Time Out's The Best Korean Movies of All Time

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Loved Parasite? Dig deeper into Hallyuwood’s awesome back catalogue

Written by James Balmont
Contributors Phil de Semlyen & Matthew Singer
Tuesday 10 May 2022

Contrary to believe in some corners of the west, South Korean cinema existed long before Parasite and Squid Game. Sure, Bong Joon-ho’s 2019 Oscar-winner might represent the pinnacle of the country’s movie industry – and the massive success of Netflix’s Squid Game confirmed it as a worldwide player in streaming too – but its history runs much deeper. For decades, Korean filmmakers have been producing thrilling, imaginative work with a distinctive vision, subverting genre conventions along the way.

Entering its renaissance era in the early 2000s, charged by films like Park Chan-wook’s Oldboy and Joon-ho’s The Host, Korean movies became known for their ultraviolence and political invective, but dig into the canon and you’ll find a wide range of complex emotions expressed in many different ways. Where to start? Well, here: with some of the best Korean movies ever made.

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  1. 1 new

    Hanyo

    1960 — a.k.a. The Housemaid, in 8 top lists Check
  2. 2 new

    Gokseong

    2016 — a.k.a. The Wailing, in 2 top lists Check
  3. 3 new

    Gisaengchung

    2019 — a.k.a. Parasite, in 22 top lists
    Check
  4. 4 new

    Janghwa, Hongryeon

    2003 — a.k.a. A Tale of Two Sisters, in 5 top lists Check
  5. 5 new

    Salinui chueok

    2003 — a.k.a. Memories of Murder, in 17 top lists Check
  6. 6 new

    Bakha satang

    1999 — a.k.a. Peppermint Candy, in 5 top lists Check
  7. 7 new

    Jigureul jikyeora!

    2003 — a.k.a. Save the Green Planet!, in 4 top lists Check
  8. 8 new

    Yeogo goedam

    1998 — a.k.a. Whispering Corridors, in 1 top list Check
  9. 9 new

    Gongdong gyeongbi guyeok JSA

    2000 — a.k.a. Joint Security Area, in 3 top lists Check
  10. 10 new

    Akinjeon

    2019 — a.k.a. The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil, in 0 top lists
    Check
  11. 11 new

    Beoning

    2018 — a.k.a. Burning, in 8 top lists
    Check
  12. 12 new

    Sinsegye

    2013 — a.k.a. New World, in 1 top list Check
  13. 13 new

    Do-ga-ni

    2011 — a.k.a. Silenced, in 0 top lists Check
  14. 14 new

    Oldeuboi

    2003 — a.k.a. Oldboy, in 34 top lists Check
  15. 15 new

    Ji-geum-eun-mat-go-geu-ddae-neun-teul-li-da

    2015 — a.k.a. Right Now, Wrong Then, in 6 top lists Check
  16. 16 new

    Iodo

    1977 — a.k.a. Io Island, in 3 top lists Check
  17. 17 new

    Chugyeokja

    2008 — a.k.a. The Chaser, in 2 top lists Check
  18. 18 new

    Ah-ga-ssi

    2016 — a.k.a. The Handmaiden, in 13 top lists Check
  19. 19 new

    Obaltan

    1961 — a.k.a. Aimless Bullet, in 6 top lists Check
  20. 20 new

    Busanhaeng

    2016 — a.k.a. Train to Busan, in 4 top lists Check
  21. 21 new

    Mogadisyu

    2021 — a.k.a. Escape from Mogadishu, in 0 top lists
    Check
  22. 22 new

    Mideunaiteu

    2021 — a.k.a. Midnight, in 0 top lists
    Check
  23. 23 new

    Seom

    2000 — a.k.a. The Isle, in 2 top lists Check
  24. 24 new

    Swiri

    1999 — a.k.a. Shiri, in 3 top lists Check
  25. 25 new

    Madeo

    2009 — a.k.a. Mother, in 9 top lists Check
  26. 26 new

    Geuddae geusaramdeul

    2005 — a.k.a. The President's Last Bang, in 1 top list Check
  27. 27 new

    Dalkomhan insaeng

    2005 — a.k.a. A Bittersweet Life, in 2 top lists Check
  28. 28 new

    Ang-ma-reul bo-at-da

    2010 — a.k.a. I Saw the Devil, in 3 top lists Check
  29. 29 new

    Bom yeoreum gaeul gyeoul geurigo bom

    2003 — a.k.a. Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring, in 13 top lists Check
  30. 30 new

    Telmisseomding

    1999 — a.k.a. Tell Me Something, in 0 top lists Check
  31. 31 new

    Choyonghan kajok

    1998 — a.k.a. The Quiet Family, in 1 top list Check
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Last updated on Aug 6, 2022; source