South Korea has become the new port of incredible movies. Gone back are the days of the movies with cliché scripts, the same genre, happy and satisfying endings. Previous movies were a kind of an option to kill time or to do while hanging out with friends but, nowadays movies are more welcoming. By the time movies have been accepted to be more realistic- like covering up about everyday life of ordinary people so that majority can relate. More practical and futuristic movies attract viewers and improve their ratings. So, in case you haven’t seen or want to try some of these. Then, the following are the top 10 best Korean movies, with the highest rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
1. Memories Of Murder (2003)
A crime-thriller movie revolving around two detectives who had to investigate a double murder case, but they had no idea that this wasn’t as easy as it seems to be. They encountered many more murder cases with similar killing patterns, which turned out to be the country’s first serial murder case. Starring Song Kang Ho, Kim Sang Kyung, Park Hae-il, Byun Hee Bong, Park Noh Shik and Kim Roi Ha. This movie had a total production budget of USD 2.8 Million and earned $14.1M at Box office. This award-winning movie has 95% of ratings on Rotten Tomatoes.
2. Mother (2008)
An award-winning thriller-mystery movie with the story of a widowed mother and his mentally disabled son who accidentally became the prime suspect of the murder of a schoolgirl. To save his son, this mother goes all the way to investigate and catch the real criminal. With the cast as Won Bin, Kim Hye Ja and Jin Goo. A fantastic movie with official selection in Cannes Film Festival, Toronto Film Festival and New York Film Festival. This movie has 96% ratings on Rotten Tomatoes gaining colossal fame worldwide.
3. Poetry (2010)
The best Screenplay award winner at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival is a movie that shows the cruel face of society and appears to be beautiful when the old lady Mi Ja starts her hobby of poetry. She has a tough time dealing with Alzheimer’s and her 16-year-old ignorant grandson, alleged to be related to a girl’s death case. Starring Yoon Jeong Hee, Lee David, Kim Hee Ra, Ahn Nae Sang, Park Myung Shin, Kim Hye Jeong and Jang Hye Jin. Along with several awards and honours, this movie has also gained a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
4. Seoul Station (2010)
A zombie-horror movie with 100% Rotten Tomatoes. Starring Shin Eun Kyung, Ryu Seung Ryong, Lee Joon, Lee Sang Hee and Jang Hyeok Jin, it revolves around a sudden zombie apocalypse in Seoul Station, which creates a haphazard situation. A woman who lives with her boyfriend after escaping from a brothel, is set to pimp away by her boyfriend because of financial issues. Finally, she gets to know the true identity of her father.
5. The Handmaiden (2016)
A South Korean erotic-thriller film, with a cast including Kim Min-Hee, Kim Tae Ri, Ha Jun Woo and Cho Jin Woong. Set up during the time of the Japanese Korean period. With a total production cost of $8.8 million, this movie grossed over $38.6 million, with 95% Rotten Tomatoes.
6. Train To Busan (2016)
One of the best horrors, thriller, action and, zombie movies of Korea. With Gong Yoo, Don Lee, Choi Woo Shik, Kim Soo Ah and Jung Yu Mi as the main cast. This movie revolves around a train journey from Seoul to Busan and the life-threatening challenges faced due to the zombie apocalypse. With a budget of $8.5 Million and a total profit of $98.5 Million at the box office. Being one of the most successful movies worldwide, it has a 94% rating on rotten tomatoes.
7. The Age Of Shadows (2016)
A period-action film, set in Shanghai and Seoul during the 1920s era. Starring Gong Yoo, Song Kang Ho, Han Ji Min and Shin Sun Rok. With a rating of 100% Rotten Tomatoes and a net gross of $55.3 million worldwide. It’s one of the best thriller-action films based on the real story in Korea under Japanese rule. Winning the award for Best film in 36th Korean Association of Film Critic Awards.
8. Hotel By The River (2018)
Starring Gi Ju Bong, Kim Min-Hee, Kwon Hae Hyo and Song Seon Mi. A drama and sentimental film revolving around the life of an old published poet. He lives alone in a hotel on the Han River. During his last time of life, he waited for his two sons, who constantly fought. They spent the whole day waiting for their father to come. With 95% Rotten Tomatoes, this movie got premiered at the 71st Locarno Film Festival.
9. Parasite (2019)
An Oscar-winning movie was starring Choi Woo Shik, Park So Dam, Jang Hye Jin, Park So Dam, Song Kang Ho, Lee Sun Kyun, Cho Yeo Jeong and Lee Jung Eun. With a producing budget of US$ 15.5 Million, this thriller-comedy movie grossed over $258 Million worldwide. Everything about this movie is just flawless. Even the introduction of the basement is the most exciting part of the whole story. What makes this best movie a worldwide sensation is the story-telling that uniquely joins every aspect of the film as a splendid one and having a rating of 98% on Rotten Tomatoes.
10. #ALIVE (2020)
A zombie-thriller film starring Park Shin Hye and Yoo Ah, a video game live streamer In, portraying their struggle to live during a sudden zombie outbreak. The sudden and intense zombie attack and how they both survived and saved each other till the last moment is a stomach-churning experience. This movie gets 88% Rotten Tomatoes and a lot of praise from the audience worldwide.
