From action movies to critiques of social class and contemporary society, Korean movies, and broader East Asian cinema, have been enjoying their moment on the global stage. While directors like Park Chan-wook and Bong Joon-ho are increasingly finding success not only in South Korea, but the American and Western markets as well, Korean films and dramas are becoming easier to access more than ever.
This is giving more exposure to Korean culture and history, which many people may not have been aware of at all until watching these forms of content and entertainment. These Korean movies are based on real events and history, whether they’re crime movies full of tragedy, or films set in a more contemporary background and sociopolitical climate.
10 The Chaser (2008)
Released in 2008, The Chaser was directed by Na Hong-jin, who later gained acclaim for his movie The Wailing. Its main character is Joong-jo, a former cop who’s gone dirty. Now a pimp, he finds himself in a peculiar new situation: two of his prostitutes have gone missing. When he sets out to find them, it results in his story becoming deeply woven together with the life of an active serial killer.
Based on a Real-Life Serial Killer
The Chaser is based on a real case that happened in the Seoul Metropolitan area: serial killer Yoo Young-chul targeted sex workers and older women during the early-2000s. This is not an easy movie to watch at all, but it certainly has quite the story to tell with its own flair. Stream on AMC+
9 Memories of Murder (2003)
Bong Joon-ho might have made Korean film history when his movie Parasite landed in movie theaters all over the world, but one of his most iconic early movies was Memories of Murder. Based on the story of a series of murders that happened in the Hwaseong region, Song Kang-ho stars in the film as a detective placed on the case to figure out the culprit. With his team, though, they’re going to hit a lot of dead ends.
A Masterclass in Filmmaking
Out of Bong Joon-ho’s filmography, Memories of Murder stands out as one of his best movies. With a solid cast and tension exacerbated by the technical elements of the movie, it’s worth it for every cinephile to watch the film at least once. Rent on Apple TV
8 Silenced (2011)
Gong Yoo stars in the 2011 movie Silenced, which is based on a novel by Gong Ji-young. His character has just been given a new career opportunity: stationed at a school for the deaf, he arrives with bright eyes and a big heart. But when the students act timid and run around him, he begins questioning what’s happening at the school. What he discovers is this: the students are being sexually abused by other faculty members at the school.
Harrowing Tales of Injustice
The story behind Silenced is this: in the early 2000s, students at a school for the deaf were sexually assaulted by faculty members. The film serves as a reminder as to why these stories are told and kept alive, as they help prevent it from happening to another generation. Stream on Netflix
7 The Last Princess (2016)
2016’s The Last Princess features popular actress Son Ye-jin as Deok-hye, the last princess of Joseon. Forced into exile after the Japanese take over Korea, effectively putting it under colonial rule, Deok-hye is taken to Japan. She misses her home and life in Korea, but when she meets someone from her past involved with the resistance, it will completely change her life and purpose.
Unique Perspectives into a Historical Past
Korean cinema has often tackled the story of the colonial period and resistance against the Japanese by locals, but The Last Princess is a deeply effective take on the violence of the period in one woman’s life. Son is brilliant in the film, making it a standout in her filmography. Stream on Prime Video
6 The President’s Last Bang (2005)
Established director Im Sang-soo came out with the movie The President’s Last Bang, which takes in the period directly before the assassination of dictator Park Chung-hee. The movie takes place only hours before Park was gunned down by the head of his security, showing how the characters were preparing for the event and what led them to taking such drastic actions against their leader.
A Stylish Take on a Big Historical Moment
The President’s Last Bang is a unique movie because of how mixes politics and action in a way that has a different kind of rhythm. It has plenty to offer about the politics of the period, and the people involved with taking down one of the most powerful men in the country. Stream on Kocowa
5 Judgment (1999)
Before director Park Chan-wook rose to fame for his early-2000s Vengeance Trilogy, or erotic tales within The Handmaiden, he released a short film with searing commentary on the current state of Korea at the time. Judgment clocks in at under 30 minutes, but takes place solely in a morgue. Several people are debating over the identity of the body, trying to claim the girl as their own, as Park cuts to documentary footage of disasters.
Profiting on Disaster
The core of Judgment was the major collapse of a Korean department store in 1995, which killed many. As Park utilizes documentary footage, he’s making major comments about how people are willing to profit off of death and misery, especially as those in the morgue debate over a body to collect the money associated with the disaster. Stream on MUBI
4 A Taxi Driver (2017)
Song Kang-ho stars in A Taxi Driver, which has been one of his many notable roles throughout his extensive career in Korean cinema. Set in 1980, he portrays a taxi driver who accidentally finds himself in the middle of the Gwangju Uprising, where many sought to protest against the Korean government in place at the time. He brings a German journalist to Gwangju, which is how he becomes caught in this mess.
A Different Kind of Perspective
Based on a true story recalled by a German journalist at the time, Song truly shines in A Taxi Driver. There’s immense trauma involved with the event the movie depicts, serving as another reminder of how far Korea has come as a democracy. Stream on Viki
3 Han Gong-ju (2013)
Han Gong-ju, which came out in 2013, is based on the Miryang gang rape case that impacted many high and middle school girls living in the area during that time. The main character is Gong-ju, who has to defend herself and claim she did nothing wrong, yet is forced to transfer schools. As the movie continues, it exposes her recent tragic past.
Not for the Faint of Heart
Despite Han Gong-ju being an indie movie, it managed to gain quite a bit of traction in South Korea upon its release. Its subject is incredibly difficult, but shows how women and girls can easily become victims and be preyed upon in certain circumstances. Rent on Prime Video
2 The Attorney (2013)
The Attorney came out in 2013, but the story it is based on took place several decades prior, in the early-80s. Set in the Chun Doo-hwan regime, right after Park Chung-hee was assassinated, a group of students, teachers, and organizers found themselves accused of something major. Told they are North Korean spies, they are arrested, and the lawyers who came to their rescue would become major figures in Korean politics.
Historical Courtroom Drama, But Educational
The Attorney has become one of the most successful movies in Korean history, and with its accessible approach towards telling this kind of tale, it’s no surprise as to why that’s the case. As a courtroom drama, it’s fairly compelling, making it an entertaining watch. Stream on Kocowa
1 Northern Limit Line (2015)
2015’s Northern Limit Line takes place in 2002, as South Korea hosted the World Cup and embarked on its most ambitious run in the World Cup so far. However, far from the action, sailors in the navy are finding themselves grappling with a new problem: North Korea is sending spies over the Northern Limit Line disguised as sailors. As the conflict escalates, some drastic decisions might be forced.
Gripping During War and Survival
Based on the true events that happened in 2002, Northern Limit Line is a must-watch for those who love war films. With the perfect mix of drama, action, and warfare, there’s a lot to admire in how it adds to the genre. Stream on Tubi
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
