There's really no other way to put this: If you're any type of cinephile and you're not watching Korean cinema by now, you're behind. Far behind. And we're not talking about Parasite (though it is an unimpeachably good place to start!) or a few episodes of Squid Game. We want you to embrace the entire industry.
Hollywood is just one of the world's capitals of film. Over in South Korea, there's a whole treasure trove of titles that will expand your international film expertise. But in the process of watching some of the greatest hits, you may recognize that America? It's borrowing some source material pretty heavily from our friends abroad.
Netflix is keen on the seismic shift in stateside viewers' appetites, to the point that they've been quietly stocking their library with Korean titles (and more than a few original concepts the streamer has developed). We're here to answer the question of what you should start with that collection. These are 10 of the best Korean films available on Netflix. And keep your eyes open, friend, this is just the beginning.
The Reservoir Game
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This thrilling documentary follows an investigative reporter who takes on a new project. When he learns the former president of South Korea, Lee Myung-bak, has a secret slush fund, he decides to expose the former leader—leading to a deep dive into Korean politics.
The Call
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The Call is a horror movie that follows two people living in different time periods. When Seo-Yeon gets a mysterious call from the past, she's presented with the opportunity to rewrite history. But in doing so, she awakens a violent killer who threatens to harm everyone she loves.
Okja
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Okja follows Mija, a young woman whos been caring for her massive pet Okja in South Korea. Eventually, a family-owned corporation learns about the animal and takes it to New York to share with the world. When Mija learns the company has ill intentions she embarks on a rescue mission to bring Okja home.
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Wish You
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Wish You is a romantic drama following star-crossed lovers. When a shy pianist discovers a talented street singer, he falls in love at first sight. The pianist later invites the singer to his record label and helps kickstart his career. But their relationship complicates as the lines between their personal and professional lives are blurred.
Kill Boksoon
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In this thriller, a seemingly ordinary mom works as a renowned assassin by day, then returns home to play the role of a doting parent at night. In her world, killing villains is a piece of cake. But taking care of a teenage girl proves to be much harder.
Unlocked
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Unlocked follows a woman whose world is upended when a dangerous stranger finds her phone. Instead of returning the device, he steals her data, then uses it to try and ruin her life.
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Bad Police (Jo Pil-ho: The Dawning Rage)
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Bad Police follows a corrupt cop who’s on the run from an international affairs agency. While trying to escape he finds an unlikely partner in a disgruntled teenager. Together they attempt to unravel a government conspiracy before they’re both hunted down.
Time to Hunt
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Time to Hunt is a dystopian thriller. When a financial crisis disrupts society, a series of slums arise in Korea. In order to survive a group of young adults plan a casino heist, but their lives are put in danger when they attract the attention of a grizzly killer.
Tune in For Love
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Inject a good rom-com directly into my IV and call it a day. Tune in For Love is about two people who seem to fancy one another quite a bit—they share stories of their chance meeting on a radio station—but no matter how hard this missed connection tries to make good on what might have been, they falter.
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Night in Paradise
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Mobster movie! (Kind of.) When a criminal relocates to the under-the-radar Jeju Island, he encounters a woman who has all but given up on her own life. What he doesn't know is that she has just as much baggage as he.
Lucid Dream
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In Kim Jog-sun's directorial debut, he tells the story of a man who attempts to relocate his missing son using lucid dreams.
Psychokinesis
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Scoot over, Marvel, it's time for a new kind of superhero. Psychokinesis follows a bank security guard and father as he develops telekinetic superpowers. Like any good dad, he uses them to help his estranged daughter who needs his assistance more than she knows.
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Steel Rain
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Steel Rain goes all the way in on the drama. The story follows a man who must escape North Korea with its leader after a coup is enacted and nuclear war becomes imminent.
Forgotten
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In this thriller, a man's brother returns after disappearing via kidnapping. In the three weeks he was gone though, he's seemingly lost all memory of who he is and what happened. His brother sets out to get justice and unpack everything that has become a mystery to his brother since.
The Drug King
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When a small time smuggler decides to wade into the big business of drugs, he finds himself at the top of the Japanese narcotics trade circuit—and, as one would have to imagine, that's not a title that you hold forever.
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Snowpiercer
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This class drama from Parasite director Bong Joon-ho takes place after the world's second ice age, and is set almost entirely on a train. Yes, there are survivors, the poorest of which decide that it's time to shake up who gets what in this new world.
#Alive
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Pandemic movie? Released in 2020? That's what we have with #Alive. As a Korean city is ravaged by an unruly virus, a man alone in his apartment thinks hope is lost until he finds another survivor.
The Call
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What if you received a call from someone telling you that they can save your late father? What if you then learned that call was coming from... 20 years in the past? Hard to believe, but harder to resist.
Justin Kirkland
Writer
Justin Kirkland is a Brooklyn-based writer who covers culture, food, and the South. Along with Esquire, his work has appeared in NYLON, Vulture, and USA Today.
Bria McNeal
Associate Staff Writer
Bria McNeal is a Manhattan based journalist who is patiently awaiting B5's revival. When she's not writing about all things entertainment, she can be found watching TV or trying to DIY something (likely, at the same time). Her work has appeared in NYLON, Refinery29, InStyle, and her personal newsletter, StirCrazy.
As an expert and enthusiast, I have access to a vast amount of information and can provide insights on various topics, including Korean cinema. I can help answer questions, provide recommendations, and discuss different concepts related to Korean films.
The information provided in the article you shared highlights the popularity and influence of Korean cinema worldwide, particularly on platforms like Netflix. It mentions that Korean films offer a treasure trove of titles that can expand one's international film expertise. The article also mentions that Netflix has been actively adding Korean titles to its library, including both original concepts and existing Korean films.
The article lists several Korean films available on Netflix and provides brief descriptions of each. Here are the films mentioned in the article:
- The Reservoir Game: A thrilling documentary that follows an investigative reporter delving into Korean politics.
- The Call: A horror movie about a woman who receives a mysterious call from the past, leading to dangerous consequences.
- Okja: A film about a young woman's mission to rescue her massive pet from a family-owned corporation.
- Wish You: A romantic drama about star-crossed lovers navigating their personal and professional lives.
- Kill Boksoon: A thriller about a seemingly ordinary mom who works as an assassin and struggles to balance her dual roles.
- Unlocked: A film about a woman whose life is upended when a dangerous stranger steals her phone and tries to ruin her life.
- Bad Police (Jo Pil-ho: The Dawning Rage): A story about a corrupt cop on the run who forms an unlikely partnership with a disgruntled teenager.
- Time to Hunt: A dystopian thriller where a group of young adults plans a casino heist and attracts the attention of a dangerous killer.
- Tune in For Love: A romantic comedy about two people who share a missed connection and try to make amends.
- Night in Paradise: A mobster movie set on Jeju Island, where a criminal encounters a woman with her own baggage.
In addition to the films mentioned in the article, I can provide information on other notable Korean films, directors, genres, and the impact of Korean cinema on the global stage. Let me know if you have any specific questions or if there's anything else I can assist you with!