Selecting 21 must-see films in the vast world of Korean cinema is like a trip through time, and every time you watch a movie, it is a touch of the heart. Here are 21 Korean movies that I recommend for you, all of which are different in style and emotional, and are a great way to learn about Korean culture and cinema.
1."My Sassy Girlfriend": A romantic comedy full of laughter and emotion, telling the story of how two men and women with very different personalities love each other.
2."The Melting Pot": Based on real events, it profoundly reveals the indifference and cruelty of Korean society towards the disadvantaged, which is thought-provoking.
3."Su Yuan": Also adapted from a real case, the film shows the brilliance and hope of humanity through the misadventures of a little girl.
4."Parasite": A darkly humorous social satire that reveals the class solidification and wealth gap in Korean society through the interweaving of two families.
5."Train to Busan": An intense and exciting disaster film set on a train bound for Busan, showing the good and evil of human nature.
6."Sunshine Sisters": A warm and touching youth film that tells the friendship and growth of five girls, reminiscent of those good youth times.
7."Kim Ji-young Born in 82": Against the backdrop of widespread sexism and family pressure in Korean society, it tells the struggle and awakening of an ordinary woman.
8."The Gift of Room Seven": A tear-jerking family film that tells the touching story between a father who has been wrongfully convicted of a murderer and his daughter.
9."The Yellow Sea": A tense action movie about a man who gets involved in a gangster fight in order to save his wife.
10."Walking with God": An imaginative fantasy film, set in the encounter between the messenger of the underworld and the soul of the dead, ** life, death and human nature.
11."The Defender": Based on real events, it tells the story of a lawyer who defends a student accused of rebellion, showing the power of justice.
12."New World": A gangster-themed crime film that reveals the complexity and cruelty of human nature through a power struggle within a gang.
13."Elegant World": A drama film that deeply reflects the reality of society, telling the struggle and choice of a family in the face of difficult situations.
14."The Empty Room": A romance film full of mystery and suspense, telling the story of a man who searches for love and self in an empty room.
15."Monster of the Han River": An exciting monster film set on the Han River and tells the story of a family's struggle with monsters.
16."The Day the Pig Fell into the Well": A comedy full of black humor, through the bizarre events of a small village, ** the absurdity and impermanence of human nature.
17."Memories of Murder": A suspense film based on true events, set in an unsolved serial murder case, showing the shadowy side of Korean society.
18."The Story of Marriage": A heartwarming and humorous romantic comedy that tells the story of how two men and women from different family backgrounds come together despite all odds.
19."Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring": A literary film full of philosophical meaning, with a temple as the background, ** philosophical propositions such as life and death, good and evil, and reincarnation.
20."The Thief Who Stole Grandma": A comedy full of warmth and emotion, about the peculiar friendship between a thief and a lonely old man.
21."Taxi Driver": An action movie full of justice, with a taxi driver as the main character, showing the story of how he fights the gang and protects the weak.
These 21 films cover a variety of genres such as romance, crime, suspense, action, comedy, etc., and each one represents an exploration and breakthrough in different themes and styles of Korean cinema. Whether you're a movie lover or a first-time viewer of Korean cinema, you'll find something touching and resonant with you in these films. Hopefully, this recommendation will give you a better understanding and appreciation of the charm of Korean movies.