Here are 10 Korean Movies for Your Binge-watching Pleasure

2024 was a very good year for Korean dramas, both series and movies. Several movies are still on my watch list because they are not yet available to the US audience.

(1) Harbin

A dramatization of the real-life story of Korean independence activist Ahn Jung-geun, who assassinated Itō Hirobumi, the first Prime Minister of Japan, in 1909.

Main Characters: An Jung-Geun (played by Hyun Bin)

(2) Hidden Face

The fiancée of an orchestra conductor disappears but left behind a video message. His fiancée was a cellist in the orchestra and she is replaced by another woman. As he searches for her, he becomes involved with the new cellist. Rather than solving the mystery of his fiancée's disappearance, he finds himself caught up in a complicated web of secrets, desires, and deception with the other woman. But what about his fiancée?

Main Characters: Seong-Jin (played by Song Seung-Heon); Soo-Yeon (played by Cho Yeo-Jeong); Mi-Joo (played by Park Ji-Hyun)

(3) I, the Executioner

A serial killer is on the loose and a veteran detective in the Violent Crimes Unit is assisted by a rookie detective who has just joined the team. The serial killer fancies himself a vigilante who is simply ensuring that justice is served. The media has nickenamed him “Haechi” (a mythical creature who maintain law and order). This movie is a sequel to “Veteran” (2015).

Main Characters: Detective Seo Do-Cheol (played by Hwang Jung-Min); Rookie Park Sun-Woo (played by Jung Hae-In)

(4) Handsome Guys

Don't you just love it when the life you have always dreamed of finally becomes reality? Two guys, carpenters by vocation, who always wanted to live a quiet and simple life in the country moved to their new home. But as soon as they get to town they are mistaken for being kidnappers. It's bad enough when your good intentions are mistaken for evil. It's even worse when you awaken an evil spirit ~ a goat demon ~ that was trapped in the basement of your dream house. Oh! It's just a demonic spirit capable of destroying the world. Thousands of years ago there was one carpenter who was known for casting out demons. A couple of carpenters living in the countryside ought to be able to handle a goat demon ~ easy, peasy.

Main Characters: Jae-Pil (played by Lee Sung-Min); Sang-Koo (played by Lee Hee-Jun)

(5) Land of Happiness

The backdrop for this film is South Korea's political turmoil in 1979. In real history, during that year President Park Chung-hee was assassinated. On December 12, 1979, Major General Chun Doo-hwan led a military coup, declared martial law, and took control of the country (“12.12: The Day”). “This period was characterized by political repression, human rights abuses, and the suppression of pro-democracy movements.” (REF: South Korea marks 45 years since 1979 coup and military dictatorship | CNA) According to the real historical record, Kim Jae-gyu, the director of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA), shot the president and he as convicted and executed. In this film, a secretary is implicated in the President's assassination, and a lawyer, who must defend the accused, is not sure if there can be a fair trial amidst predetermined military justice.

Main Characters: Lawyer Jung In-Hoo (played by Cho Jung-Seok); Accused Secretary Park Tae-Joo (played by Lee Sun-Kyun)

(6) Pilot

A pilot, who is an ace pilot that the Red Baron would be proud of, somehow managed to lose his job. He wasn't just fired. He was blacklisted and couldn't get a job with any airline. But there's no reason to let his flying skills go to waste. He takes his sister's identity, applies for a pilot job using her name, and gets hired. Who's gonna know? Flying high again! Genius!

Main Characters: Han Jung-Woo (played by Cho Jung-Seok)

(7) The Plot

A contract killer gets paid to commit murders, cleverly disguising the deaths as accidental. He's a highly skilled professional and never leaves any evidence behind. This particular “job” involves an influential figure in politics, that everybody is watching. It will be dangerous and difficult, but not impossible. He has teammates who work with him and is confident he can get the job done. No fuss. No mess. Besides … nothing has ever gone wrong before with his murder-for-hire contracts. Why should this one be any different? Uh oh. You know what they say? Never say NEVER.

Main Characters: Young-Il (played by Gang Dong-Won); Jackie (played by Lee Mi-Sook); Wol-Cheon (played by Lee Hyun-Wook); Jeom-Man (played by Tang Joon-Sang)

(8) Escape

A North Korean soldier tries to defect and make it across the DMZ border. But an officer in North Korea's State Security Department tries to stop him. To paraphrase the script:

• NK Officer: “Get real, soldier! You know escape is not allowed.”
• NK Soldier: “Yeah. That's why I didn't ask permission.”

Main Characters: Im Kyu-Nam (played by Lee Je-Hoon); Ri Hyun-Sang (played by Koo Kyo-Hwan); Sun Woo-Min (played by Song Kang)

(9) Walker

A teenager is faced with a difficult decision. He endures school bullying by day and domestic violence at home. His father is violent and his mother leaves because she can't take it anymore. He wants to stay with his father but he has to choose which parent to live with. It should be an easy choice. Why isn't it?

Main Characters: Jeong Hoon (played by Ahn Ji-Ho); Jeong Moo Jin (played by Ahn Nae-Sang); Lee So Yeon (played by Yun Yoo-Sun)

(10) You Will Die in 6 Hours

A young woman walking down the street is approached by a strange young man who tells her that she will die in 6 hours. He knows this because he can see the future. On the plus side: At least he doesn't know it because he plans to kill her! (O.o)

Main Characters: Joon-Woo (played by Jaehyun); Jeong-Yoon (played by Park Ju-Hyun); Detective Ki-Hoon (played by Kwak Si-Yang)

♦ Have you watched any of these Korean films?

♦ Are there any K-movies you'd like to suggest? (They don't have to be 2024 releases.)

Thanks for reading.