50 Best Korean Movies Of All Time To Watch in US in 2023

  • Chris Mack by Chris Mack
  • Last updated: September 27, 2023
  • 0
best-korean-movies

Korean movies are very popular in South Korea and around the world. They are mainly known for being lighthearted and funny but can also be thought-provoking. If you have never seen a Korean movie before, we guarantee you will love them at first sight. Our article will help you find out which ones to watch first.

You can watch these movies on Amazon Prime, Netflix, or Hulu. It is important to note here that the content library of these streaming services differs in every country. So some movies may be restricted in your country.

However, with a VPN, you can easily unblock them and watch from anywhere without any hassle. We recommend ExpressVPN as the best VPN for streaming.

Here’s our list of best Korean Movies Of All Time To Watch in US in 2023.

Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds (2017)

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Director: Yong-hwa Kim
Writer: Kim Yong-hwa
Cast: Cha Tae-hyun, Ha Jung-woo, Ju Ji-hoon
Genre: Fantasy, Action
IMDB Rating: 7.2/10
Runtime: 2h 19m

Kim Ja-hong, a brave firefighter, dies while doing his duty, and his soul gets trapped in the world of the afterlife. Three heavenly guardians now have the responsibility to defend him from 7 trials that he’ll be facing due to accidental deaths caused by him while doing his duties.

They only have 49 days to prove that Kim Ja-hong deserves to pass the trials. If they succeed, he will get reincarnated, followed by the reincarnation of his three guardians.

Be With You (2018)

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Director: Lee Jang-hoon
Writer:  Yoshikazu Okada, Takuji Ichikawa
Cast: Son Ye-jin, So Ji-sub
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
IMDB Rating: 7.7/10
Runtime: 2h 12m

A woman promises her husband that she’ll return back to life while on her deathbed. She says she will meet him next year at the beginning months of the monsoon season.

Miraculously, the woman keeps her promise. She comes into the lives of her son and husband a year after her death. However, she doesn’t have any recollection of her past life. But, their reunion does not last long as she has to leave them behind soon.

Parasite (2019)

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Director: Bong Joon-ho
Writer: Han Jin-won, Bong Joon-ho
Cast: Park Seo-joon, Yeo-jeong Cho
Genre: Drama, Thriller
IMDB Rating: 8.5/10
Runtime: 2h 12m

In a world where it is almost impossible to survive if you don’t have enough funding, the Kim family is trying their best to make ends meet.

One day, one member of the Kim family gets hired by a wealthy family in the town, known as the Parks. The Kim family took it as an opportunity, and every member managed to get a job in the Parks’ mansion. There, they start to live a  parasitic life.

The Parasite is one of the Best Korean Movies Of All Time To Watch in US  with your friends and family. It teaches you how difficult is life sometimes, and how one should try to get out of it.

Escape From Mogadishu (2021)

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Director: Ryoo Seung-wan
Writer: Ryoo Seung-wan
Cast: Jo In-sung, Heo Joon-ho, Kim Yoon-seok
Genre: Drama, Action
IMDB Rating: 7/10
Runtime: 2h 1m

The film is set in the year 1991 when Mogadishu, Somalia is being controlled by the government of Barre. However, the capital city starts to experience uninvited chaos when a rebel movement begins to emerge in the area.

At the same time, embassies based in both South and North Korea are insisting on getting involved in the UN. They are seeking support from the Somalia government. The title is considered among the best action Korean movies to stream.

The Wailing (2016) 

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Director: Na Hong-jin
Writer: Chun Woo-hee, Na Hong-jin
Cast: Jun Kunimura
Genre: Thriller, Horror
IMDB Rating: 7.4/10
Runtime: 2h 36m

An unknown virus breaks out in a small village named Gokseong, South Korea. It makes people lose their minds and become violent killers. Police officers Jong-goo and Oh Seong-bok are looking into the matter.

They encounter a strange naked woman several times when trying to protect the villagers from becoming the victim of the virus outbreak. A native hunter informs them about an evil entity living in the forest, who could possibly be the reason for this crisis. The Wailing is one of the best movies on Amazon Prime.

Burning (2018)

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Director: Lee Chang-dong
Writer: Lee Chang-dong, Oh Jung-mi
Cast: Steven Yeun, Yoo Ah-in, Jeon Jong-seo
Genre: Mystery, Drama
IMDB Rating: 7.5/10
Runtime: 2h 28m

The plot revolves around a wannabe popular novelist. But, presently, he is entangled in different jobs to earn a living. One day he comes across his old classmate, a girl who he didn’t recognize at first as she had plastic surgery recently.

She asks him to take care of her pet cat as she will be away from home for some days. But, when he visits her apartment, she instructs him to get intimate with her.

Space Sweepers (2021)

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Director: Jo Sung-hee
Writer: Yoo-kang Seo-ae
Cast: Kim Tae-ri, Jin Seon-kyu
Genre: Space Opera, Sci-fi
IMDB Rating: 6.5/10
Runtime: 2h 16m

It’s 2092, and the planet Earth has become uninhabitable for humans. However, to tackle the situation, UTS corporation comes with a solution. They build orbiting homes for people to live in. It contains a similar ecosystem as Earth.

But, only rich and wealthy families were allowed to shift to these orbiting homes. People left on Earth had no other option than to stay somehow in the polluted surrounding. Its engaging storyline makes it one of the Best Korean Movies Of All Time To Watch in US. 

Train to Busan (2016)

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Director: Yeon Sang-ho
Writer: Park Joo-suk
Cast: Jung Yu-mi, Gong Yoo, Ma Dong-seok
Genre: Action, Horror
IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
Runtime: 1h 58m

Train to Busan is based on a Zombie outbreak on a train filled with thousands of passengers. Seok-woo, who is a father of a young girl, is traveling to Busan with his daughter.

It’s his daughter’s birthday, so they are going to celebrate it in Busan, where her mother lives. Soon after the train embarks on the journey, they get surrounded by people turning into deadly Zombies who are hungry for human flesh.

1987: When the Day Comes (2017)

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Director: Jang Joon-hwan
Writer: Kim Kyung-chan
Cast: Ha Jung-woo, Kim Yoon-seok Ha Jung-woo
Genre: Political Thriller, Drama
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
Runtime: 2h 9m

An activist dies out of the blue during an interrogation process under the supervision of commissioner Park Cheo-won. On getting the news, the commissioner tries to cover the incident by cremating the dead body as soon as possible.

They announced that the boy died due to a heart attack, but his uncle believes otherwise. He investigates the case in his own way and finds out that the boy died due to reasons other than police brutality.

Peninsula (2020)

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Director: Yeon Sang-ho
Writer: Ryu Yong-jae, Yeon Sang-ho
Cast: Lee Jung-hyun, Gang Dong-won
Genre: Thriller, Action
IMDB Rating: 5.5/10
Runtime: 1h 56m

Peninsula is one of the Best Korean Movies Of All Time To Watch in US as it narrates the tale of a captain who wanted to save his family from a Zombie attack.

People in South Korea are suffering from brutal attacks by zombies. A captain named Jung-Seok saves his family by sending them away from the infected location via a ship. But his efforts fail as a man on the ship gets infected due to a zombie’s bite.

That man further bites family members of Jung-Seok, turning them all into zombies. Jung-Seok is heartbroken, but he has to fight them to save himself. It comes among the best zombie Korean movies that are popular globally.

Psychokinesis (2018)

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Director: Yeon Sang-ho
Writer: Yeon Sang-ho
Cast: Shim Eun-kyung, Ryu Seung-ryong, Park Jung-min
Genre: Adventure, Action
IMDB Rating: 5.9/10
Runtime: 1h 41m

Shin Roo-mi is the owner of a thriving fried chicken restaurant located in Seoul. She gets into a real estate conflict with a big construction firm. The firm owners put all their efforts into defeating her and tore her business apart.

They construct a huge shopping center for tourists beside her restaurant and evict her forcibly from her place by leaving thugs after her. Viewers will see how she fights back against evil construction company owners.

We must say it is one of the best action movies on Netlfix.

The Handmaiden (2016)

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Director: Park Chan-wook
Writer: Jeong Seo-Gyeong,  Park Chan-wook
Cast: Kim Tae-ri, Kim Min-hee, Ha Jung-woo
Genre: Romance, Drama
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
Runtime: 2h 24m

A fraudster has his eyes on Lady Hideko. She is a Japanese heiress and has inherited a lot of wealth and power. The fraudster working under Count Fujiwara tries to seduce her.

He plans to wed her and take away all her wealth and inheritance. To do the job, he teams up with Sook-hee, a pickpocket who becomes the maid for Hideko. Her job was to convince Hideko to marry that con man.

Call (2020)

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Director: Lee Chung-hyeon
Writer: Sergio Casci, Lee Chung-hyeon
Cast: Jeon Jong-seo, Park Shin-hye, Kim Sung-ryung
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
IMDB Rating: 7.1/10
Runtime: 1h 52m

Two women connect with one another through a phone call: Seo-Yeon, who is living in the present, and Young-sook, who was alive 20 years ago. Seo-Yeon saves Young-sook’s life by informing her that her own mother is about to kill her.

Due to this, history gets altered, and Young-sook’s present changes, but she turns out to be a serial killer. Seo-Yeon notices the disappearance of some people around her and finds out that Young-sook killed them 20 years ago.

Midnight (2021)

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Director: Kwon Oh-seung
Writer: Kwon Oh-seung
Cast: Wi Ha-joon, Jin Ki-joo, Kim Hye-yoon
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
IMDB Rating: 6.4/10
Runtime: 1h 43m

Another admired title among the Best Korean Movies Of All Time To Watch in US is Midnight. A brave deaf woman named Kyeong-mi is employed at a sign language call center as a counselor. During her work day, she encounters a criminal incident where a person gets badly stabbed.

Because she witnessed the crime, now she has become the target of those criminals. She informs her brother about what happened, who is determined to save his sister’s life at any cost.

Carter (2022)

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Director: Jeong Byeong-Gil
Writer: Jung Byeong-sik, Jung Byung-gil
Cast: Lee Sung-jae, Joo Won
Genre: Action
IMDB Rating: 5.1/10
Runtime: 2h 12m

A man with no past memories wakes up in a motel room. His bed is filled with blood stains, and the back of his head has a scar in cross-shape.

In no time, a team of armed CIA officers burst into his room and started to ask him questions related to a doctor named Jung Byung-ho. With no recollection of memories, he finds it hard to respond to officers.

Sweet & Sour (2021)

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Director: Lee Gae-byok
Writer: Kurumi Inui
Cast: Chae Soo-bin, Jang Ki-yong
Genre: n/a
IMDB Rating: 6.7/10
Runtime: 1h 41m

Hyuk is suffering from Hepatitis B and is hospitalized. His parents become resentful of him due to his disease, but a nurse feels empathetic and takes good care of him.

Over time they fall for each other leading to their closeness. The nurse spends most of her time serving Hyuk. After his discharge, they both get separated. However, they can’t help but miss one another deeply.  It tops among the best drama Korean movies.

The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion (2018)

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Director: Park Hoon-jung
Writer: Park Hoon-jung
Cast: Jo Min-su, Kim Da-mi, Choi Woo-shik
Genre: Action, Mystery
IMDB Rating: 7.1/10
Runtime: 2h 5m

Due to a violent incident at a laboratory, many people die on the spot. A young girl somehow saves herself and escapes the place. The members who were responsible for the incident thought the girl had died.

The girl runs far away from the lab. She gets very tired and falls to the ground on the farmland. The farm’s owner finds her and helps her to recover by letting her stay in their home.

#Alive (2020)

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Director: Il Cho
Writer: Il Cho, Matt Naylor
Cast: Park Shin-hye, Yoo Ah-in
Genre: Thriller, Drama
IMDB Rating: 6.3/10
Runtime: 1h 39m

Oh, Joon-woo lives alone in his apartment. He comes to know that a zombie apocalypse has started in the town, and he needs to stay hidden in his place.

On hearing some noises, he decides to inspect the apartment’s hallway. All of a sudden, a neighbor comes running toward him and begs him to stay together. But, later, the neighbor turns into a Zombie as he was bitten by one earlier.

Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018)

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Director: Jung Bum-shik
Writer: Park Sang-min
Cast: Park Ji-hyun, Wi Ha-joon
Genre: Mystery, Horror
IMDB Rating: 6.3/10
Runtime: 1h 34m

A crew of filmmakers arrives at an isolated asylum in order to shoot live streaming of the haunted place. It was part of their work as they have been filming a horror web series for a long while.

As time passes, they start to discover the presence of spirits around them. Some of them had spine-chilling encounters. Will they be able to get out of the asylum safely? To know, watch the full movie, which is also one of the best horror Korean movies.

Along With The Gods: The Last 49 Days (2018)

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Director: Yong-hwa Kim
Writer: Kim Yong-hwa
Cast: Ju Ji-hoon, Ha Jung-woo, Kim Hyang-gi
Genre: Fantasy, Action
IMDB Rating: 7.1/10
Runtime: 2h 22m

The 49th Soul is about to get guidance from 3 guardians to pass the trials. The soul is of the brother of the lead character of this movie’s previous part. This time, the 3 guardians are awarded their past memories of 1000 years ago.

They are also assigned to take care of a young boy and his old grandmother as they both struggle to make it to the world without getting caught up in poverty. The movie has many emotional scenes in some parts.

A Taxi Driver (2017)

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Director: Jang Hoon
Writer: Kim Jae-bum, Kim Sang-bum
Cast: Thomas Kretschmann, Song Kang-ho, Yoo Hae-jin
Genre: Drama, Action
IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
Runtime: 2h 17m

A single father, Kim Man-seob, has been working as a taxi driver for a long while now. But, his earnings are not sufficient. One day he hears about a customer who would pay 100,000 won for a trip to a fellow driver.

He inquires about the customer and gets to know that the customer wants a trip to Gwangju. He also insists on returning back to Seoul before the curfew starts. Kim Man-seob puts all his efforts into stealing that customer from that fellow driver.

Okja (2017)

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Director: Bong Joon-ho
Writer: Jon Ronson, Bong Joon-ho
Cast: Paul Dano, Tilda Swinton, Paul Dano
Genre: Drama, Adventure
IMDB Rating: 7.3/10
Runtime: 2h 0m

The film is set in 2007 and features Lucy Mirando, who is a dedicated environmentalist. Aside from this, she is a determined businesswoman who started Mirando Corporation and took the position of CEO. Her business gets more prominent with time.

The Mirando Corporation announces that they are nurturing a super pig, which has some special abilities than ordinary pigs. The company sends 26 different specimens to farmers across the world. After 10 years, only one among them will be crowned as the most special pig by the company.

Special Cargo (2022)

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Director: Dae-min Park
Writer: Park Dae-min
Cast: Song Sae-byeok, Park So-dam,
Kim Eui-sung
Genre: Thriller, Action
IMDB Rating: 6.3/10
Runtime: 1h 48m

Eun-ha is a dedicated black market delivery driver who has a 100% success rate. While on her duty, she came to find out that a young kid had hidden himself in her car. The child doesn’t reveal his identity and requests her to protect him.

Now, Eun-ha is in-charge of taking care of that kid. At first, she tries to get rid of him, but later they make a bond.

Extreme Job (2019)

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Director:  Lee Byeong-heon
Writer: Bae Se-young
Cast: Lee Hanee, Ryu Seung-ryong, Jin Seon-kyu
Genre: Comedy, Crime
IMDB Rating: 7/10
Runtime: 1h 51m

You can call it one of the best gangster Korean movies ever made. A narcotics detective team fails in their recent mission. Now, they have only one chance to prove their capabilities in front of upper management.

They decide to go after the most sought-after drug gang who have their networks globally. The team performs well-planned undercover surveillance of the drug gang. They use a chicken restaurant as a stakeout location. In fact, it is one of the best Korean Movies Of All Time To Watch in US.

Pandora (2016)

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Director:  Park Jung-woo
Writer:  Park Jung-woo
Cast: Kim Young-ae, Kim Nam-gil
Genre: 6.6/10
IMDB Rating:
Runtime: 2h 16m

Jae-hyeok has been employed at the nuclear power plant situated nearby his house. The plant is the sole source of energy for the whole town. It has also given employment to many natives.

However, Jae-hyeok doesn’t want to work in the plant anymore. Instead, he wants to pursue a fishing vessel to earn a better monthly income than what he receives from the plant. But, when he told people about this, they discouraged him.

The Treacherous (2015)

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Director: Min Kyu-dong
Writer: Min Kyu-dong
Cast: Kim Kang-woo, Ju Ji-hoon, Lim Ji-yeon
Genre: History, Drama
IMDB Rating: 6.1/10
Runtime: 2h 13m

The ruler of the Joseon country, king Yeonsan is narcissistic and selfish by nature; he takes advantage of the native people’s helplessness to fulfill his desires and pleasures.

The king is assisted by a loyal retainer who takes care of all court dealings and even manipulates the king’s decisions on most matters. However, certain events start to occur that threaten King Yeonsan’s thriving lifestyle. The storyline takes many unexpected turns as it progresses.

Night in Paradise (2020)

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Director: Park Hoon-jung
Writer: Park Hoon-jung
Cast: Uhm Tae-goo, Jeon Yeo-been
Genre: Drama
IMDB Rating: 6.7/10
Runtime: 2h 11m

Chairman Doh offers Tae-gu, a mobster, an opportunity to switch sides with his longtime rival gang named Bukseong. But Tae-gu rejects his offer, which leads to the brutal killing of his niece and sister.

Tae-gu loses his temper and takes revenge on the chairman by murdering him. He also kills a few people who worked for the chairman. Later he flies to Jeju Island and waits for things to get normal so that he can move on in his life.

The Villainess (2017)

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Director: Jeong Byeong-Gil
Writer: Jung Byeong-sik, Jung Byung-gil
Cast: Shin Ha-kyun, Kim Ok-vin
Genre: Thriller, Action
IMDB Rating: 6.6/10
Runtime: 2h 4m

A skilled and merciless assassin kills many people in a hallway, but soon, cops surround her and manage to catch her. However, she doesn’t seem to be scared at all.

She has been training since her childhood to become a ruthless assassin. The intelligence agency of South Korea takes her with them and offers her a new identity and freedom to leave freely if she agrees to work as an agent for them.

House of Hummingbird (2018)

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Director: Bora Kim
Writer: Kim Bora
Cast: Kim Sae-byuk, Park Ji-hu, Jung In-gi
Genre: Drama
IMDB Rating: 7.4/10
Runtime: 2h 18m

A story of a sweet 14 years old girl who has a best friend she spends the most time with and enjoys making drawings. She goes to cram school with her best friend and has a secret boyfriend too.

But, her relationship with her parents is not what she wanted it to be. Her father and mother do not pay attention to her needs. Instead, they shower all their love on her older brother.

Minari (2020)

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Director: Lee Isaac Chung
Writer: Lee Isaac Chung
Cast: Han Ye-ri, Steven Yeun, Alan Kim
Genre: Drama
IMDB Rating: 7.4/10
Runtime: 1h 55m

In the early 80s, the Yi family shifted from California to Arkansas, which is a ruler area. Jacob, the father, strives to earn a living for his family by trading Korean products to marketers in Dallas.

For this, he takes the help of a native man named Paul. Jacob is positive about his new business and gets fully involved in it. But, his wife is worried about their kid who has a critical heart condition, and is disappointed in Jacob for not paying attention.

Recalled (2021)

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Director: Seo You-min
Writer: Seo Yoo-min
Cast: Kim Kang-woo, Seo Yea-ji
Genre: Drama, Mystery
IMDB Rating: 6.7/10
Runtime: 1h 39m

A woman named Soo-jin meets with an unfortunate accident that causes her to lose all her memories. Though she can’t remember her own identity, she gets blessed with a supernatural ability after the accident.

She becomes able to see visions of the future, and her illusions start to turn into reality. However, she begins to receive her past memories as well and ends up meeting her husband named, Ji-hoon.

The Suspect (2013)

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Director:  Won Shin-yun
Writer: Im Sang-yoon
Cast: Park Hee-soon, Gong Yoo
Genre: Crime, Action
IMDB Rating:
Runtime: 2h 17m

Ji Dong-Cheol used to be the top agent in the special force department in North Korea. But, later, he got abandoned by the current government due to some political reasons.

Things got worse for him after that. His daughter and wife get sold in China’s slavery area. He tries to find them before it’s too late but discovers their dead bodies instead. Now, he is raged to find the individuals behind their deaths.

The Battleship Island (2017)

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Director:  Ryoo Seung-wan
Writer: Ryoo Seung-wan
Cast: So Ji-sub, Hwang Jung-min, Song Joong-ki
Genre: War, Action
IMDB Rating: 7.1/10
Runtime: 2h 12m

The film revolves around the time frame of World War 2. A Korean group with more than 400 individuals is facing harsh economic conditions and is compelled to work as laborers on the Island of Hashima.

However, when an activist finds them and decides to make them free from slavery, the group hopes for a better fate ahead. However, their owners plan to kill all of them by bombing the island when they hear about the protest.

The Great Battle (2018)

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Director: Kim Kwang-sik
Writer: Mo Hong-jin
Cast: Nam Joo-hyuk, Jo In-sung, Park Sung-woong
Genre: War, Action
IMDB Rating: 7/10
Runtime: 2h 15m

It’s a historical movie that covers the story of a unique 88-day-long battle between Goguryeo troops and over 5 lakh invaders. Yang Man-Chun and the troops decided they would save their land anyhow from the invader even when there was a risk of dying.

They are out there to protect Ansi Fortress. They face a huge army of well-trained and merciless soldiers from the Tang Dynasty. It has an epic storyline and will keep you hooked throughout the movie.

High Society (2018)

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Director: Hyuk Byun
Writer:  Hyuk Byun
Cast: Soo Ae, Park Hae-il
Genre: Drama
IMDB Rating: 5.5/10
Runtime: 2h 0m

It’s a tale of a married couple who belong to a posh society. They are rich and have an impressive social status. The husband works at Seoul National University as a senior professor. He is also willing to be part of the National Assembly.

His wife also has a financially fulfilling career as a deputy director as well as the curator of a popular art gallery. But, are they actually happy in their lives?

Miracle: Letters to the President (2021)

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Director: Lee Jang-hoon
Writer: Son Joo-yeon, Lee Jang-hoon
Cast: Im Yoon-ah, Park Jeong-min, Im Yoon-ah
Genre: Drama, Romance
IMDB Rating: 7.2/10
Runtime: 1h 57m

It is a true story that’s set around a unique family in the early 80s. The family lives in a remote area where there are no transportation facilities available.

The-Yoon is an engineer by profession and aims to establish a train station near his village as the area has only tracks, with no station building. He, along with his son, his girlfriend, and his older sister, work together to establish the first privately owned station in the area.

The Battle of Jangsari (2019)

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Director: Tae-hoon Kim, Kwak Kyung-taek
Writer: Jung Tae-won, Lee Man-Hee
Cast: Megan Fox, Kim Myung-min, Choi Min-ho
Genre: Action, War
IMDB Rating: 6.2/10
Runtime: 1h 44m

This title is the one to watch if you are looking for the best South Korean movies. A group of student soldiers with 772 individuals is being led by a force commander for a guerrilla task. They go to Jangsari Beach to complete a diversionary mission in South Korea.

Their aim is to deceive their opponents by making an illusion that they are launching an invasion in their region. An American reporter joins them and requests the international community to help these soldiers with needed essential supplies and training.

The Spy Gone North (2018)

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Director:  Yoon Jong-bin
Writer: Yoon Jong-bin, Kwon Sung-hwi
Cast: Lee Sung-min, Hwang Jung-min, Cho Jin-woong
Genre: Spy, Drama
IMDB Rating: 7.3/10
Runtime: 2h 17m

The plot focuses on a spy who works for the South Korean police department. He is sent to North Korea to obtain assistance for the nuclear-weapons plans of the country.

He works tirelessly for his side of the department to get all the details and insights they want. But, later, he realizes that he is being manipulated by his side of the department. Now, it is up to him to stop anything malicious from happening.

Rampant (2018)

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Director: Kim Sung-hoon
Writer: Hwang Jo-yoon
Cast: Jang Dong-gun, Hyun Bin
Jang Dong-gun
Genre: Horror, Action
IMDB Rating: 6.3/10
Runtime: 2h 1m

King Lee, the ruler of the Joseon dynasty, has a reputation for being unnecessarily deferential to China’s Qing dynasty, which is located near his region.

He has a son named Lee Young. He is given the title of Crown Prince of the dynasty. Lee Young plans to purchase European arquebuses to get rid of the Qing. But, his plans get exposed as a War Minister named Kim Ja-Joon finds out about it.

Tune in for Love (2019)

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Director: Jung Ji-woo
Writer: Lee Suk-Yeon, Jung Ji-woo
Cast: Jung Hae-in, Kim Go-eun
Genre: Drama, Romance
IMDB Rating: 7.1/10
Runtime: 2h 2m

It is a romance-based best Korean Movies Of All Time To Watch in US of all time. The protagonists, Hyun Woo and Mi Soo, are shown as hardworking and optimistic by nature. They both are living their separate lives before meeting each other at a backey.

They connect deeply with each other by sharing stories and experiences on a radio station. After a while, they start developing feelings for one another. Though their fate made them meet many times on different occasions, somehow, the timing was never in their favor.

Illang: The Wolf Brigade (2018)

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Director:  Kim Jee-woon
Writer: Jeon Cheol-hong, Kim Jee-woon
Cast: Han Hyo-joo, Gang Dong-won, Jung Woo-sung
Genre: Sci-fi, Action
IMDB Rating: 5.9/10
Runtime: 2h 19m

The plot is set in a future time frame; the year is 2024. The political order has been disrupted in the Korean peninsula. It happens due to the territorial disputes between South Korea, China, and Japan.

These events compel Japan to set up its military force for action. On the other hand, South and North Korea make an agreement to fight against the opposition if war breaks out. Things get more intense as the plot progresses.

Pipeline (2021)

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Director:  Yoo Ha
Writer: Yoo Ha, Kim Kyoung-chan
Cast: Lee Soo-hyuk, Seo In-guk,
Eum Moon-suk
Genre: Crime, Action
IMDB Rating: 5.9/10
Runtime: 1h 48m

The movie was released last year and was well-liked by fans. It is a South Korean movie that follows the crime and action genre. You will see a grand heist happening under foolproof planning.

6 thieves with an aim to transform their lifestyle carry out a heist of oil smuggling. Their target is oil tunnels that are kept hidden in an underground area in Korea. They have to cover a long and deep distance to reach the tunnels.

The Beauty Inside (2015)

the-beauty-inside--in-USA

Director: Baik
Writer: Noh Kyung-hee, Kim Sun-jung
Cast: Yoo Yeon-seok, Han Hyo-joo
Genre: Drama, Romance
IMDB Rating: 7.3/10
Runtime: 2h 7m

The day Woo-jin turns 18 becomes the most strange day of her life. He wakes up and sees that his body and face are not his own. Woo-jin is confused about how that happened and how he can get his appearance back.

His mother, however, accepts what happened and helps him adjust to this new change. Since then, Woo-Jin has kept on waking up to be in a different body, age, nationality, and gender.

The Negotiation (2018)

the-negotiation-in-USA

Director:  Lee Jong-seok
Writer: Choi Sung-hyun
Cast: Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin
Genre: Thriller, Crime
IMDB Rating:
Runtime: 1h 54m

A couple gets kidnapped by Filipino men. They hold them hostage in Seoul at an estranged house. An inspector from Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency takes the case into his own hands.

The Inspector starts to negotiate with the kidnappers about their demand in exchange for freeing the couple from their trap. However, his senior is against this approach and sends a police hit team to encounter the kidnappers. One kidnapper gets injured.

Mission Possible (2021)

mission-possible-in-USA

Director: Kim Hyung-joo
Writer: Bruce Geller
Cast: Kim Young-kwang, Lee Sun-bin
Genre: Comedy, Action
IMDB Rating: 6.4/10
Runtime: 1h 45m

Important information is detected by the Chinese MSS about illegal firearms supply from China to some specific places in Korea. Chinese MSS sends an officer to investigate the matter and arrest the smugglers.

He plans to set up a meeting with a Korean special operative once he reaches Korea to ask for their help in the mission. But instead, he meets up with a former NIS and a detective. It ranks at the top among many best comedy Korean movies with amazing action sequences.

Seobok (2021)

seobok-in-USA

Director: Lee Yong-ju
Writer:  Lee Yong-ju
Cast: Park Bo Gum, Gong Yoo, Jo Woo-jin
Genre: Action, Sci-fi
IMDB Rating: 6.1/10
Runtime: 1h 54m

The concept of the movie has elements of science fiction. Seo Nok is the world’s first human clone launched by the intelligence agency. He was created using advanced technology of stem cell cloning and the application of genetic engineering.

The clone poses capabilities that are way beyond what a human can achieve. He develops a secret formula that can make anyone immortal. Because of this, several dangerous external forces are now after Seo Bok.

The 8th Night (2021)

the-8th-night-in-USA

Director: Kim Tae-hyoung
Writer: Kim Tae-hyoung
Cast: Park Hae-joon, Lee Sung-min
Park Hae-joon
Genre: Supernatural, Mystery
IMDB Rating: 
Runtime: 1h 55m

An evil entity crosses the realm of hell and enters the human world. He starts to create suffering in the lives of people he comes across. However, Budhha fights with the monster, snatches both of his eyes, and hides them in two different well-protected caskets.

So the monster switches between different human bodies to survive for 7 days. However, when the 8th day comes, Budhha catches him and instructs his followers to ensure those two eyes never meet.

Don’t miss watching it, as it is one of the best movies on Netflix.

Memoir of a Murderer (2017)

memoir-of-a-murderer-in-USA

Director: Won Shin-yun
Writer: Won Shin-yun, Hwang Jo-yun, Kim Young-ha
Cast: Kim Nam-gil, Sol Kyung-gu, Kim Seol-hyun
Genre: Crime, Thriller
IMDB Rating: 7.2/10
Runtime: 1h 58m

A guy kills his abusive father when he is a teenager. As a grown man, he believes that some people deserve to be killed due to their behavior. His thinking turned him into a serial killer.

He used to bury his victims inside a bamboo grove. But, after a severe accident, he develops Alzheimer’s. He then stopped murdering people, took a job, and started to live a normal life with his daughter.

Midnight Runners (2017)

midnight-runners-in-USA

Director: Jason Kim
Writer: Jason Kim
Cast: Kang Ha-neul, Park Seo-joon
Genre: Comedy, Action
IMDB Rating:
Runtime: 1h 49m

Two students of Korean National Police University: Hee-yeol and Ki-Joon, witness a girl getting kidnapped. The incident happened when they were coming back from partying at the club at midnight.

They file an FIR about the crime, but the missing person department of the local police station does not pay much attention to their complaint. They were busy finding a business mogul’s son who was abducted a few days ago.

The Thieves (2012)

the-thieves-in-USA

Director: Choi Dong-hoon
Writer: Lee Ki-cheol, Choi Dong-hoon
Cast: Lee Jung-jae, Kim Yoon-seok, Kim Hye-soo
Genre: Drama, Action
IMDB Rating: 6.8/10
Runtime: 2h 15m

Yenicall is a cat burglar who has become a recent interest of the owner of the popular Leesung Gallery. Taking advantage of their closeness, Yenicall steals a valuable artifact.

But, she didn’t do it alone; three more criminals were involved with her. However, an investigation about the theft starts, and all 4 become suspects of a detective who was handling the case. Now, they must fly out from Korea as soon as possible.

Conclusion

While the new movies are added over time, these 50 best Korean Movies Of All Time To Watch in US in 2023 listing will likely remain on most lists as it is the best content that Korea has to offer. They are amazing films with great plots that we are sure will still be beloved years from now.

Remember to use ExpressVPN if any of these movies are restricted in your country. If you are thinking about the laws of using a VPN, don’t worry, it is legal to use a VPN.

So grab some popcorn and binge-watch!

Chris Mack

Chris Mack

Meet Chris Mack, your go-to expert for the best of BBC iPlayer with a twist—he's also a cybersecurity enthusiast. Whether you're into British entertainment classics or searching for hidden gems, Chris has you covered, always with an eye for secure streaming practices. Beyond the screen, Chris blends his love for reading and exploring the outdoors with a passion for staying ahead in the world of cybersecurity, ensuring a safe viewing experience. If you're looking for top British TV picks or tips on keeping your digital viewing secure, Chris is your guide. Dive into the drama of British TV with Chris!


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