up at the airport on the day of her return. He is taken aback when she arrives with a new boyfriend in town – rich and entitled Ben played by Steven Yeun of “Minari”, and the audience is pulled into an unsettling mystery full of dread and doom. You know something bad is going to happen. This psychological thriller builds up hair-raising tension and climaxes in a fantastically unpredictable manner.

18. Snowpiercer (2013): 8.0

This pre-Parasite gem by Bong Joon Ho is a wildly imaginative dystopian thriller with a star-studded cast including Tilda Swinton, Chris Evans, Ed Harris, Octavia Spencer, John Hurt, and Song Kang-ho. A South Korean-Czech co-production, the film marks Bong Joon Ho’s English-language debut.

The story takes place in a future where a failed global warming experiment kills off most life on the planet. The Snowpiercer is a train that travels around the globe via a perpetual-motion engine, and order is sustained by a strict class system that is challenged by a rumbling lower class.

For those who are left wanting more of the Snowpiercer story after watching this film, an American television series can be found on TNT, starring Jennifer Connelly and Daveed Diggs.

19. Mother (2009): 8.0

Living and working at a local herb shop, a mother shares her life with her only son, Do-joon, who means everything to her. Despite his age, the naive and clumsy Do-joon struggles to take care of himself, often causing minor accidents and inconveniencing those around him. One day, a young girl is found murdered, and Do-joon is arrested as the prime suspect. Faced with her son being falsely accused, the mother does everything in her power to save him. Who is the real perpetrator of the crime? And will Do-joon be able to clear his name?

The film “Mother,” directed by Bong Joon-ho, is his fourth feature and drew significant attention as it marked Won Bin’s return to acting after his military service. This film delves into the lengths a mother will go to for her son and the complexities of twisted motherhood. While the title “Mother” evokes familiar imagery, the film’s opening shatters these expectations in a strikingly brutal manner.

“Mother” naturally calls to mind “Memories of Murder” due to its murder case and the police’s construction of a suspect. However, it subtly subverts the narrative style of “Memories of Murder” with its meticulously arranged crime scenes and the unique identity of the perpetrator. The latter part of the film especially highlights Bong Joon-ho’s extraordinary talent, making it a must-watch. Although it’s been several years since its release, “Mother” remains an outstanding piece of cinema.

20. Little Forest (2018): 8.0

*Foodie Must Watch!*

This little gem by South Korean director Yim Soon-rye will have you yearning for the simple life you never knew you wanted. An endearing and understated celebration of authentic Korean food, friendship, and family, “Little Forest” is about a young woman (Aegi ssi, for Mr. Sunshine fans!) who moves back to her childhood farming village and discovers the things that truly make her happy.

You’ll be inspired by the amazing farm to table cooking scenes and wondering why you aren’t drying your own persimmons.

Watch on tubitv.com  or Watch on Amazon Prime Video ($1.99)

21. Shoot Me in the Heart (2015): 8.0

A moving and life affirming story, “Shoot Me in the Heart” deftly explores the themes of freedom, oppression, and mental illness. The story of Soo-Myung and Seung-Min begins in a mental institution after Soo-Myung is admitted there by his father after suffering from traumatic psychological issues triggered by the death of his mother.

Seung-Min, on the other hand, is in there for all the wrong reasons. He was framed as mentally unstable by his half-brother who needed to put him away for his own selfish purposes. The two roommates hatch plans of escape but meet with harsh punishment every time they are caught and end up facing possibly life altering shock treatment therapy.

The often hard-to-watch brutal environment of mental institutions is softened by the warm-hearted community of inmates who take care of each other in their own inventive ways, showing how the bonds of trust and friendship can sometimes lead to a road of healing.

22. Ode to My Father (2014): 8.0

On the 73rd anniversary of the Korean War, “Ode to My Father” (2014) stands as one of the most moving films  about a war that divided thousands of families caught in the crosshairs in the battle for Korea.

This film captures the sweeping history of modern Korea and the sacrifices it took to go from one of the poorest nations in the world to one of the most prosperous, in one generation. “Ode to My Father” also shows that for many, financial success can’t heal the persistent ache felt from being separated from family members after the Korean War.

Set against the backdrop of the Korean War, “Ode to My Father”, directed by Yoon Je-kyoon, follows the fictional life of Deok-soo (played by Hwang Jung-min), a young boy whose family was separated during the tumultuous evacuation onto the ship that took him to the South. With an unwavering determination to reunite his family, Deok-soo embarks on a journey that spans five decades, crossing paths with extraordinary characters and enduring incredible hardships. The film skillfully weaves together historical events and personal narratives, making it an emotional rollercoaster that resonates deeply with audiences.

23. Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds (2017): 8.0

According to the laws of Ja-hong’s afterlife, every human must undergo seven trials over 49 days after death. Only those who pass these trials in the seven hells of murder, sloth, deceit, injustice, betrayal, violence, and familial disloyalty can be reincarnated and begin a new life.

“Mr. Kim Ja-hong, you have successfully died as scheduled today.”

Firefighter Ja-hong, who died saving a young girl from a fire, finds himself confronted by afterlife guardians. Struggling to accept his death, Ja-hong is praised as a righteous deceased and a noble soul. This is a stroke of luck for Ja-hong’s three guardians, who were promised that if they help 49 souls reincarnate over a thousand years, they too will be granted reincarnation as humans. Ja-hong is their 48th soul and the first noble soul they’ve encountered in 19 years.

Based on the webtoon by author Joo Ho-min, this film was planned from the beginning as a two-part series: “Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds” and “Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days.” Both films achieved major box office success, setting new records in the history of Korean cinema with each surpassing ten million viewers.

Watch on Viki  or Watch on Amazon Prime Video

24. Inside Men (2015): 7.9

An influential presidential candidate and a chaebol chairman are the masters of their universe. Their efforts, to no small degree, are supported by political thug Ahn Sang-goo (Lee Byung-hun). And behind the scenes of their backdoor deals is renowned columnist Lee Kang-hee (Baek Yoon-sik), who holds sway over public opinion in South Korea.

Hungry for greater success, Ahn Sang-goo attempts to leverage their slush fund files for his own gain, but his plans are uncovered, leaving him a broken man.

Prosecutor Woo Jang-hoon (Cho Seung-woo) has always been overlooked for promotions due to his lack of connections and pedigree. He finally gets his chance as the lead investigator in a major slush fund investigation just before the presidential election. However, when Ahn Sang-goo intercepts the files, the investigation collapses, and Woo Jang-hoon is demoted, shouldering the blame.

Determined to avenge himself against those who ruined him, Ahn Sang-goo teams up with Woo Jang-hoon. In this intricate game of power, betrayal, and revenge, who will be the last one standing? “Inside Men” delves into the scandals of Korea’s elite, hinting that reality might be even more sordid than commoners imagine.

25. Mal-Mo-E (2019): 7.9

The film “ Mal-Mo-E ” portrays the poignant tale of ordinary individuals coming together in the 1940s, a time when the Japanese colonial regime banned the use of Korean. In 1941, Kim Pan-su faces a crisis as his son Deok-jin’s school tuition is due, leading him to attempt stealing a bag from Jung-hwan at Keijo Station, only to fail and be forced out of his job at Dae Dong Ah Theatre. Later, Pan-su goes for an interview at the Korean Language Society introduced by Teacher Jo, where the representative happens to be none other than Jung-hwan.

“Mal-Mo-E” is a Korean term meaning ‘dictionary’ and this film is based on a beautiful true story. While there are many films about the independence movement during the Japanese colonial era, this film stands out for focusing on Hangul, a Korean native script. Watch it with your entire family, and as you watch the illiterate Yoo learn to read and write, you’ll all be inspired to learn more Korean!

26. Okja (2017): 7.9

A South Korean-American co-production, “Okja” is a family-friendly film by the acclaimed director Bong Joon-Ho and is probably among the best-known Korean movies on Netflix. The story of “Okja” centers around the story of a pig that has been genetically engineered to be of massive size and to produce pork of the finest quality.

Many such pigs were distributed by a company all over the world to farmers, and the one that turned out to be the best of the lot is the eponymous pig, Okja. When the company takes Okja away, her owner, a little girl called Mija, decides to rescue Okja from being slaughtered. This takes Mija from her small village to Seoul, and from there to the United States.

A highly entertaining watch, “Okja” is very different from what we have come to associate with Bong Joon-Ho. The film is smartly written, has its moments of brilliance, and is certainly one of the best Korean movies on Netflix.

27. The Handmaiden (2016): 7.9

This R-rated suspense tale is not for the faint of heart. A visually stunning work of cinematography, “The Handmaiden” is a story of love and betrayal set when Korea was under the Japanese occupation. There are many twists and turns in this Korean movie that stars Kim Tae-ri in a role that will shock many who saw her as the prudish and proper Aegi-ssi in “Mr. Sunshine”.

Watch on Fandango at Home ($3.99)

28. New World (2013): 7.9

“New World” is a stylish gangster film that proves that Lee Jung-jae is not only a veteran of the big screen but has somehow also managed not to age in a decade. Set in the gritty underworld of modern Korean organized crime, the story follows Ja-sung (Lee Jung-jae), as an undercover police officer who is torn between his duty to the law and his loyalty to his criminal “family.”

“New World” is a thought-provoking Korean crime thriller that is well worth watching, though viewers should expect the violence and gore that can be expected with films of this genre.

Watch on Amazon Prime Video  or  Watch on Viki

29. Decision to Leave (2022): 7.9

What unfolds when suspicion turns into obsession? Acclaimed director Park Chan-wook, known for “Oldboy” and “The Handmaiden” and winner of the Cannes Best Director award in 2022, returns with a mesmerizing romantic thriller that showcases his distinctive style at its most captivating.

Detective Hae-joon (Park Hae-il) arrives at a murder scene and begins to suspect that the victim’s wife, Seo-rae (Tang Wei), harbors secrets. As Hae-joon delves deeper into the case, he becomes entangled in a labyrinth of deceit and passion, revealing that the darkest enigmas reside within the human heart.

Watch on Apple TV+ ($3.99)

30. The Man Standing Next (2020): 7.9

The story unfolds in 1979, amidst the 18-year authoritarian reign of South Korean President Park, focusing on his relationship with his trusted aide. Kim Gyu-pyung, head of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA), grapples with doubts about the president’s intentions yet remains fiercely loyal. When the former KCIA director flees to the United States with a trove of classified information, Kim Jong-eun is tasked with suppressing the truth. However, as the government’s deceitful schemes unravel, tensions escalate, alliances falter, and the once unassailable leadership confronts the harsh reality that even the mighty are mortal.

The film depicts a pivotal moment in South Korean history: the assassination of President Park Chung-hee on October 26, 1979, marking one of the nation’s most significant historical events. It unfolds over the course of approximately 40 days leading up to that fateful day.

31. Coin Locker Girl (2015): 7.9

A baby is found abandoned inside a  coin locker  at Western Seoul train station in 1996. A beggar takes her and names her Il-young ( Kim Go-eun ). But when she turns 10, Il-young is taken by a corrupt detective who sells her off (as part of a loan shark payment) to a woman referred to simply as Mother ( Kim Hye-soo ). Mother runs a loan shark and organ trafficking  crime ring in Chinatown,  Incheon. Infamously ruthless, she has held on to her position of power by keeping by her side only those of use to her.

Mother decides to raise the young child after Il-young shows toughness and smarts, eventually grooming her for a position in the organization as a debt collector. One day, Il-young must collect from Suk-hyun ( Park Bo-gum ), the son of a debtor. She is initially taken aback when Suk-hyun shows her kindness and shares his own struggles. But when his father flees from his debt, Mother orders her to kill Suk-hyun.

Unexpected twists follow as Il-young contemplates eliminating the first and only friend she has ever known.

Watch on Amazon Prime Video ($3.99)

32. Exhuma (2024): 7.9

In Los Angeles, the shaman Hwalim and Bonggil receive a lucrative commission and encounter the eldest son of a household plagued by a mysterious illness. Realizing the ominous significance of the ancestral grave site, Hwalim advises a relocation, and they are joined by the top feng shui expert Sangdeok and the funeral director Younggeun. A mysterious gravesite shrouded in an aura where no one should be buried. Although Sangdeok senses an ominous presence and initially declines the offer, persuasion from Hwalim eventually leads to the commencement of the exhumation. Revealing what should never have emerged.

Director Jang Jae-hyun debuted with “The Priests” (2015), lauded for its craftsmanship. His follow-up, “Svaha” (2019), also garnered acclaim. Both were finely executed occult horror films, and his latest, “Exhuma,” continues in this genre. (He wrote the screenplay for all three.) “Exhuma” notably became the first Korean occult film to surpass one million viewers.

Watch on Amazon Prime Video ($4.99)

33. Sunny (2011): 7.9

“My Friend, Our Memories ‘Sunny’ The brightest moment, we were all together!”

Nami, a transfer student from Jeolla Province’s Beolgyo, becomes a target for teasing on her first day due to her explosive dialect when nervous. However, a group of extraordinary friends comes to her aid: loyalty queen Chun-hwa, tomboy Rose risking her life with double eyelids, leader of the cursing battles Jin-hee, literary girl Geum-ok with super strength, dimension-hopping dreamer Bok-hee aspiring to be Miss Korea, and the haughty Ice Princess Suzy. Joining them, Nami uses her grandmother’s inherited dialect skills to triumph in a showdown against rival group ‘Girls’ Generation’ at the school festival. The seven close friends swear to stay together forever, forming the ‘Sunny’ group, but on the day of the festival, an unexpected accident scatters them.

Twenty-five years later, Nami, now with a successful husband and a beautiful daughter, feels something is missing, just two percent short of fulfillment. One day, she reunites joyfully with Chun-hwa, ‘Sunny’ leader, and resolves to find the other members. Breaking free from her routine tied to family, Nami embarks on a journey to reunite with her friends from the past, recalling the dazzling friendship of those happiest moments.

34. Assassination (2015): 7.9

In 1933, a time when the homeland was lost, the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea designated three individuals for a critical assassination mission, ensuring they remained hidden from the Japanese. These operatives are Ahn Ok-yun, a sniper from the Korean Independence Army; Sok-sapo, a graduate of the New Military Academy; and Hwang Deok-sam, an explosives expert.

Yeom Seok-jin, head of the Provisional Government’s police department and a trusted confidant of Kim Gu, is tasked with locating them. Their targets are Kawaguchi Mamoru, the commander of the Japanese forces in Korea, and Kang In-guk, a pro-Japanese collaborator. Meanwhile, a contract killer known as Hawaii Pistol hired for a substantial sum, is on their trail.

Their unpredictable fates intertwine as they pursue the mission to assassinate the pro-Japanese collaborators.

This film focuses on the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea’s mission to eliminate pro-Japanese collaborators during the Japanese colonial period. Inspired by a real assassination attempt in March 1932 on Ugaki Kazushige, the Japanese Army General and Governor-General of Korea, the film notably highlights Kim Won-bong, a relatively underappreciated figure in the history of the independence movement.

35. The Attorney (2013): 7.9

In the early 1980s in Busan, Song Woo-seok (played by Song Kang-ho) is a tax lawyer with no connections, no money, and limited education. Despite these challenges, he excels with his exceptional business acumen, becoming the most successful and wealthy lawyer in Busan, handling everything from real estate registrations to tax consultations. He is even scouted by major corporations and is on the brink of making a national debut as a lawyer.

However, Song’s career takes an unexpected turn when he learns that Jin-woo (played by Im Si-wan), the son of a rice soup restaurant owner who helped him out seven years ago, is involved in a serious incident and is facing trial. Unable to ignore the desperate plea of Jin-woo’s mother, Soon-ae (played by Kim Young-ae), Song offers to at least visit Jin-woo in detention. Shocked by Jin-woo’s condition, Song decides to take on the case that everyone else is avoiding.

“I’ll do it, as his lawyer. I will take on this case.”

This film chronicles the life of a human rights lawyer active in Busan during the 1980s. It is inspired by former President Roh Moo-hyun and the Burim case he defended.

36. Escape from Mogadishu (2021): 7.8

To secure South Korea’s membership in the UN, Ambassador Han Sin-seong arranged a meeting with the Somali president in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. En route with gifts for the president, provided by South Korean NIS agent Kang Dae-jin, they were ambushed by Somali rebels. The rebels stole the gifts and damaged their car, forcing them to proceed on foot. Despite their efforts, they missed the appointment and the meeting was canceled.

Ambassador Han suspected North Korean Ambassador Rim Yong-su orchestrated the sabotage, leading to heightened tensions between the North and South. Amidst this political friction, South Korea’s Kang Dae-jin and North Korea’s Tae Joon-gi clashed intensely.

Meanwhile, Somalia descended into chaos due to uncontrollable riots led by rebels. In the midst of this turmoil, the South Korean embassy, with assistance from Somali police, managed to safeguard its premises. However, the North Korean embassy was attacked by rebels, leaving its staff with no choice but to seek refuge at the South Korean embassy.

In the extreme chaos of Mogadishu, can the North and South work together to escape? Based on real events, “Escape from Mogadishu” proves the adage that truth is sometimes stranger than fiction.

37. The Outlaws (2017): 7.8

In 2004, a gang fight erupts in Garibong-dong’s Chinatown, where Detective Ma Suk-do (Played by Don Lee) intervenes, seizing a knife used as evidence. Subsequently, he links the crime to a stabbing at a billiards hall involving the Doksa gang. Pursuing justice, Suk-do raids the Doksa’s hideout apprehends the culprit, and brokers a fragile peace between rival factions.

Tensions escalate when the Doksa leader faces brutal punishment from the Heukryong faction over a debt, leading to deadly retaliation. Suk-do tries to maintain order amidst escalating violence, including incidents at a nightclub owned by Hwang Chun-sik, whose brother is gravely injured. As Suk-do tracks the Heukryong, chaos ensues during a raid, resulting in injuries to Detective Kang Hong-seok and the escape of the Heukryong members.

The conflict intensifies as Jang Chen takes over the Isupa’s arcade, sparking further retaliation. Suk-do intervenes, capturing Jang Chen’s lieutenant at a critical moment. Amidst these tensions, a tragic turn occurs at Jang Yi-soo’s mother’s birthday celebration, where Jang Chen kills Yi-soo. With tensions escalating, how will Suk-do resolve this volatile situation?

38. Broker (2022): 7.8

The film follows a couple of baby brokers who sell orphaned infants on the black market to affluent couples. Complications arise when one of the babies’ mothers return in order to ensure that her child finds a happy home. The three adults, with infant in tow, then set forth on their mission and in the process forges an odd family of their own.

Meanwhile, Detective Soo-jin (played by Bae Doona) and her junior partner, Detective Lee (played by Lee Joo-young), who have been monitoring the entire process, quietly follow them, aiming to catch them red-handed and conclude their six-month investigation. Thus begins an unexpected and special journey for those who unintentionally met at the baby box.

39. The Way Home (2002): 7.7

Taking a train, then a bus, and walking along a dusty country road, seven-year-old Sang-woo and his mother head to his grandmother’s house. Due to financial difficulties, Sang-woo’s mother decides to leave him with his grandmother for a while. Sang-woo is left at his grandmother’s remote country house, where she lives alone and cannot speak or read. Coming from a world of electronic games and rollerblades, Sang-woo finds the village shop that doesn’t sell batteries, the rocky yard, and the dark outhouse to be the first hardships he has ever faced.

The grandmother never scolds her mischievous grandson. But the more time they spend together, the more Sang-woo finds ways to trouble his grandmother. He steals a silver hairpin from her hair while she sleeps to buy batteries, and rides his rollerblades noisily next to her while she mends socks.

One day, craving fried chicken, Sang-woo uses all kinds of gestures to explain to his grandmother what he wants. Just when it seems like they are finally communicating, she returns from the market with a chicken she cooks into boiled chicken, not the fried chicken Sang-woo had hoped for. Can this odd couple be anything other than disastrous roommates?

Watch on Amazon Prime Video ($3.99)  or Watch on Apple TV+ ($3.99)

40. Road to Boston (2023): 7.7

At the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Korean marathoner Sohn Kee-chung, set a world record and won a gold medal for Japan as Son Kitei. On the medal podium he covered the Japanese flag on his chest with a potted plant. Overnight, he became a national hero, but that action prompted the Japanese government, which colonized Korea from 1910-1945, to ban Sohn from competitive running.

In 1947 post-liberation Seoul, the Korean hero of the Berlin Olympics, makes a proposal to running prodigy Seo Yun-bok, who is highly regarded as the second Sohn Kee-chung. Training together, Sohn and Seo begin their road to the Boston Marathon, and the road to Korea’s first Olympics in 1948.

41. Train to Busan (2016): 7.6

Suk-woo (played by Gong Yoo), a fund manager, boards a train to Busan with his daughter. Meanwhile, an unidentified virus spreads nationwide, prompting South Korea to declare a state of emergency. The virus, previously only seen on the news, infiltrates the train.

To survive, Suk-woo, along with Seong-kyeong (Jung Yu-mi), Sang-hwa (Ma Dong-seok), Su-an (Kim Su-an), Yong-suk (Kim Eui-sung), and others, each endures in their own ways. The distance from Seoul to Busan is 442 kilometers. The extreme battle to protect their loved ones and those they wish to save begins now. Will they make it to Busan safely?

42. Joint Security Area (2000): 7.6

In the early hours of October 28, a gunfight erupts at Panmunjom , resulting in the fatal shooting of North Korean guard Jeong Woo-jin. Following this incident, the North and South present conflicting statements, each offering differing accounts of what transpired.

The case is referred to Sophie, a Joint Security officer, to investigate. Coming to Korea for the first time, she faces significant challenges from the outset.

“Joint Security Area” is based on the novel “DMZ” by Park Sang-hyun. The film centers around a mysterious incident at Panmunjom , where a soldier is killed while on duty. As investigators collect testimonies from various soldiers present at the scene, hidden secrets begin to surface.

The film masterfully portrays the tragedy of the North-South division, creating an extraordinary level of immersion and tension. With the outstanding performances of the cast, “JSA” is a gripping thriller that captivates audiences from start to finish, ensuring there is never a dull moment. It stands as a true cinematic masterpiece.

43. I Saw the Devil (2010): 7.6

Soo-hyun (Played by Lee Byung-hun), head of the National Intelligence Service’s security team, receives a troubling call from his fiancée, Joo-yeon, stranded with a flat tire. She mentions a stranger offering assistance, sparking Soo-hyun’s unease. Little did he know, this would be their final conversation—Joo-yeon encounters serial killer Jang Kyung-chul (Played by Choi Min-shik), who gruesomely murders her. Adding to the tragedy, she was pregnant with Soo-hyun’s child, a revelation he hadn’t known.

Consumed by guilt, Soo-hyun takes a leave of absence to pursue justice. As Soo-hyun and the killer engage in a battle of wits and skills, Soo-hyun faces the daunting question: must he become as ruthless as the killer to achieve justice?

This film grips you from the outset with its intense brutality and horror, immersing you in a visceral confrontation with pure evil. It’s a chilling crime thriller that keeps you on edge, prompting reflection on the outcomes and motivations, delivering a haunting and suspenseful journey into the depths of vengeance.

44. The Thieves (2012): 7.5

A Korean team of thieves—Poppai, Yennicol, Chipdeongkem, and Jepano—find themselves lured into a new heist plan in Hong Kong by their former partner Macau Park from Macau. Their group is unexpectedly joined by the just-released safe cracker Papsi, all dreaming of their biggest score yet in Hong Kong. Waiting for them in Hong Kong are four skilled Chinese thieves—Chen, Andrew, Julie, and Johnny—who eye their Korean counterparts with suspicion amidst escalating tension.

In this tightly wound suspense, Macau Park reveals their target: the fabled “Tears of the Sun” diamond hidden in a Macau casino. Despite the immense risk and uncertain success, drawn by a $20 million offer, they dive into the heist.

The film initially drew comparisons to “Ocean’s Eleven”. What set it apart was their exploration of betrayal amidst collaboration as thieves, adding depth to the storyline. Whether by design or fate, this complexity defined the film’s essence.

45. Concrete Utopia (2023): 7.5

“Concrete Utopia” opens with a riveting visual narrative, tracing Seoul’s remarkable journey from post-war ruins to becoming one of the costliest real estate markets in the world. This frenzied period of phenomenal economic growth allowed many Seoulites to get rich overnight just by buying and selling their precious apartments. This backdrop sets the stage for an apocalyptic twist when an earthquake devastates the city, leaving survivors to seek shelter in the only remaining apartment building standing in the city.

“Concrete Utopia,” was one of the biggest hits at the Korean box office in 2023 and is now streaming globally on Viki Rakuten. A solid addition to the post-apocalyptic genre, the film is based on a webtoon called “Cheerful Outcast”. Under the direction of Um Tae-hwa, the film stars Lee Byung-hun in a standout role as the appointed leader. Accompanying Lee is a talented ensemble including Park Bo-young and Kim Sun-young (“Reply 1988”), alongside Park Seo-joon of “Itaewon Class” fame, whose talent is sadly underutilized in this film.

Watch on Viki ($5.99)

46. The Berlin File (2013): 7.5

While monitoring illegal arms trading in Berlin, NIS agent Jung Jin-soo (Played by Han Suk-kyu) discovers the presence of North Korean secret agent Pyo Jong-seong (Played by Ha Jung-woo). In his pursuit to uncover Pyo Jong-seong’s identity, Jung Jin-soo uncovers a vast international conspiracy. Meanwhile, Dong Myeong-seong (Played by Ryu Seung-beom), aiming to eliminate Pyo Jong-seong and take control of Betelin, frames Pyo Jong-seong’s wife, Yeon Jung-hee (Played by Jun Ji-hyun), as a traitor. Pyo Jong-seong, chasing after Yeon Jung-hee to prove her innocence, learns of a conspiracy involving North Korea and Dong Myeong-seong. Together with Jung Jin-soo, who was pursuing him, Pyo Jong-seong attempts to rescue his wife.

“The Berlin File,” now on Netflix, kicks off with a tense arms deal gone awry, plunging viewers into a gripping tale of espionage between North and South Korea. Starring Han Suk-kyu and Jun Ji-Hyun, alongside Ha Jung-woo’s award-winning performance, the film masterfully intertwines action with a poignant love story against the backdrop of Cold War-era Berlin. Filmed across Europe, Director Ryoo aimed for emotional depth akin to “The Bourne Identity,” exploring the solitude of spies. Released in 2013, it quickly became Korea’s highest-grossing action film, resonating with themes of Korean reunification amid global changes. Despite its intricate plot, the stellar cast ensures an immersive experience, leaving audiences eagerly anticipating its sequel.

47. Minari (2020): 7.5

Director Isaac Chung’s poignant semi-autobiographical drama, “Minari,” explores a rarely depicted facet of the American dream. Starring Steven Yeun as the patriarch, the film follows a Korean immigrant family’s journey from Los Angeles to rural Arkansas in the 1980s to pursue farming. Alongside Yeun, Yeri Han plays his wife, Monica, navigating the challenges of their new life with their spirited children Anne (Noel Kate Cho) and David (Alan Kim), as well as the irrepressible grandmother Soonja (Youn Yuh-jung).

“Minari” made history at the 2021 Academy Awards with six nominations, including Best Picture, marking the first nomination for an Asian American lead actor (Steven Yeun). Youn Yuh-jung also received acclaim, becoming the first Korean performer to win Best Supporting Actress for her role as the family’s grandmother. Writer-director Lee Isaac Chung, drawing from his own childhood, earned nominations for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. The film also received a nod for Best Original Score, completing its array of accolades at the awards.

48. Miracle in Cell No. 7 (2013): 7.5

This film is about the love between a mentally anguished father and his adorably lovely daughter. Unjustly prosecuted for murder and rape charges, Young-goo is imprisoned for murder and builds friendships with resolute criminals inside. In return, he smuggles his daughter into the prison to reunite with her.

In this heartfelt comedy, we delve into the bond between a father grappling with mental illness and his loving daughter. Despite his emotional turmoil, his deep affection for her is unmistakable, reciprocated by her unwavering love and understanding. Beneath their close relationship lies a poignant tale of a father unjustly accused of murder and rape, adding tragic depth to their narrative.

Set against the backdrop of prison life, the film seamlessly blends comedy with a somber atmosphere, revealing unexpected moments of humanity within confinement. Each character, from Ryu Seung-yong’s compelling portrayal of the father to Gal So-won’s endearing performance as the daughter, enriches the storyline. It emphasizes that true character transcends social status, reminding us of the value of simplicity and a compassionate heart, even amidst adversity.

49. The Wailing (2016): 7.5

After a mysterious outsider (Played by Jun Kunimura) arrives, a series of baffling incidents disrupts the village. While the police initially attribute the chaos to mass poisoning from wild mushrooms, rumors quickly spread that link everything to the stranger. Officer Jong-gu (Played by Kwak Do-won) meets Moo-myeong (Played by Cheon Woo-hee), a witness whose account solidifies his suspicions about the outsider. When Jong-gu’s daughter Hyo-jin (Played by Kim Hwan-hee) starts experiencing symptoms similar to the victims, Jong-gu grows increasingly desperate. He searches for the stranger and enlists the help of shaman Il-gwang (Played by Hwang Jung-min).

“The Wailing” delves into profound societal fears beyond mere supernatural horror within the South Korean film industry. This Korean horror thriller skillfully mixes supernatural dread with psychological tension, exploring a world where the line between reality and the supernatural blurs.

50. Pandora (2016): 7.4

In a quaint village near the southern coast of Korea, the townspeople rely on the local nuclear power plant for their livelihood. Though many have nagging concerns about the safety of the plant it isn’t until an earthquake hits that people are forced to wake up and face the consequences of the decades of neglect that now put the entire nation at risk.

Based on a true story of widespread corruption in Korea’s nuclear facilities inspection certifications, “Pandora” explores the devastating risks that nuclear energy dependent countries like Korea take as a trade off for cheap energy. “Pandora” is a thrilling and moving story centered around a family that struggles to stay together through a disaster that threatens to end life not only for them but for their entire nation.

Related Articles

• [ Review] ‘Road to Boston’ Shares an Incredible Chapter in Marathon History
• “Beyond Utopia”: Fleeing from Paradise, a Chilling Documentary About Escaping North Korea
• [Review] “1212: The Day”, How a Nine-Hour Coup Seized Control of a Nation
• “Ode to My Father”, an Epic Korean War Story is Now Streaming Free on Tubi
• [Review] “Past Lives”: When 8,000 Lifetimes Aren’t Enough

Author:  Hanyoo Park

Hanyoo Park is a writer and content creator for Best of Korea focusing on K-Dramas and Restaurants. She was born in Seoul and currently lives and works in Manhattan. She is a mom to a middle schooler and a proud maximalist who loves everything about Korean American life. Read More From Hanyoo Park

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10 Goblin KDrama Filming Locations You Should Visit

The Goblin KDrama was an instant hit worldwide when it was first shown in Korean cable television network tvN in 2016. With an English title Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, it starred Korean actor Gong Yoo (Kim Shin) as the immortal Goblin himself looking for a bride that will help him ascend to the afterlife. Actress Kim Go-Eun (Ji Eun-Tak) portrayed the Goblin’s bride, a lonely and orphaned high school girl with paranormal ability who was often bullied by her aunt and cousins. Korean actors Lee Dong-Wook (Grim Reaper) and Yoo In-na (Sunny) were also among the main characters of the series that sparked a successful team-up between the two.

The hit Korean drama is among the top-rated romance fiction in the history of Korean television. Its storyline was carefully woven to thread each character’s life stories. In every chapter, there are always exciting revelations that will make you want to go on every episode after the other.

Aside from an impressive storyline, Goblin also has amazing cinematography that features scenic filming locations. With the success of the Goblin KDrama, some Korean destinations also became popular. Due to their cameos on the hit Kdrama, avid fans are now flooding Goblin’s different filming locations to experience the Korean drama craze.

In this article, we will tour you on the most loved Goblin Kdrama filming locations as we recall the mysterious story of the lonely and the great god. If you haven’t watched the series yet, you may want to get started as this contains some spoilers.

Naju Image Theme Park – The Beginning

Let’s head towards where the story all started. After a victorious battle against their enemies, Kim Shin, who was then a faithful general of Goryeo (old Korean empire) and a hero to the people, returned to the palace only to meet his death. In the influence of an evil advisor, King Wang Yeo (Kim Min Jae) ordered the death of the general for supposedly overshadowing his image on his empire. Kim Shin will only be spared only if he banishes from the palace. Should he refuse, his loved ones will suffer the same fate – including Kim Sun (Kim So Hyun), Shin’s sister and the young king’s wife.

In the request of her sister, Kim Shin refused to leave which led to their demise. Kim Sun succumbed to an arrow while Kim Shin was stabbed using his sword. All these happened in front of the young king. As if death is not enough, Kim Shin became an immortal goblin so he would live with the pain until he finds a bride. The young king, on the other hand, grew regretful of what he’s done and died on his mid-age.

These scenes were all filmed in Naju Image Theme Park, a large-scale set worth $15.5 million. It features authentic looking castles and tile-roofed houses that give visitors an experience of old Korea. It has various spots perfect for sightseeing and taking pictures. Aside from Goblin, this film set also served as a backdrop to many historical Kdramas like Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, Kingdom of the Wind, and Jumong.

Location: 450 Deogeum-ro, Gongsan-myeon, Naju, Jeollanam-do

Samcheongdong Doldamgil – The First Encounter

Remember the first encounter between Kim Shin and Eun-Tak? It was legendary. It was pouring and suddenly everything turned slowmo as the two crossed paths. This romantic scene was shot in Samcheongdong, an old neighborhood in Seoul, known for its traditional houses and stonewalls. In the heat of the Goblin Kdrama, many have visited the area to recreate and make a parody of the famous scene. But nothing beats the original.

Before playing a cameo for the Korean drama, Samcheongdong is already popular for those who want to experience the traditional Korean lifestyle. Walking around the alleys of the village will lead you to many Korean cafe’s, shops, and craft workshops. You can also find Korean street food stalls that offer delectable snacks to visitors.

Aside from shops and cafes, there are also galleries and museums which you can visit in the area. To reach Samcheongdong, you can take the Seoul Subway Line 3 then jump off in Anguk Station Exit 1.

Location: Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Jumunjin Beach – The Birthday Summon

This filming location is one of the most important sites in the Goblin Kdrama series and a favorite among fans. Essentially, this is where the main characters first met when Eun-Tak accidentally summoned Shin. It was her birthday when the sad Eun-Tak decided to buy herself a cake and celebrate her day on the breakwater. As she blew the candles, the Goblin himself appeared from nowhere holding buckwheat flowers.

Due to the popularity of that scene, Jumunjin Beach also became an instant go-to place for Korean drama fans. Photos are all over the web recreating the scene where Eun-Tak and Shin standing next to each other by the beach.

Jumunjin Beach is located in Gangneung city in Gangwon-do. From Seoul, you can reach the area by taking a bus going to Jumunjin or Gangneung. The nearest drop off point to the beach is the Jumunjin Express Bus Central Terminal, so it would require a short walk to reach the area. There are several breakwaters in Jumunjin Beach, but you can easily identify the specific spot as there’s a signpost that says it is the one.

Location: 81-68 Gyohang-ri, Jumunjin-eup, Gangneung, Gangwon-do

Deoksugung Stonewall Road – Where The Goblin Meets The Grim Reaper

It may look similar to the stonewall where Shin and Eun-Tak first met, but Deoksugung Stonewall Road is a different filming location. It is through this wall where the Goblin saw the Grim Reaper in his tea house. The stonewall serves as the Grim Reaper’s workplace.

In reality, no tea house or a grim reaper is living through the wall. It is part of the Deoksugung Palace which is famous for couples taking a late-night stroll. The wall is also becoming a favorite backdrop of visitors taking photos for the ‘gram.

If you are planning to visit the area, you can hop on the Seoul Subway Line 1 or 2 and take the City Hall exit 2. The stonewall road runs a total of 1.1 km. As you walk along the path, you can also see the Goblin’s house which is our next destination.

Location: 99 Sejongdaero, Jung-gu, Seoul

Unhyeongung Western House – The Unexpected Rommies

The last thing you would want is to live with a Goblin – a soul protector, and a Grim Reaper – a soul collector. Odd is, it happened to Yoo Deok‑Hwa (Yook Sungjae), the last descendant of the boy who promised to be a faithful servant of Kim Shin. Living together, the Goblin and the Grim Reaper’s relationship was very chaotic, but their fights often led to funny moments.

These funny scenes were filmed at the Unhyeongung Western House inside the campus of Duksung Women’s University. This exquisite white house was formerly a royal residence until it was sold in 1948. Today, it is one of the gems of Korea that belong to the country’s cultural properties.

Nowadays, the residence serves as a museum that you can enjoy for free. Visitors can also explore the building’s surroundings and take photos on the facade. To get there, hop on to Seoul Subway Line 3 going to Anguk Station and take exit 4.

Location: 464 Samil-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Yongdap Station Footbridge – Grim Reaper Meets Sunny

Grim Reaper is not as cold-hearted as we think of him all along. The footbridge in Yongdap Station is a witness to that when the Grim Reaper met there her girl, Sunny. Grim reaper was about to pick up a jade ring sold by an old lady when suddenly, Sunny picked it up first. Upon seeing her, tears dropped from the Grim Reaper’s eyes for no reason, not knowing that their lives were already intertwined since the beginning.

Aside from this scene, several clips of the Goblin Kdrama were also shot at the Yongdap Station Footbridge including the breakup between Sunny and Grim Reaper in a later episode. Due to its popularity, some people changed the footbridge name as Grim Reaper’s Bridge. Some tourists also come to the area just to take photos as if they are in a movie.

More than a tourist attraction, the Yongdap Station Footbridge serves as an essential role in the daily life of local commuters. The footbridge is located right outside of Yongdap Station’s Exit 2.

Location: 159, Salgoji-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul

Hagwon Farm – The Goblin’s Secret Garden

The wide, blossoming buckwheat field is a hideout for Kim Shin. It holds a bittersweet memory for our main character as it is where he was buried and met the curse of being a goblin. However, the buckwheat garden is also where Shin and Eun-Tak first kissed.

In reality, Hagwon Farm is a tourist garden in Gochang county which offers more than just buckwheat flowers. During spring, Barley grass covers the vast field and in summer, sunflowers take over. It is only around autumn when buckwheat flowers dominate and the area into a white field.

When visiting the garden, you can enjoy a stroll in the rolling fields with a handful of activities like the Green Barley Festival every April. Hagwon Farm is located at Hagwonnongjang-Gil in Gongeum town. It is accessible through a bus ride from Central City Bus Terminal in Seoul and a 30-minute taxi ride from Gochang Bus Terminal.

Location: 158-6, Hagwonnongjang-Gil, Gongeum-myeon, Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do

Sinchon Graffiti Tunnel – The Legendary Walk

It is in this area where one of the funny moments of Kim Shin and the Grim Reaper was filmed. Trying to recreate the moment when they saved Eun-Tak from kidnappers, the two took a dramatic walk through the graffiti tunnel while holding spring onions. What was supposed to be a runway walk was interrupted when a motorist passes between them. Out of surprise, they both leap out of the way that made the scene hilariously funny.

The graffiti tunnel in this scene is located in the neighborhood Sinchon-dong in Seoul. Aside from Goblin, it also made appearances in several Korean drama series such as My First Love (Netflix), While You Were Sleeping (SBS), and The Best Hit (KBS2). Every now and then, the tunnel is being repainted to be Instagram ready.

If you wish to recreate the scene, you should go to Sinchon Station Gyeongui Line and take Exit 2. On your left, follow the road in 200-300 meters and you should find the tunnel on your left side. If you are coming from the other side, you can use Megabox Sinchon as a landmark. Following the building will lead you to stairs going down the tunnel.

Location: 92-18 Sinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

BBQ Olive Chicken Cafe – The Part-Time Job

A lot of stories have unfolded in this Golin filming location. In need of money for college, Eun-Tak served as a part-timer in the cafe which Sunny owns. Eventually, the two developed a friendship with Sunny playing an older sister figure for Eun-Tak. Her strange affection for Eun-Tak made sense in the later episodes as Sunny turned out to be the reincarnation of the Goblin’s sister.

BBQ Olive Chicken Cafe is as it is in reality. It is a Korean cafe with several branches throughout Seoul. The earlier part of the series was filmed in a smaller Gangnam branch until they move to the Jongno store. It is also in the Jongno branch where the 4 main characters first met altogether.

If you want to visit the Gangnam branch, you can hop on Seoul Subway Line 3 going to Daecheong Station and take Exit 5. If you prefer the bigger place, you should go to Jonggak Station via Seoul Subway Line 1 Exit 4.

Gangnam Location: 687-2 Ilwon-dong, Gangnam District Jongno Location: (Cheonggyecheon 81) 11-5 Gwancheol-dong, Jongno District

Café Zino – Where The Goblin And His Bride Have Steak

Café Zino is another cafe that was featured in the hit Goblin Kdrama. In the series, it appeared as a restaurant in Canada where Kim Shin and Eun-Tak frequently eat steak. Surprisingly, fans don’t have to go to Canada just to visit the place as it is only located in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.

However, you won’t find Eun-Tak’s favorite steak here. The restaurant specializes in Italian cuisine and offers visitors with cozy and fine dining experience. Interior wise, it has a time stylish ambiance that provides an English setting vibe to visitors. The cafe also has an exquisite exterior design that reminds of British architecture.

Café Zino is located in the town of Tanhyeon. It is relatively hard to reach the place from Seoul if you don’t have your vehicle. It would require you a train ride going to Hapjeong Station and several minutes of bus rides to and from Heyri Art Village.

Location: 94-5 Daedong-ri, Tanhyeon-myeon, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do

There you go with the must-visit Goblin Kdrama filming locations. When you’re in Korea, never miss to drop by in these places to recreate the moments in favorite drama series. It’s already 2020, but that doesn’t mean that these places are already out of fashion. As they say, the Goblin Kdrama is timeless, so are its filming locations.

Best Time To Visit South Korea

Spring is undoubtedly the best time to visit South Korea. Unlike the freezing winter, the temperature during spring is mild that allows people to fully enjoy outdoor activities. Spring is also considered as a shoulder-season for Korea, which means it is less crowded and the accommodation is less expensive.

Will I Need a Visa To Visit Korea?

Depending on your nationality, you may or may not need a Visa when visiting South Korea. At some point, the country gives special exceptions regarding the need for a Visa to enter South Korea. For instance, U.S. citizens presently doesn’t need a Visa to enter the country for business or tourism purposes for a given period. This provision also applies to other allies of South Korea.

Why Should I Visit South Korea?

There are plenty of reasons why you should visit South Korea. The country is blessed with changing seasons that make it exciting to travel to or live in. It has a vast range of activities to offer, from exploring its cultural heritage to enjoying its natural wonders. It also has delectable cuisine like the authentic Korean desserts you can only find in the country.

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The Foreigner

A humble businessman with a buried past seeks justice when his daughter is killed in an act of terrorism. A cat-and-mouse conflict ensues with a government official, whose past may hold clue... Read all A humble businessman with a buried past seeks justice when his daughter is killed in an act of terrorism. A cat-and-mouse conflict ensues with a government official, whose past may hold clues to the killers' identities. A humble businessman with a buried past seeks justice when his daughter is killed in an act of terrorism. A cat-and-mouse conflict ensues with a government official, whose past may hold clues to the killers' identities.

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• 547 User reviews
• 137 Critic reviews
• 55 Metascore
• 1 nomination

Top cast 99+

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• Trivia In February 2016, two reports were made to the London Metropolitan Police about a "terrorist attack" made on the Lambeth bridge, after many local citizens were not told about a controlled stunt explosion made on a double decker bus for this movie.
• Goofs Quan Ngoc Minh is supposed to be 61 but his special forces file shows his date of birth as being 1941. This would have made him 76, not 61. This would also have meant that his wife, of the same age, would have been 61 when she conceived Fan. This is most likely an oversight by the team that composed said file.

Liam Hennessy : [shoots McGrath in the knee] That's me being nice!

• Crazy credits The title is shown as a series of Asian-language characters before it changes into its English title.
• Alternate versions Chinese version of film has an extended fight scene and there are a few extra shots in the other fight scenes.
• Connections Featured in The Foreigner: Forces - Behind the Scenes (2017)
• Soundtracks Retrato em Branco e Preto Written by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Chico Buarque Performed by Stan Getz Courtesy of Columbia Records By arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

User reviews 547

• Oct 5, 2017
• What is "The Foreigner" about?
• October 13, 2017 (United States)
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• $35,000,000 (estimated)
• $34,393,507
• $13,113,024
• Oct 15, 2017
• $145,418,070

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• Runtime 1 hour 53 minutes
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How Korea is promoting tourism through movies, food and K-pop

On December 4, the Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO) and PVR Ltd. teamed together for a uniquely tailored Korea Experience Day at PVR Director's Cut, Vasant Kunj, which included a special showing of 'BLACKPINK: The Movie.' The members of the popular K-pop group BLACKPINK, Jisoo, Jennie, Rose, and Lisa, are celebrating the fifth anniversary of their band's debut with this latest release from PVR Pictures.

KTO hosted the event for Hallyu fans in the Delhi NCR region, which included a unique screening of a K-movie, a K-food experience, and a special K-pop photo opportunity. From November 17 to November 22, 2021, a social media contest for Hallyu fans was co-promoted on KTO and PVR Vasant Kunj Director's Cut social media platforms. Thirty lucky winners were chosen to the special screening and experience day.

With the burgeoning Hallyu wave and expanding demand for Korean entertainment in India, KTO has spared no expense in delivering the spirit of South Korea to India's growing Hallyu fan base. Due to the current travel limitations imposed by the continuing pandemic, it has been experimenting with new ways to provide the Korean experience to Indian audiences.

Korea Tourism Organization brings their culture to Indian homes

Here's why Jeju Island, South Korea’s Hawaii, is known as ‘Island of the Gods’

Recently, it teamed with companies for the KXperience, an online event. The event featured a virtual series of K-pop, K-food, K-beauty, and K-drama, as well as a PAN India social media contest by the K-challenge and special discount offers on Korean products on India e-commerce sites. It was aimed at Indian tourists and Hallyu enthusiasts in the country. The main goal of this event was to bring Korea into the homes of Indians. With over 20 million impressions across all online channels and over 3000 content contributions, the event received a lot of affection from people all over India.

"Thanks to the expanding popularity of K-pop and K-dramas, there has been a big increase in overall awareness about South Korea as a destination, its food, and its culture," YG Choi, Director Korea Tourism Organisation, New Delhi, remarked in response to the present occurrence. We intend to take advantage of Indians' newly discovered enthusiasm for Korea and turn it into genuine travel. Once travel has resumed, we will vigorously promote filming locations for popular Korean films and dramas as tourist attractions for Korea fans to visit in the future.

For this special occasion, we are thrilled to be collaborating with PVR theatres. I hope that this collaboration opens up more opportunities for PVR and KTO to collaborate in the future to promote South Korea and reach out to a pan-India audience interested in Korean entertainment."

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Where to Stream the Best of the South Korean Film Renaissance

Propelled by the shocking images of a man eating a live octopus and beating countless combatants to death in a hallway with only a hammer, Park Chan-wook’s Oldboy helped kick open the international doors for South Korean cinema in the 21st century. Upon its release 20 years ago, it became the center of a moment when the world began to give the country’s filmmakers their due; Oldboy won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival and made notable inroads at the U.S. box office. But it wasn’t the only South Korean film from 2003 to find success: Oldboy , Memories of Murder , and A Tale of Two Sisters were all released within a few months of each other — all three stylistically and narratively distinct but indelibly linked by international borders. Where any of them succeeded, the others were there to reward viewers looking to dive deeper into the nation’s films.

The subsequent 20 years, a period sometimes referred to as the “ South Korean Film Renaissance ,” have seen many breakthrough moments for South Korean films and shows. Whether it was the unexpected success of Squid Game or the unprecedented accolades of Parasite , the nation’s movies have given us dozens of reasons to dig deeper into them. Here are 20 South Korean films worth a couple hours of your streaming time, starting with Oldboy , which is now available in a stunning 4K restoration.

Year: 2003 Runtime: 2h Director: Park Chan-wook

Oh Dae-su (Choi Min-sik) is kidnapped for reasons that are never explained to him. In the hotel room that has been converted into a prison, he discovers his wife has been murdered and he’s the primary suspect. That becomes a secondary concern, however, as he’s imprisoned for the next 15 years, fed through a dog door with no one to talk to. Just as mysteriously as he was taken, he’s released and finds he has five days to unravel the mystery of his imprisonment. That’s just the first act. The story barrels forward like a runaway train full of horrors that makes Oldboy a delightfully unique, almost unbearably brutal experience. It’s also just one-third of Park’s Vengeance trilogy — Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance and Lady Vengeance are also excellent.

Memories of Murder

Year: 2003 Runtime: 2h 12m Director: Bong Joon Ho

Bong Joon Ho’s early classic is a tense detective story with a muted palette that makes the detectives feel like they’re alone in a world gone mad. Two bumbling small-town police officers (Song Kang-ho and Kim Roe-ha) are joined by an officer from Seoul (Kim Sang-kyung) to investigate the ritualistic murder of women in a small South Korean town. Based on a true story of murders in the 1980s, Bong displays his mastery at balancing brutality and black humor, and eventually, the psychological damage of the murders takes its toll on both the audience and the characters. The world, Memories of Murder seems to say, cannot find a way to deal with the violent depravity it faces here.

A Tale of Two Sisters

Year: 2003 Runtime: 1h 54m Director: Kim Jee-woon

Sisters Soo-mi (Lim Soon-jung) and Soo-yeon (Moon Geun-young) return to their countryside home after time spent in a psychiatric hospital. The idyllic setting is supposed to bring them peace, but confrontations with their stepmother (Yum Jung-ah) make that an unachievable goal. The sisters endure a series of mysterious incidents that become increasingly nightmarish as director Kim Jee-woon sprints toward a dark and unexpected conclusion. It’s a twisty film that has remained a touchstone in South Korean horror and has had a significant impact on filmmakers around the world: Jordan Peele had Lupita Nyong’o watch it before shooting Us.

Year: 2006 Runtime: 2h Director: Bong Joon Ho

One of the great, underappreciated monster movies of the 21st century, The Host isn’t so much a horror film as a satire that manages to build impressive tension throughout. Yet, in the rich tradition of monster movies, there’s an allegory at the heart of the story of this slimy, tentacled, child-snatching monster living along the Han River. Gang Doo, played by Bong regular Song Kang-ho, leads his family on a mission to save his daughter from the clutches of the creature. Like Godzilla before it, the real monster at the heart of the film is humanity.

Secret Sunshine

Year: 2007 Runtime: 2h 22m Director: Lee Chang-dong

Secret Sunshine is the kind of film that people call lyrical. That might be hard to define, but it’s a felt description more than anything and apt for Lee Chang-dong’s heart-wrenching film. Shin-ae (Jeon Do-yeon) has decided to move to her husband’s homeland as a way of dealing with his death. When her son is kidnapped and murdered, she’s left to mourn the loss of everything she used to define herself, struggling to find meaning in the wake of such a stunning loss. Jeon gives a harrowing performance that earned her Best Actress at Cannes.

The Good the Bad the Weird

Year: 2008 Runtime: 2h 10m Director: Kim Jee-woon

Park Chang-yi, a.k.a. the Finger Chopper (Lee Byung-hun), is hired to rob a Japanese official traveling by train in 1940s Manchuria. He’s ready to double-cross his employer and take a treasure map for himself, but a small-time thief and goofball (Song Kang-ho) gets there first and finds the map by accident. A bounty hunter (Jung Woo-sung) after Chang-yi is also on the train. The sordid series of mishaps that starts the story turns into a race across the desert that is bloody, hilarious, and heavily stylized.

Year: 2009 Runtime: 2h 9m Director: Bong Joon Ho

Mother , in many ways, was a predecessor to Bong’s future success with Parasite . It’s a slow-burning story about the murder of a teenage girl. Kim Hye-ja stars as the unnamed mother of an intellectually disabled boy suspected of the murder. She starts her own investigation into the crime, putting the terrifying depths of unconditional love on display. The mother’s investigation puts her in morally compromising situations where she makes decisions that leave viewers screaming at the screen. Kim’s nuanced performance turns a seemingly straightforward story into something that’ll leave nail marks in your palms.

Year: 2009 Runtime: 2h 14m Director: Park Chan-wook

Park’s foray into horror — somehow less horrifying than many of his non-horror films — produces a distinctively dark meditation on humanity. Song Kang-ho plays a depressed priest who begins to experience odd symptoms after volunteering to test a vaccine. He fears sunlight and has an overwhelming desire to feed on patients at the hospital where he attends to the dying. The changes aren’t just physiological, though. He falls in love with a childhood friend’s wife (Kim Ok-bin). This forbidden romance sets him on a dangerous path that unleashes something far worse than vampirism on the community.

Year: 2010 Runtime: 2h 19m Director: Lee Chang-dong

“Masterpiece” might not be too strong of a word for Lee Chang-dong’s 2010 film. On the surface, it’s a simple story: The melancholic film follows the elderly Mija (Yoon Jeong-hee), a caretaker who lives with her grandson. She is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and chooses to learn something new as she is faced with the terror of forgetting her own life. She joins a community learning poetry, learning to express herself as she loses a sense of self and even language itself. It’s a movie that revels in the subtlety of life, the joy of being alive, and the inevitable pains that are the price of that joy.

I Saw the Devil

Year: 2010 Runtime: 2h 24m Director: Kim Jee-woon

There are a lot of revenge films here that follow in the wake of Oldboy , but something many share is a sense of futility — the sense that being consumed by revenge consumes you in the process. I Saw the Devil might be the subgenre’s violent apotheosis. An intelligence agent (Lee Byung-hun) hunts the person who brutally murdered his pregnant wife, with a desire to make sure that his just desserts are as barbarous as the violence he inflicted on others. It’s a brutal film that’s somehow also peppered with beautiful moments.

The Housemaid

Year: 2010 Runtime: 1h 47m Director: Im Sang-soo

The Housemaid is a remake of a 1960 film of the same name, an iconic film of South Korea’s so-called golden age. Eun-yi (Jeon Do-yeon) slips into a treacherous love triangle while working as a housemaid for a wealthy family. Hae-ra (Woo Seo) discovers Eun-yi’s affair with her husband and considers murdering the maid or poisoning her and then forcing the maid into an abortion. Most critics agree that the remake doesn’t reach the erotic, disturbing heights of the classic, but it’s still a compelling thriller that ties the country’s early films to the Renaissance era.

Train to Busan

Year: 2016 Runtime: 1h 58m Director: Yeon Sang-ho

Train to Busan doesn’t reinvent the zombie genre, but it does it really, really well. Seok-woo (Gong Yoo), a workaholic absentee father, takes his daughter on a train to Busan so she can spend her birthday with her mother. A sick woman boards the train at the last minute, and chaos follows as more and more passengers turn into zombies and the train attempts to plow its way to Busan, where they believe a safe zone is waiting. The viscera-splattered film is kind of a Snowpiercer with zombies.

The Handmaiden

Year: 2016 Runtime: 2h 25m Director: Park Chan-wook

The Handmaiden manages to, unexpectedly, be disquieting in a different way for Park. It’s a rich film that increasingly feels like a puzzle as it proceeds. It’s a knotty, sexual adaptation of Sarah Waters’s crime novel Fingersmith relocated to Japanese-occupied Korea. The con man Count Fujiwara (Ha Jung-woo) plans to marry and steal the inheritance of a Japanese heiress (Kim Min-hee). He hires a pickpocket (Kim Tae-ri) to become her maid and aid his plan. What follows is a series of double-crosses and subterfuge that runs almost impossibly deep.

The Fortress

Year: 2017 Runtime: 2h 20m Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk

Less heralded internationally than many on this list — possibly because of a somewhat ham-fisted finale — The Fortress is a gorgeous 17th-century epic about King Injo (Park Hae-il) of Joseon (Korea) holed up in a fortress against an overwhelming Qing invasion. Between stunning cinematography and a moody, minimalist score by the legendary late composer Ryuichi Sakamoto , it’s an emotional journey. Like most war epics, there’s a strong thread about sacrifice. Yet it approaches the topic with a distinctly modern sensibility, spending much of its run time debating who it is that must sacrifice and what it means to lead.

Year: 2018 Runtime: 2h 28m Director: Lee Chang-dong

It was eight years between Poetry and Lee Chang-dong’s next film, a contemplative adaptation of Haruki Murakami’s short story “Barn Burning.” Jong-su (Yoo Ah-in) runs into an old childhood friend, Hae-mi (Jeon Jong-seo). They hook up just before she takes a trip to Africa. Jong-su cat-sits for her, masturbating and thinking of her in her apartment. She returns to South Korea with Ben (Steven Yeun), a man she met during a harrowing experience abroad. As the three spend time together, Ben reveals that he has a disturbing hobby, and every moment of their time together is so loaded with tension, viewers are left wondering when and how the dam will burst.

Year: 2019 Runtime: 2h 12m Director: Bong Joon Ho

With his seventh feature , Bong Joon Ho made history. Parasite was the first non-English-language film to win an Oscar for Best Picture, forcing many Americans to overcome their fear of tiny words at the bottom of a screen. Bong demonstrates a masterful ability to build tension as the destitute Kim family gloms onto the wealthy Park family, slowly getting each family member a job in the Park household. Parasite oscillates from tragicomedy to thriller and back again, leaving no one unscarred by living in this world.

The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil

Year: 2019 Runtime: 1h 49m Director: Lee Won-tae

This dark thriller is based on the true story of a serial killer, played by Kim Sung-kyu, striking out at random victims. The killer’s hallmark is rear-ending cars at night and stabbing the driver to death when they get out to assess the damage. However, he makes the mistake of rear-ending a mob boss played by Don Lee. Everyone is forced to compromise their values as a rogue cop (Kim Mu-yeol) works with the mob boss to hunt the killer. While they cooperate, there’s a race to find the mysterious killer, as their deal stipulates that whoever catches him gets to deal with him however they’d like.

Decision to Leave

Year: 2022 Runtime: 2h 19m Director: Park Chan-wook

Park Chan-wook’s latest is arguably his most emotional film. It’s been compared to Basic Instinct , though you’d have to couch that by saying it’s Basic Instinct plus Park. An insomniac cop (Park Hae-il) investigates the death of a wealthy man whose wife, a Chinese immigrant named Seo-rae (Tang Wei), tops the list of suspects. The mystery is engrossing, but the heart of the film is the messy web of personal entanglement that develops between the two. It comes to a masterfully shocking ending that feels distinctively Park.

The Roundup

Year: 2022 Runtime: 1h 46m Director: Lee Sang-yong

American audiences will recognize star Don Lee, who has crossed the Pacific in films like Marvel’s Eternals . The Roundup , the second film of the Crime City series , shows what Lee is best known for. He plays a gruff, aloof detective who discovers South Koreans taking up residence in Vietnam to commit violent crimes against South Korean tourists. While a tale of a cop taking the law into his own hands should, at a minimum, raise an eyebrow (and it does here), Lee is a powerful, mesmerizing vortex at the center of the film.

Year: 2023 Runtime: 1h 45m Director: Celine Song

Past Lives is the impressive directorial debut from Celine Song. It follows the relationship of two childhood friends over the course of more than two decades. They grow apart in their relationship and are physically separated, living across the globe. They reconnect years later, but find that their lives can’t quite meet. After another stretch of time, they connect again and find themselves exploring what the distance between them has meant in a beautiful, emotionally challenging film that is semi-autobiographical for Song.

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Bts leader’s doc ‘rm: right people, wrong place’ to premiere at busan film festival.

The documentary film will follow the making of the 29-year-old's second solo album, 'Right Place, Wrong Person.'

By Nicole Fell

Nicole Fell

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BTS is continuing their streak of keeping fans satiated during their mandatory military enlistment, this time through a documentary film following the group’s leader, RM .

The documentary film RM: Right People, Wrong Place will premiere at the Busan International Film Festival . The film, which was invited to the festival’s Open Cinema section, chronicles the process of making the global star’s second solo album Right Place, Wrong Person .

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“It is a great honor for RM: Right People, Wrong Place to be the first documentary film focusing on a K-pop artist officially selected for the Busan International Film Festival’s large-scale outdoor premiere,” Hybe Media Studio’s GM Gyewon Suh said in a statement. “The film provides an honest portrayal of RM, and with director Lee Seokjun’s unique visual style, we’ve crafted a truly unconventional yet exceptional work. We hope the film resonates deeply with the audience.”

RM: Right People, Wrong Place “explores the candid journey of BTS’ leader RM as he navigates the complexities of being a global superstar,” according to a release. The film will give fans a chance to see the eight months leading up to the rapper’s enlistment.

RM, whose real name is Kim Namjoon, enlisted in Korea’s military late last year. Six out of seven members of BTS are currently serving.

RM: Right People, Wrong Place is directed by Lee Seokjun and produced by Hybe. Lee previously produced music videos for J-Hope, another member of BTS. The film will have a global theatrical release later this year, according to a release.

“We are delighted to announce the global theatrical release of the BTS RM documentary, RM: Right People, Wrong Place , in collaboration with Hybe and BigHit Music, building on the success of our previous partnership for BTS: Yet to Come in Cinemas ,” CJ 4DPLEX’s CEO Joon Beom Sim said in a statement.

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