Korean movies are churning out stories that are unique, fresh, and enticing the viewers worldwide. The craze is evident with the increasing popularity of all the Korean content be it movies, dramas, or even K-pop concerts. Are you a fan too? Want to know about the 10 Best Korean Movies of 2023? Well, we have the list sorted out. Plan your next weekend’s binge-watching session accordingly!
Also Read: 15 Best Korean Movies That Every Movie Buff Must Watch!
1. Phantom
Phantom is a spy action thriller set in the year 1993- a Japanese colonial era where the Japanese govt authorities are determining ‘the Ghost’ among five suspects. Ghost is an anti-Japanese spy. All five suspects are locked inside a hotel room and interrogated- they all have to use their wits and logic to come out of this situation. It is quite an interesting watch!
2. Past Lives
This romance drama movie has received much love and appreciation from audiences and critics ever since its release in June 2023. The movie revolves around the lives of Nora and Hae Sung- two childhood best friends who had to bid adieu when one of them relocated to another country. However, years later they are reunited once again- together they discuss and confront love, life, destiny, and the choices that make their life what it is. The movie has got an 8 rating on IMDb- sounds like a good movie!
A biographical sports film that will transport you back to the year 1947 when South Korean athletes participated in the Boston International Marathon- a marathon held for the first time in the post-World War II era. The movie will give you a good glimpse of the life events and struggles of the South Korean athletes of that time when Koreans were freshly trying to build up after 35 years of oppression from Japanese rule.
4. Jung_E
It is a sci-fi action movie about a woman from the 22nd century who is a heroic soldier- when her daughter uses her brain to clone her and use the AI robot to win the war in a post-apocalyptic world- a lot is put at risk. The civil war in the future, the advanced use of AI, the hyper-realistic robots, and actions that are all set in a faraway future- that sums up a great action thriller movie called Jun_E. Especially, if you are a fan of sci-fi- don’t miss this one.
It’s an intense crime drama about a Korean diplomat who is taken to Afghanistan and a few South Korean tourists are taken as hostages and as bait. When nothing works out, one of the tourists is killed- that’s when the diplomat is neck-deep in the waters and teams up with a special agent from Korea to rescue all the tourists. The movie stars Hyun Bin (Crash Landing on You fame), and Hwang Jung Min (Ode to My Father fame) in lead roles.
6. Dream
It is a motivational sports drama about a group of amateur footballers who have unique traits and eccentric habits and are not ready to get along with each other. However, the determination sets in and they bind together as a team when they all wish for one goal- winning the Homeless World Cup. Their journey and struggles along with their coach Yoon Hong Dae recorded by a director and converted into a documentary by the end of the movie. Want to watch something motivating? Watch this one! The movie stars big names like Park Seo Joon and IU in prominent roles.
7. Unlocked
It is a gritty mystery thriller that might give you a reason to gape and bite your nails at times! The movie tells the story of a woman who loses her phone somewhere while out and can’t get it back. However, a stranger gets hold of it and uses her phone to track her every move- be it her actions, work, or online activities. The movie will surely induce some level of fear of technology and also raise questions about our safety and privacy in today’s times.
It is a crime drama film about political crimes and the underworld that operates secretly, away from the eyes of the people. The movie depicts the horrors and the dark side of the South Korean political system and the dark side of the election in great detail. The movie will shock you at times and is unafraid to tell you what you must not know until now. It’s called ‘The Devil’s Deal’ for a reason that one can only know after watching the movie! It was completed in 2021 but only released recently in March 2023.
9. Soulmate
Soulmate is a teen drama that is an adaptation of a Chinese movie. It is a coming-of-age story about two childhood friends who meet each other at the age of 11 and from there starts their unbreakable bond of friendship, love, life, and a hope of finding soulmates. The movie will warm you and make you feel giddy from the inside. It has even got a 7.5 IMDb rating. So, if you are looking for a nice and soothing movie- watch this one.
10. Kill Boksoon
Kill Boksoon is an action thriller about a single mother, Gil Bok-Soon who is also a contract killer. This renowned and ruthless murderer finds it difficult to strike a balance between her dark professional life and a normal-looking personal life. A movie about a murderer’s everyday life- a movie that we would like to watch with a little bit of fear! It stars Jeon Do Yeon (Crash Course in Romance fame) in the lead role.
Happy with our compilation of 10 Best Korean Movies of 2023? If not, tell us the names of those amazing Korean movies that we missed out on.