Koreans have been producing countless critically acclaimed films over the years. Korean movies have enormous and devoted followers globally.When it comes to Korean films, how can we not talk about Korean thriller movies? When it comes to thrillers, nothing can't beat Korean thriller movies. The 2019 South Korean comedy-thriller "Parasite" movie earned critical praise on an international scale that had never been glimpsed before. The film was the first non-English language film to win the award for best pictures at the Oscars. Here is the compiled list of the top 10 Korean thrillers worth checking out.
1. The Handmaiden
The 2016 psychological thriller "The Handmaiden" directed by Park Chan-wook is filled with romance, retaliation, and slants. In the 1930s in Korea, a con man hires a poor handmaiden to a wealthy Japanese heiress. He wants to rob the heiress and take all her wealth. But the story takes a twist when the heiress and handmaiden formulate interest in each other. The movie won various International Awards.
2. Old Boy
Released in 2003, "Old Boy" is considered one of the best pioneering Korean thriller films. Choi Min-Sik thought one of the greatest artists in Korean cinema plays the lead role of a man imprisoned in a hotel for about 15 years. He was released after 15 years in prison, but his captive must be found within five days.
3. Memories Of Murder
"Memories of Murder" is based on the true story of a series of murders in Korea. In 1986, three detectives tried to find the motive behind the rapes and murders in the country. This masterpiece is considered one of the greatest movies of the century. This movie was directed by the "Parasite" movie director Bong Joon-ho won multiple awards unsurprisingly.
4. Parasite
Who doesn't know the Oscar winner movie "Parasite"? It is a 2019 dark comedy thriller directed by Bong Joon-ho. It's a story about an unemployed driver Gi Woo and his family of four. Gi Woo and his family are poor and unemployed. They take an interest in the wealthy family of Park’s. But unexpectedly, they entangled with some unexpected happenings.This movie received four Oscars for best director, screenplay, picture and International feature movie.
5. Joint Security Area
"Joint Security Area" is a mystery thriller directed by Park Chan-wook. Two North Korean soldierswere killed on the border. The South Korean Sergeantwas accused of the incident. An International investigator is assigned to find the truth. The movie was critically and commercially acclaimed and won numerous awards in Korea and abroad. The film was a breakout hit for director Park Chan-wook.
6. The Chaser
"The Chaser," directed by Na Hong-jin, is a suspense thriller movie. The movie is about an investigation of a serial killer.An ex-policeman who becomes a pimp and learns some of his girls lately vanished without clearing their debts. While tracking them down, he finds out they all disappeared after the called up by the same client. Later he finds himself entangled in a cat and mouse game with the serial killer.
7. I Saw The Devil
"I Saw The Devil" is a must-watch movie directed by Kim Jee-Woon. Kyung-Chul is a dangerous psychopath, who kills people for his pleasure. His latest victim was pregnant Juyeon who isthe fianceeof a special agent Soo-Hyun. When he decides to track down the murderer, the cat and mouse game between the killer and the agent begins. This movie is driven by outstanding performances.
8. New World
Park Hoon-Jung's "New World" is a crime thriller of gangsters playing politics. “Goldmoon” is the most prominent crime organization in Korea. Ja-sang, an undercover cop in the investigative planning unit, was instructed to contribute to a project to eliminate the crime organization “Goldmoon.” Ja-sang, also the right-hand man of the brutal criminal, finds it difficult to do both roles.
9. Mother
"Mother" movie was directed by Bong Joon-ho in 2009. A widow lives peacefully with her disabled son in South Korea. In between, the mother finds her son in danger when she finds out a girl is brutally murdered and her son is the prime suspect. Deceived by the legal system, the mother starts an investigation to find the real culprit and save her child.
10. The Man From Nowhere
The Man From Nowhere" is the 2010 action thriller movie by Lee Jeong-beom. A gruff former special agent Cha Tae-Sik finds out the young girl who lives next door kidnapped.So-miwas abducted by the gang of black market organ harvesters. AS So-mi was the only human connection to Cha Tae-Sik, to rescue her safely.
