With the ongoing Korean Wave (Hallyu), the Korean entertainment industry has gained significant popularity. The rise in Korean pop culture, entertainment, music, dramas, and movies has benefitted the South-Korean economy a lot. Amidst all this, the South Korean Cinema is thriving. After the success of films like Parasite and Train to Busan, Korean Cinema has gained significant attention from all over the world. Korean Movies have all kinds of genres, such as action, romance, fantasy, thriller, etc. Comedy is one of the underrated genres in South Korean Cinema. If you are looking for such gems, here is a list of Top 10 Hit Korean Comedy Movies.
1. Miracle In Cell No. 7
Miracle in Cell No. 7 is a tragic comedy-drama film which was released in 2013. The movie stars Ryu Seung-Ryong, Kal So-Won and Park Shin-Hye. The movie follows the story of Yong-Go, a mentally challenged man wrongly accused and imprisoned for murder. Yong-Go strikes a friendship with his prison inmates, who help him see his 6-year-old daughter Ye-Sung by smuggling her into the prison. The movie is based on a real-life story. It is a heartfelt movie and features the tale of love between the father-daughter.
2. Extreme Job
Starring Ryu Seung-Ryong, Lee Hanee, Jin Seon-Kyu, Lee Dong-Hwi, and Gong Myung in the lead role, Extreme Job is an action-comedy movie. The movie was released in 2019 and was a huge commercial success. The story follows five detectives who must go undercover to take down a criminal organization. The detectives began working at a chicken restaurant as employees. But things start going downhill when the restaurant they're working at unexpectedly gains popularity. The film was a major box office success and is the highest-grossing film in South Korean film history.
3. Miss Granny
Starring Na Moon-Hee and Shim Eun-Kyung in the lead role, Miss Granny is a 2014 Comedy drama film. The story revolves around Oh Mal-Soon, a 74-year-old widow who magically finds herself in the body of her 20-year-old self. After the change in her appearance, she finds a second chance at youth. And utilize this once in a lifetime opportunity to fulfill her dream of pursuing music. The movie is heart-touching and gives a new perspective to life. The movie makes you think how life could be different if we were given a second chance at living. The film became a huge Box office hit with a collection of US$51.7 million.
4. Luck Key
Starring Yoo Hae-Jin in the main role, Luck Key is a 2016 action comedy film. The film is a remake of the Japanese Comedy film Key Of Life. Luck Key follows the story of Jae-Sung, an aspiring actor, and Hyung-Wook, an assassin. With the turn of events, both switch identities when Hyung-Wook goes through a memory loss. The film explores themes of second chances and the pursuit of happiness. It offers a blend of comedy and thrilling moments that entertain the audience throughout the story. The movie was a commercial success and sold 1 million tickets in just three days of its opening.
5. Midnight Runners
Starring Park Seo-Joon and Kang Ha-Neul in the lead role, Midnight Runners is an action comedy film. Midnight Runners follows the story of two students at the Korean National Police University, Ki-Joon, and Hee-Yeol, who are also great friends. One day, they witness the kidnapping of Yun-Jung, a young girl, and take it upon themselves to rescue her. With a mix of action, comedy, and heartfelt moments, "Midnight Runners" takes the audience on a wild ride as the two friends navigate the dangerous world of crime. The movie was a commercial success, with a box office collection of US$39.7 million.
6. The Dude In Me
Starring Jung Jin-Young, Park Sung-Woong, and Ra Mi-Ran, The Dude in Me is a fantasy comedy film. The movie was released in the year 2019. The movie follows the story of Jang Pan-Soo, an elite gangster, who accidentally exchanges his body with Dong-Hyun, a high school student. As the story progresses, you'll see how this accident affects both of their lives. The movie is a completely entertaining one, with the right amount of fantasy and comedy.
7. 200 Pounds Beauty
Starring Kim Ah-Joong, Joo Jin-Mo, Sung Dong-Il, and others, 200 Pounds Beauty is a 2006 musical romantic comedy. The movie is based on the Japanese manga Kanna's Big Success. The story revolves around Hanna Kang, an overweight ghost-singer who sings on behalf of Ammy, a pop star. The story takes a complete turn when Hanna goes through extensive plastic surgery and starts a music career of her own. The movie was a commercial success with a box office collection of US$42 million. It was also the third-best-selling domestic film of 2006.
8. My Annoying Brother
Starring Jo Jung-Suk, and Doh Kyung-Soo in the lead role, My Annoying Brother is a 2016 comedy-drama film. The story revolves around Doo-Young, a National Judo athlete, and his brother Doo-Shik, serving time in prison. When Doo-Young damages his optic nerves and loses his eyesight, he is left to rely on Doo-Shik. As the two brothers start to live together, their relationship evolves, and they learn valuable lessons about family, forgiveness, and the power of unconditional love. The film successful and had a box office collection of US$20.6 million.
9. The Accidental Detective
Starring Kwon Sang-woo, Sung Dong-il in the lead role, The Accidental Detective is a 2015 action comedy. When a mutual friend of Dae-Man, a crime-solving enthusiast, and Noh Tae-soo, a detective, is accused of a crime he did not commit, the two come together to find the true murderer. The Accidental Detective is a perfect balance of humor and action and will keep you guessing who the murderer is until the end.
10. Sinkhole
Starring Cha Seung-won, Kim Sung-kyun, Lee Kwang-soo, and Kim Hye-jun, Sinkhole is a 2021 disaster comedy film. The movie follows the story of Park Dong-won and his family, who throw a housewarming party for their newly purchased house. A heavy downpour creates a massive sinkhole and engulfs the whole apartment in a fraction of second. The family and their guests must find a way out since the sinkhole begins to fill with water. "Sinkhole" was a commercially success and became the second highest-grossing Korean film of 2021 with a box office collection of US$18.8 million.
