Film & TV

8 Best Korean Films To Watch on Netflix Now

From Bong Joon-ho’s ‘Okja,’ to sci-fi adventure ‘Space Sweepers.’

96.8K

8 Best Korean Films To Watch on Netflix Now

From Bong Joon-ho’s ‘Okja,’ to sci-fi adventure ‘Space Sweepers.’

The success of titles like Parasite and Minari, along with the rise of K-dramas, has led to an increasing interest in Korean-language films among cinephiles. For those on the hunt for new titles to watch on the weekends, we’ve gathered a list of the best movies from South Korea that are available on Netflix.

Our selection goes all the way back to 2006 when Bong Joon-Ho marked a breakout moment with his smash hit, The Host. Later on, the star director released Okja exclusively on Netflix with a star-studded cast including Tilda Swinton, Jake Gyllenhaal and Lily Collins.

If you’re looking for other thrillers to watch, consider movies like The Drug King or #Alive, a zombie story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. We’re also highlighting critically acclaimed releases such as Burning, as well as romance film Tune in for Love.

Continue reading for some of the best Korean movies you can watch on Netflix now.

While you are here, check out our list of must-watch romantic K-dramas.

The Host (2006)

Director: Bong Joon-ho
Cast: Doona Bae, Song Kang-ho, Go Ah-sung, Park Hae-il, Byun Hee-bong

The Host marked one of Bong’s most successful titles ever — the film set the record as the highest-grossing Korean film of all time. The movie is set in Seoul, where a mysterious monster emerges from the Han River. A group of characters living different lives come together to fight off the creature and save everyone from getting hurt.

Tazza: The Hidden Card (2014)

Director: Kang Hyeong-cheol
Cast: Choi Seung-hyun (T.O.P), Shin Se-kyung, Yoo Hae-jin, Hanee Lee

Tazza: The Hidden Card is the sequel to Tazza: The High Rollers, which was released back in 2006. The gambling story, based on a popular comic series by Huh Young-man, is told from the perspective of natural-born gambler Daegil (T.O.P) as he enters the scene in Seoul.

Okja (2017)

Director: Bong Joon-ho
Cast: Ahn Seo-hyun, Tilda Swinton, Byun Hee-bong, Jake Gyllenhaal, Paul Dano, Steven Yeun, Choi Woo-shik, Lily Collins

Following a global premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, Okja made its screen debut exclusively on Netflix in 2017. The film, starring big names like Tilda Swinton, Jake Gyllenhaal and Steven Yeun, follows a touching and dynamic story of young farmgirl Mija (Ahn Seo-hyun), who embarks on a journey to save her family’s “super pig” Okja.

Burning (2018)

Director: Lee Chang-dong
Cast: Steven Yeun, Yoo Ah-in, Jeon Jong-seo, Kim Soo-kyung

This 2018 psychological thriller is based on Haruki Murakami’s short story “Barn Burning” from The Elephant Vanishes. A deliveryman named Jongsu (Yoo Ah-in) coincidentally runs into Haemi (Jeon Jong-seo), a childhood friend. The two find themselves involved in a series of suspicious events after meeting a wealthy man named Ben (Steven Yeun).

The Drug King (2018)

Director: Woo Min-ho
Cast: Song Kang-ho, Jo Jung-suk, Doona Bae

A crime drama movie, The Drug King features actor Song Kang-ho as Lee Doo-sam, a drug dealer who rises to fame in Busan. Inspired by a true story from the ’70s, the main character builds a drug empire as he takes over the market, while prosecutor Kim In-goo (Jo Jung-suk) tries to catch him.

Tune in for Love (2019)

Director: Jung Ji-woo
Cast: Kim Go-eun, Jung Hae-in, Kim Gook-hee, Jung Yoo-jin

Starring Jung Hae-in and Kim Go-eun, Tune in for Love is the perfect movie for those looking for some heart-fluttering on-screen romance. Set in the ’90s around the IMF crisis, the movie depicts a love story between Mi-soo (Kim Go-eun) and Hyun-woo (Jung Hae-in) after the two first meet at the bakery Mi-soo works at.

#Alive (2020)

Director: Cho Il-hyung
Cast: Yoo Ah-in, Park Shin-hye

#Alive follows characters Joon-woo (Yoo Ah-in) and Yoo-bin (Park Shin-hye) as they struggle to survive a mysterious outbreak that later turns out to be a zombie apocalypse. The two, who live across from each other in the same apartment complex, begin communicating with one another by holding up signs. The two later meet up to escape in hopes of being saved by military forces.

Space Sweepers (2021)

Director: Jo Sung-hee
Cast: Song Joongki, Kim Taeri, Jin Seon-kyu, Yoo Hae-jin, Kim Mu-yeol

This film portrays a dystopian world where the Earth is no longer habitable. While a large corporation dubbed UTS constructs a new home for the elite on Mars, Victory Ship – a crew of Koreans who pick up floating debris in space – encounters Dorothy, a child robot known to be a highly dangerous weapon. Upon its release, the sci-fi title topped Netflix charts worldwide, debuting at No. 1 in Korea, France, Malaysia, the Philippines and more.

Read Full Article
Text By
Share this article

What to Read Next

Here's Why You Shouldn't Post Your COVID Vaccine Card on Social Media
Culture

Here's Why You Shouldn't Post Your COVID Vaccine Card on Social Media

Experts are warning against the pandemic-era Instagram trend.

2021 SAG Awards: All the Best-Dressed Celebrities
Fashion

2021 SAG Awards: All the Best-Dressed Celebrities

Stunning red carpet looks from Jurnee Smollett, Anya Taylor-Joy, Viola Davis and more.

BLACKPINK's Rosé Does the WAP Challenge, Finally
Music

BLACKPINK's Rosé Does the WAP Challenge, Finally

And Cardi B approves.

Tekla Introduces New Striped Organic Cotton Towels to Its Homeware Lineup
Art & Design

Tekla Introduces New Striped Organic Cotton Towels to Its Homeware Lineup

Revamp your space with these decorative throws.

20 TikTok Recipes You Can Easily Make at Home
Culture

20 TikTok Recipes You Can Easily Make at Home

Cloud bread, dalgona coffee and more viral food trends to try.

Rising Korean Label TheOpen Product Goes Old School for SS21
Fashion

Rising Korean Label TheOpen Product Goes Old School for SS21

Wardrobe must-haves for the upcoming seasons.

Nike Unveils Its Latest ACG Collection Through an Immersive Virtual Experience
Fashion

Nike Unveils Its Latest ACG Collection Through an Immersive Virtual Experience

Comprised of functional silhouettes made for all types of weather conditions.

Nike's SB Zoom Blazer Mid Premium Gets Dressed in Spring-Ready Pastel Hues
Footwear

Nike's SB Zoom Blazer Mid Premium Gets Dressed in Spring-Ready Pastel Hues

A must-have for your seasonal rotation.

These 10 Hair Color Trends Are Going To Take Over Spring 2021
Beauty

These 10 Hair Color Trends Are Going To Take Over Spring 2021

From golden blonde to natural-looking highlights, get ideas for your next dye job.

Meet THE SERIES, the Slow Fashion Label Loved for Its Crochet and Patchwork Designs
Fashion

Meet THE SERIES, the Slow Fashion Label Loved for Its Crochet and Patchwork Designs

Sustainable garments made using pre-existing materials only.

More ▾
 

Looks like you’re using an ad-blocker

We charge advertisers instead of our readers. Support us by whitelisting our site.

Whitelist Us

How to Whitelist Us

screenshot
  1. Click the AdBlock icon in the browser extension area in the upper right-hand corner.
  2. Under “Pause on this site” click “Always”.
  3. Refresh the page or click the button below to continue.
screenshot
  1. Click the AdBlock Plus icon in the browser extension area in the upper right-hand corner.
  2. Block ads on – This website” switch off the toggle to turn it from blue to gray.
  3. Refresh the page or click the button below to continue.
screenshot
  1. Click the AdBlocker Ultimate icon in the browser extension area in the upper right-hand corner.
  2. Switch off the toggle to turn it from “Enabled on this site” to “Disabled on this site”.
  3. Refresh the page or click the button below to continue.
screenshot
  1. Click the Ghostery icon in the browser extension area in the upper right-hand corner.
  2. Click on the “Ad-Blocking” button at the bottom. It will turn gray and the text above will go from “ON” to “OFF”.
  3. Refresh the page or click the button below to continue.
screenshot
  1. Click the UBlock Origin icon in the browser extension area in the upper right-hand corner.
  2. Click on the large blue power icon at the top.
  3. When it turns gray, click the refresh icon that has appeared next to it or click the button below to continue.
screenshot
  1. Click the icon of the ad-blocker extension installed on your browser.You’ll usually find this icon in the upper right-hand corner of your screen. You may have more than one ad-blocker installed.
  2. Follow the instructions for disabling the ad blocker on the site you’re viewing.You may have to select a menu option or click a button.
  3. Refresh the page or click the button below to continue.