Korean movies have been overlooked by western viewers and media for a very long time now, but after the highly successful run of the South Korean Movie Parasite, which was also awarded the 2020 Academy Award for best film, people are really getting to know more about the Korean cinema.
If you loved parasite or if you have simply heard about how great that movie is and are interested in getting to know about some of the best Korean films on Netflix then you are at the right place. Today, we will be sharing our best picks for some of the best Korean movies available on Netflix for you to binge.
Our list is very comprehensive it includes a wide range of genres including romantic Korean movies, thriller films, and even superhero movies that are available on Netflix right now. We also have a couple of picks that feature the star filmmaker from the Oscar-winning parasite, Bong Joon ho.
So, without wasting much time let us start with our first pick.
Tune in for love (2019)
This is a 2019 romantic Korean film that is available on Netflix to stream right now. The movie did really well at the Korean box office and gathered a lot of praise due to being a heartfelt, intimate, and a slow-moving love story.
The plot includes two relatable teens that meet in the most unexpected setting, the financial crisis in 1990. You get to experience the different obstacles that the couple faces and how they try to stick together. It is a great Korean romantic movie eel that you can watch this weekend with bae.
Svaha: The Sixth Finger (2019)
Coming again with another box office topper in the Korean market, Svaha: The Sixth Finger is a detective-thriller in which the protagonist is a pastor who is hired to unravel a religious cult. This movie is visually captivating and apart from the brilliant cinematography, the movie is very gripping due to its thought provocative subject that hooks you up from the beginning.
Burning (2018)
A lot of people were of an opinion that Burning deserved to be nominated for the Academy Award which it unfortunately was not. Regardless, you can still watch this Korean movie on Netflix that is an adaptation of a short story “Barn Burning. “The movie has an amazing cast that features Walking Dead’s Steven, Jeon Jong-seo, and Yoo Ah-in. The main plot revolves around class education and resistance.
The Drug King (2018)
The story of the drug king is a typical rag to riches story but linked to a drug kingpin. This movie features a tremendous performance from the lead actor of parasite, Song Kang ho.
The story unravels how simple drug smuggler ultimately becomes a notorious narcotics kingpin in the city of Busan in late 1970. It is a slow-burning and wild gangster movie that is a treat for the eyes if you are a fan of the criminal genre.
Train to Busan (2016)
You may have already heard about this Masterpiece. This movie made International headlines due to the massive critical acclimation it received in Asia. Not just in Korea, it was acknowledged by movie critics all over the world. It is easily one of the best Korean movies on Netflix relating to the zombie genre.
Pandora (2016)
Pandora is an apocalyptic aftermath movie that kicks off after a nuclear power plant accident that happens after an earthquake. Pandora is a great Netflix Korean movie that revolves around a race against extinction and corporate malpractice.
Snowpiercer (2013)
Snowpiercer is not a traditional Korean movie as it was released in the English language. The movie has a star-studded cast that includes j Jamie Bell Chris Evans, Song Kang-ho, Octavia Spencer, and Tilda Swinton. It is also known as Bong Joon-ho’s inaugural English language movie.
It is set in the future where everyone is about to go into ruins due to an apocalypse caused by the technological revolution. It is a movie that is very thrilling and gripping which coupled with the absolute gems of casting choices makes it one of the best Korean movies available on Netflix.
The President’s Barber (2004)
The president’s Barber is a 2004 movie that is a brilliant political satire that revolves around President Park Chung-hee’s Personal barber’s family. We get to see his journey throughout the decades of political dictatorship in a grim and haunting era in South Korean history.
26 years (2016)
The movie is inspired by real-life events related to the 1980 Gwangju Revolution where tonnes of Korean citizens were butchered. Although inspired by that dreadful event, the movie 26 years is a fictional story that is set exactly 26 years after the massacre.
Frustrated with the horrible outcomes and the reality that the real perpetrators of the mass murderer are still free, five characters from different backgrounds come together to capture and convict the ones responsible for the tragedy decades ago.
Rampant (2018)
It may come as a surprise to you but Korean moviemakers and the viewers are fond of the Zombie movies. They have always something related to this genre available, maybe this is why they are so good at it. If you are a fan of this category, you should definitely have a look at the 2018 Rampant that features Hyun Bin along with his visually amazing and skillful sword fights that will grip you to your core.
Psychokinesis (2018)
If you are a fan of superhero movies then this 2018 Korean movie is a must-watch for you. Psychokinesis features a story of a father who accidental acquires superhero powers and then decides to assist his estranged daughter in protecting their neighborhood from an evil corporate company.
Apart from having amazing graphics, the movie is emotionally moving and is a must-watch if you are a fan of this genre.
Lucid dream (2017)
Although this 2017 Korean Netflix movie is heavily inspired by the Inception, we can proudly say that it is highly distinct and a thing of its own. The movie is about lucid dreaming and is very gripping that makes it a must-watch Korean movie.
Our Takeaway
It is not a surprise that Korean movies are getting this much attention recently. Korean cinema has been long overlooked by the majority of viewers. But thanks to the historical work by Parasite, people are trying to watch more of the Korean cinema which is a great thing for the Asian Movie industry as a whole.
Do you agree with our picks? Have you watched any one of these movies yet? Do let us know in the comment section down below.
