The Korean wave has taken the whole world by storm, and our own Bollywood movie industry remains no exception. Korean movies and dramas also have come to influence the minds of many Indian storytellers, who have then catered to us various films, some of which we can watch repeatedly. Here's a list of 20 Bollywood movies inspired by Korean box office hits. So if you haven't watched them until now, grab your popcorn and check them out.
1. Murder 2
Murder 2 was inspired by 'The Chaser,' a popular action thriller movie in South Korea starring Emraan Hashmi. The film narrates the tale of an ex-cop-turned pimp who becomes involved in a breathless race against time to catch a psychopathic serial killer after one of his girls goes missing. The film's build-up is persistent in its attempt to maintain suspense and will keep you hooked to your chairs for the rest 2 hours.
2. Ek Villain
Star-studded with Siddharth Malhotra, Shraddha Kapoor, and Ritesh Deshmukh in the negative role, Ek Villain takes its inspiration from the South Korean movie 'I Saw the Devil' that was released in 2010. It's a solid action thriller featuring fantastic performances by Choi Min Shuk and Lee Byung Hun. The film is arresting on the mind, and the endless number of thrills make the film thoroughly enjoyable.
3. Rocky Handsome
The movie released in 2016 features John Abraham and Diya Chalwad in the lead roles. Rocky Handsome is based on one of the top-grossing South Korean movies, The Man from Nowhere, which itself is a spine-chilling action thriller. Starring Won Bin in the titular role, he plays a retired government operative and a widower living in obscurity with a mysterious past. When a drug gang abducts the little girl he befriended next door, he sets out on a mission to bring back the girl, tearing through everyone and everything in his path as he races to the rescue.
4. Do Lafzon Ki Kahani
This 2016 romantic drama with Randeep Hooda and Kajal Aggarwal in minor roles is adapted from the South Korean movie, 'Always.' Starring So Ji-sub and Han Hyo-Joo in the lead roles, this South Korean romance movie narrates the tale of budding love between an ex-boxer and a struggling blind woman, who also happen to be connected by the events that occurred in their past. There is something very soulful about this Korean romance, which, along with its heartfelt story and performances, will make you believe in true love all over again.
5. Bharat
Salman Khan Starrer Bharat was a Korean remake based on the movie Ode to My Father. The fourth highest-grossing film in the history of South Korean cinema tells the extraordinary journey of an ordinary man. Starring Hwang Jung-min in the lead role, it's a story about family, separation, love, loss, and most importantly, about a son's promise to his father amid the Korean War, which he fulfilled for the rest of his life to come. With outstanding performances and good storytelling, this movie will touch anyone's heart.
6. Zinda
Zinda was released back in 2006, with Sanjay Dutt and John Abraham delivering the titular roles. The movie is an adaptation of the South Korean neo-noir action thriller flick, 'Oldboy.' The film is about a man held captive for 15 years, who, when released, sets out to find his captor, only to get further engrossed in the conspiracy that waits. The movie is not only bold and brutal but also brilliant, with a shocking climax that awaits its viewers. The film lives up to its expectations of a modern-day revenge masterpiece and is regarded as one of the top ten movies in the history of Asian cinema.
7. Rock On
One of the most popular Hindi movies, "Rock On," starring Farhan Akhtar, Arjun Rampal, and Prachi Desai, is also inspired by a South Korean movie, namely, 'The Happy Life.' The film depicts the story of a group of friends who happened to form a music band back in college but couldn't pursue that dream; years later, they reunite after the lead singer dies and reignite their dream. The film happens to deliver a very realistic portrayal by the actors and has blended the music of life into the movie's fabric with such seamless expertise.
8. Dhamaka
Awaiting its release, Dhamaka starring none other than Kartik Aryan is another remake of a South Korean film, 'The Terror Live.' Ha Jung Woo plays the role of a news anchor who tries to get back his title as the top national news anchor of the country through an exclusive live broadcast with a terrorist. The movie manages to cater to its audience with thrilling scenes, which keep the tension building.
9. Ugly Aur Pagli
Ugly Aur Pagli, a 2008 Hindi comedy film based on the South Korean hit, My Sassy Girl, was released in 2001. The movie is about a chance meet-up between a college student and a drunken girl and how this random unexpected meet-up turns out to be a real adventure.
10. Barfi
Released in 2012, Barfi is also said to be inspired by the South Korean film 'Lover's Concerto.' The original movie directed by Lee Han starred Cha Tae-Hyun, Lee Eun-Ju, and Son Ye-jin and was released in 2002. With flashbacks, the film speaks about the story of a young photographer's journey into the complicated world of love and friendship as he sets out to find his old friends.
11. Te3n
This Hindi film is a remake of the South Korean thriller film "Montage," starring Amitabh Bachchan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, and Vidya Balan. This wonderfully written and directed movie unfolds around a copycat crime that spans over 15 years.
12. Prem Ratan Dhan Payo
Starring Salman Khan and Sonam Kapoor, released in 2015, is inspired by the South Korean period drama film named 'Masquerade,' starring Lee Byung-hun, Ryu Seung-Ryong, and Han Hyo-Joo in the titular roles. The movie proceeds with a look-alike commoner taking the place of the poisoned King to save his country from falling into disarray.
13. Awarapan
Emran Hashmi starrer this Bollywood movie is based on the South Korean film, 'A Bittersweet Life.' The film stars Lee Byung Hun as a mobster instructed to kill his boss's girlfriend, suspected of cheating, but things go array for him when he refuses to comply with his orders.
14. Radhe
Once again, a Salman Khan starrer making to this list, Radhe- The most wanted Bhai, is based on the South Korean Action flick, 'The Outlaws.' The 2017 movie is based on actual incidents and is a blend of action and crime, providing perfect two hours of entertainment.
15. Jazbaa
Starring Aishwarya Rai as the female lead, the movie is based on Won Shin-Yun's 2007 film, 'Seven Days,' a story about a lawyer who must not leave any stone unturned to free a convicted murderer to save her abducted daughter.
16. Jayantabhai Ki Luv Story
Released in 2013, with Vivek Oberoi and Neha Sharma in the lead roles, the film is said to be based on the South Korean movie 'My Dear Desperado.' The film is about a love story that blooms between two different personalities; one is a Gangster who cannot fight but acts all rough and tough, and his next-door neighbor who has a fiery personality.
17. Singh Is Bling
Finally, an Akshay Kumar starrer making it to this list, Singh is Bliing, which also stars Amy Jackson, is said to be based on the South Korean film, 'My wife is a Gangster 3'. The 2006 film portrays a girl related to a Hong Kong mafia, who hides, as she is accused of killing a rival gang member, who a local gangster and his team protect.
18. Kaabil
Starring Hrithik Roshan and Yami Gautam in the lead roles, Kaabil is partially inspired by the South Korean movie ‘'Broken.’' It's a story about a father who gets entangled in a loop of rage and revenge following the rape of his teenage daughter.
19. Oh! Baby
Starring Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Oh! Baby is a South Indian film making it to this list, and it is the official remake of a Korean drama, ‘'Miss Granny.’'The film follows the story of an elderly widow who learns that she is slowly becoming a burden on her family, and she's to be sent to a rest home, goes for a walk, and wanders into a photo studio, where she emerges as a 20-year-old.
20. Pencil
Released in 2016, this Indian Tamil film is based on the South Korean thriller, 4th Period Mystery, released back in 2009. The movie follows the story of Jeong Hoon, a brilliant top student who one day finds his rival dead during the 4th period.
