Korean Cinema
Dubbed the 'new Hong Kong', Korean cinema has taken the international film world by storm with its brutal and confrontational style and original political perspectives. Encompassing both the North and South Korean industries it is the films from the south that have become worldwide hits. From border security thriller, 'JSA' to the haunting 'Oasis' to the mesmerising madness of 'Old Boy', Korean cinema is bold, diverse and here to stay.
Pictured: Horror-chiller already slated for an American remake, 'A Tale of Two Sisters'.
Decision To Leave (2022)
7.3/10
Director: Chan-wook Park
Starring: Park Hae-il
A detective investigating a man's death in the mountains meets the dead man's mysterious wife in the course of his dogged sleuthing. Read more
Doomsday Book (2012)
5.9/10
Director: Kim Jee-Woon, Yim Pil-sung
Starring: Doona Bae, Kang-woo Kim, Joon-ho Bong, Ji-hee Jin, Yun-hie Jo
Two directors. Three visions of the future. One mindblowing story. This fantastical anthology film paints a challenging picture of a world hurtling to... Read more
Dragon Wars (2007)
3.6/10
Director: Shim Hyung-rae
Starring: Jason Behr, Robert Forster, Amanda Brooks
A.k.a. 'D-War'. Hundreds of flying, fire-breathing dragons descend upon Los Angeles, in this special effects-filled sci-fi actioner. Now, a reporter m... Read more
Escape From Mogadishu (2021)
7/10
Starring: Zo In-Sung
In 1991 war-torn Somalia the personnel and the families of both the South Korean and the North Korean embassies have the same goal: to escape from Mog... Read more
Haemoo ( Sea Fog ) (2014)
6.9/10
Director: Sung-bo Shim
Starring: Yun-seok Kim, Yoo-chun Park, Ye-rin Han
Down on their luck, a commercial fishing vessel takes on a cargo of thirty illegal immigrants and attempts to smuggle them from China to Korea. Howeve... Read more
Haeundae ( Tidal Wave ) (2009)
6.4/10
Director: Je-gyun Yun
Starring: Jeong-hwa Eom, Ji-won Ha, Kyung-gu Sol, Joong-Hoon Park
During the summer, the beach resort of Haeundae is packed with up to one million vacationing Koreans. On one such day, marine geologist Kim Hwi (Joong... Read more
JSA: Joint Security Area (2000)
Director: Chan-wook Park
Starring: Jeong Seong-San, Kim Hyeon-Seok, Lee Mu-Yeong
This harrowing political thriller from South Korea rides on the trend of phenomenally popular action blockbusters from East Asia. In the extremely sen... Read more
Masquerade (2012)
7.8/10
Director: Choo Chang-Min
Starring: Byung-hun Lee, Ryoo Seung-Ryong, Han Hyo-Joo, Kim In-Kwon
A royal body double risks everything to save his beloved country from collapse in this historical drama set during Korea's Joseon Dynasty, and inspire... Read more
Memories of Murder (2003)
8.1/10
Director: Joon-ho Bong
Starring: Kang-ho Song, Sang-kyung Kim, Roe-ha Kim, Jae-ho Song, Hie-bong Byeon, Seo-hie K...
Based on the true story of Korea's first recorded serial killer, and set during the politically charged '80s this film fairly crackles with tension.... Read more
Memories of Murder (Blu-ray) (2003)
8.1/10
Director: Joon-ho Bong
Starring: Kang-ho Song, Sang-kyung Kim, Roe-ha Kim, Jae-ho Song, Hie-bong Byeon, Seo-hie K...
Based on the true story of Korea's first recorded serial killer, and set during the politically charged '80s this film fairly crackles with tension.... Read more