South Korean entertainment industry is growing exponentially. It has shown a rise in consumption of Korean movies across the globe. Korean movies are loved by masses for its storyline and incredible actors. Directors or filmmakers play an essential role in shaping a film. Direction was predominantly a male-dominated profession, but not anymore. There is an increase in number of female movie director in the South Korean film industry. These women have made some award-winning films and are also recognized globally. They have put forward the women’s perspective. So, here is a compilation of Korean movies directed by female directors.
1. The Running Actress
The Running Actress is a South Korean Movie released in 2017 and directed by Moon So Ri. The movies revolve around the life of an actress who takes up a loan and checks up on her mother-in-law as well as takes care of her baby. The film is 71 minutes long and, is well received by the audience. The movie has also won many awards including 5th Marie Claire Asia Star Awards, in the category of special awards and 26th Korea Culture and Entertainment awards in the category of best actress.
2. Little Forest
Little Forest is a heartfelt movie released in 2018 and directed by Im Soon Rye. The film revolves around the life of a girl, who had big dreams and moved out of her small village to big city to fulfill that dream. But, after failing to achieve her goals, she returns to her home in a traditional Korean village. After reaching there, she was not able to find her mother, instead she discovers her mother’s diary which had food recipes with beautiful illustrations. She also reunited with her childhood friends and made a new start in her hometown.
3. The House Of Us
The House of Us is a South Korean movie released in 2019 and directed by Yoon Da Eun. The film revolves around the life of three children who are sick of their toxic family. A twelve years old girl named Ha Na’s parents used to fight a lot and Yoo Mi and Yoo Jin were tier of their family moving all the time. One summer holiday, they became friends. Three of them bond over the same family background. The three decided to risk everything and save their family from breaking apart.
4. Kim Ji Young: Born 1982
Kim Ji Young: Born 1982 is a South Korean movie released in 2019 and directed by Kim Do Young. The film centers around a woman named Kim Ji Young, who worked in a PR agency. Now, she is married and has a daughter. She quit her job to properly care for her daughter and lead a simple life. Suddenly, one day she started to talk like her mother and late grandmother. She was acting like she was possessed by some entities.
5. House Of Hummingbird
House of Hummingbird is a Korean movie released in 2018 and written and directed by Kim Bora. The film tells the story of a 14-years-old girl named Eun Hee. Eun Hee was a quite school going girl who came from a working-class family. She loved to hang out with her best friend Ji Suk, also secretly dated Ji Wan. At home, she was ignored by her father, who cared less about her, and abused by her older brother. She also has an older sister who was treated in a similar manner as her.
In school she meets a new Chinese teacher Ms. Kim, who was free spirited and Eun Hee felt warmth after talking to her. One day, she was caught shoplifting with Ji Suk. When Eun Hee’s father was called, Ji Suk shifted all the blame to Eun Hee. After that event, Ji Wan also broke up with her as his mother disliked her for being from a lower class. One day, when Seongsu bridge collapsed, she was scared for the life of her older sister as she used to take that rout for her school, but fortunately, she was safe. But Ms. Kim died in the incident.
6. Helpless
Helpless is a psychological thriller released in 2012 and directed by Byun Young Joo. The fim revolves around a veterinarian Jung Mun Ho and his fiancé Kang Seon Yeong. A few days before their wedding, both were on the way to visit Mun ho’s parents and they stopped in a café to take a break. Mun Ho returned to the car but Seon Yeong suddenly disappeared leaving behind only her hair pin. One of Mun Ho’s banker friend informed him that Seon Yeong had once applied for a bank account, but was denied because she had a history of bankruptcy back in 2007. Confused by the discovery, Mun Ho with the help of his ex-police officer friend tried to find the truth about Seong Yeong’s identity.
7. Way Back Home
Way Back Home is a drama film released in 2013 and directed by Bang Eun Jin. The movie revolves around a happy family who meet with a tragedy. Jeong Yeon and Jong Bae were happily married with a young daughter. The lived a simple life and run an auto repair shop to support their living. One day, a close friend of Jeong Yeon committed suicide as he was unable to pay off her debt. As Jeong Yeon was the loan’s guarantor, he had to pay the debt. Saddened by the situation, Jong Bae decided to take a job to help him settle the debt. She had to deliver diamond from Paris to Soeul, which she taught was legal. But she was arrested at the airport as 30 kilograms of cocaine was found in her bag. She was arrested and thrown into the French jail. On the other hand, her husband tries his best to bring back his wife.
8. Voice Of Silence
Voice of Silence is a crime drama film released in 2020 and directed by Hong Eui Jong. The story revolves around two men who got tangled in a kidnapping case. Tae In is a young man who is mute, and Chan Bok is a religious older man, who work for a crime organization to clean up the mess after their dirty deeds. One day, they got an order from their superior to care for a kidnapped girl. After they brought in the girl, the boss of the organization got killed, and now they have to take care of the girl.
9. Daughter
Daughter is a drama film released in 2014 and directed by Ku Hye Sun. The drama revolves around the tragic life of San. San lived with her mother, who was verbally and physically abusive towards her. Her mother was obsessed with San for not taking full possession of her sexuality. San used to experience a short-term happiness when she was in her piano class. Years later, when the adult San learned that she was pregnant, she decided to visit her terminally ill mother. She expected her mother to change from her old aged thinking, but when she broke out the news to her, she reacted in the same way which saddened San.
10. A Reason To Live
A Reason to Live is a Korean film released in 2011 and written and directed by Lee Jeong Hyang. The story revolves around a documentary director named Da Hae. Da Hae lost her fiancé in a hit-and-run case on her birthday. Being a decided catholic she decided to forgive the criminal who was a 15-years old boy. Years latter she was asked by the catholic church to make a documentary on brutality of capital punishment. But her morals come into question when she learns that a teenage driver kills a classmate just after his release.
