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 Thieves (2012)
6.8/10
Director: Dong-Hoon Choi
Starring: Simon Yam, Ha-kyun Shin, Hye-su Kim, Yun-seok Kim, Gianna Jun, Hae-sook Kim, Jun...
Five thieves at the top of their game, and the crew is assembling for their biggest job yet. The job's hot, maybe too hot, but who can resist the Tear... Read more
The Front Line (2011)
7.4/10
Director: Jang Hun
Starring: Ha-kyun Shin, Go Soo, Seung-su Ryu
The battle for a strategic stronghold heats up as the Korean War winds to a bloody close in this war drama from director Jang Hun. Korea is in crisis... 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
My Way (2011)
7.8/10
Director: Je-kyu Kang
Starring: Jo Odagiri, Dong-gun Jang
Aspiring (and rival) marathon runners Jun-shik (Dong-gun Jang) and Tatsuo (Jo Odagiri) must put their dreams of glory on hold when they are conscripte... 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
The Housemaid (2010)
6.5/10
Director: Im Sang-soo
Starring: Do-yeon Jeon
A sensation at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival, Korean director Im Sang-soo's remake of the classic 1960 film is the story of Eun-yi (Jeon Do-yeon, Cann... Read more
A Million (2009)
4.2/10
Director: Cho Min-ho
Starring: Park Hee-soon, Lee Chun-hee, Jung Yu-mi, Park Hae-il, Shin Mina, Lee Min-ki
Eight contestants compete for one million US dollars in a survival reality TV show in Australia. The challengers must spend seven days in the Australi... Read more
Woochi: Goblin Wizard (2009)
6.7/10
Director: Dong-Hoon Choi
Starring: Dong-won Kang
Aka "Jeon Woochi: The Taoist Wizard". Begins in the Chosun Dynasty in 1509 and involves a trio of Taoist wizards, a magician named Jeon Woo-chi (Dong-... Read more
Mother (2009)
7.8/10
Director: Joon-ho Bong
Starring: Weon Bin, Jin Gu
Widowed for a long time, a mother lives alone with her only son. He is 28 years old, a shy and quiet young man. In the aftermath of a terrible murder,... Read more