Best of korean movies

CJ ENTERTAINMENT

1. ‘SECRET SUNSHINE’ (2007)

Who’s in it: Jeon Do-yeon, Song Kang-ho, Jo Young-jin, Kim Young-jae

What it’s about: The poignant film, which was met with critical acclaim, follows a young Korean widow named Sin-ae. When she moves to a new town with her son to get a fresh start, she feels hopeful. But when her child suddenly gets abducted, it seems like tragedy is following her wherever she goes.

PINE HOUSE FILM

2. ‘POETRY’ (2010)

Who’s in it: Yoon Jeong-hee, Lee David, Kim Hee-ra, Ahn Nae-sang

What it’s about: Yang Mi-ja, a kind-hearted elderly woman, develops an interest in poetry while suffering from Alzheimer’s. When she discovers that her childish grandson is connected to the murder of a young girl, she goes to great lengths to help protect him. However, when her memory continues to fail her, it leads to dangerous consequences.

YONG FILM

3. ‘THE BEAUTY INSIDE’ (2015)

Who’s in it: Han Hyo-joo, Yoo Yeon-seok, Kim Dae-myung, Do Ji-han

What it’s about: Guys, can you imagine waking up as a different person every day? When Woo-jin wakes up in the bodies of different people after his 18th birthday, he’s tasked with adjusting to a number of new environments. But regardless of who he turns into—whether it be an elderly grandparent or a little child—his goal still remains the same: to find and reunite with his one true love, Yi-soo.

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PINE HOUSE FILM

4. ‘BURNING’ (2018)

Who’s in it: Ah-in Yoo, Jong-seo Jun, Steven Yeun

What it’s about: Jongsu, a shy introvert, falls for a beautiful young woman from his past named Haemi. But after Haemi returns from a trip with the sophisticated Ben, she mysteriously disappears, causing Jongsu to question Ben’s secret hobby.

LJ FILM

5. ‘SPRING, SUMMER, FALL, WINTER...AND SPRING’ (2003)

Who’s in it: Oh Yeong-su, Kim Ki-duk, Kim Young-min, Seo Jae-kyung

What it’s about: After growing up under the guidance of a Buddhist monk, a young apprentice meets and falls in love with a girl who visits the monastery. Within the next few days, they start a secret romantic relationship, which eventually causes the young boy to leave the monastery and explore the outside world (which proves to be quite a challenge).

THE LAMP

6. ‘A TAXI DRIVER’ (2017)

Who’s in it: Song Kang-ho, Thomas Kretschmann, Yoo Hae-jin

What it’s about: Based on the real-life experiences of journalist Jürgen Hinzpeter during the Gwangju Uprising in 1980, this film follows Kim Man-seob, a taxi driver who gets booked for a trip with a foreign journalist. But when Kim takes his client to Gwangju, both men are stunned to see that the city is under siege by protesters and the military.

JEONWONSA FILM

7. ‘THE DAY HE ARRIVES’ (2011)

Who’s in it: Yoo Jun-sang, Kim Sang-joong, Song Seon-mi, Kim Bo-kyung

What it’s about: In this black-and-white film, film professor Sang-Joon travels to Seoul, expecting to meet a close friend who works as a film critic. But when that friend fails to show up or return Sang-Joon’s calls, he sticks around and aimlessly wanders around the city, turning it into his own adventure.

KIM KI-DUK FILM

8. ‘3-IRON’ (2014)

Who’s in it: Lee Seung-yeon, Jae Hee, Kwon Hyuk-ho

What it’s about: Tae-suk goes from mediocre squatter to knight in shining armor when he breaks into a huge mansion and encounters an abused housewife. When she agrees to escape with him on his motorcycle, the two embark on a new adventure (and of course, fall for each other in the process).

DREAM VENTURE CAPITAL

9. ‘PEPPERMINT CANDY’ (1999)

Who’s in it: Sol Kyung-gu, Moon So-ri, Kim Yeo-jin

What it’s about: Fair warning: You’ll probably need to keep a box of tissues handy for this one. In the beginning, a depressed and suicidal Yong-ho stands before an oncoming train and says, “I want to go back again!” Then, throughout the film, viewers gain some insight into how he got to this point, as major life events are recounted in reverse order.

HB ENTERTAINMENT

10. ‘ALWAYS’ (2011)

Who’s in it: So Ji-sub, Han Hyo-joo, Yun Jong-hwa, Kang Shin-il

What it’s about: Former boxer and parking lot attendant Jang Cheol-min is perfectly content with being a quiet loner. But that soon changes when he crosses paths with a blind and attractive telemarketer who mistakes him for a former employee.