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'.
The Quiet Family (1998)
7.1/10
Director: Kim Jee-Woon
Starring: Kang-ho Song, Min-sik Choi, Park In-hwan, Na Mun-heui
A South Korean black comedy horror about a family who take over the running of Mt Lodge, a hotel in the suburbs. However punters aren't lining up and... Read more
The Chaser (2008)
7.9/10
Director: Hong-jin Na
Starring: Yun-seok Kim, Jung-woo Ha, Yeong-hie Seo, In-gi Jung, Hyo-ju Park
Jung-ho is a former cop turned pimp. He is a foul-tempered, hard-talking man driven by the pursuit of easy money. So when some of his girls start goin... 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
A Dirty Carnival (2006)
7.4/10
Director: Ha Yu
Starring: Zo In-Sung, Lee Bo-young, Namkoon Min
Director Ha Yu really knows the dark, gritty alleys behind Korea's gleaming skyscrapers. In this universe of thugs, Byung-doo is a small time crook ek... Read more
War of the Arrows (2011)
7.2/10
Director: Kim Han-min
Starring: Park Hae-il, Ryu Seung-ryong
Revenge, redemption and a story of family combines with heart-pounding action to make "War of the Arrows" the highest-grossing epic in Korean cinema.... 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
The Yellow Sea (2010)
7.3/10
Director: Hong-jin Na
Starring: Yun-seok Kim, Jung-woo Ha
A taxi driver (Ha Jung-woo) goes on the run after an attempt to carry out a hit on a professor (Kwak Do-won) goes terribly awry. Read more
Bedevilled (2010)
7.3/10
Director: Cheol-soo Jang
Starring: Sung-won Ji, Young-hee Seo
Beautiful Hae-won needs to get away from it all and finds herself drawn to Moo Island, a place where she once spent an idyllic childhood holiday. On a... Read more
Untold Scandal (2003)
7.1/10
Director: Je-yong Lee
Starring: Mi-suk Lee, Do-yeon Jeon, Yong-jun Bae, Hyeon-jae Jo, So-yeon Lee
An excellent Korean adaptation of the French novel, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, set amidst the aristocracy of the 18th century Chosun Dynasty. Lady Cho... Read more
The Ghost ( aka Dead Friends ) (2004)
7.1/10
Director: Tae-gyun Kim
Starring: Ha-Nuel Kim, Nam Sang-mi, Bin , Yi Shin
Ji-won (Kim Ha-Neul) is a bright young student with a promising future, but her past is a blank beyond a mysterious incident from some time ago. Hard... Read more