It was awesome to see Parasite take home the Best Picture award at the Oscars this past Sunday. Director Bong Joon-ho, his crew, and his actors all lent their talents into crafting a superb film; I hope its multiple Oscar wins encourage those who have yet to see it to check it out.
But what’s this? You’re someone who saw Parasite, loved it, and now you have an itch for more Korean cinema? Well guess what? I got you covered.
For those of you looking to dive deeper into what Korean cinema has to offer, I’ve gone ahead and compiled a guide to some of the country’s most iconic films in the thriller and horror genre. From compelling political and societal themes, to bloodthirsty revenge, each of these films embodies a unique identity. Not only do they each convey a visceral demonstration of brutality, but they also display remarkable storytelling.
The Host – 2006
What better way to start this guide then with another film by Bong Joon-ho? It’s worth mentioning that the protagonist of The Host is played by none other than Song Kang-ho (the Kim family patriarch from Parasite).
Though Joon-ho has made an intriguing array of dramatic and suspenseful works, The Host is probably the film of his that leans mostly into horror elements – given the rather large monster that is terrorizing folks. During the monster’s rampage, it ends up kidnapping our protagonist’s daughter; mustering up all his courage, the father must set forth to confront the aquatic monstrosity.
The Host also serves as a political film – part of the story was inspired by an act of pollution ordered by U.S. officials in Korea. With its portrayal of American military and Korean government, The Host offers various perspectives on how countries would handle such an intense crisis. But rather than come across as dry melodrama, the film explores its commentary through satirical humor, providing an intriguing mix of laughs among all the chaos.
If you have seen Parasite, then you’ll notice quite a few qualities that this film shares with it. Joon-ho’s incredible ability to balance serious drama and comedy is felt throughout The Host; those serious moments providing pulse-pounding adrenaline. This film is an excellent gem for those in need of a monster flick (and those also looking for a film with more depth).
Train to Busan – 2016
Do you ever fear that you’ll be trapped on a train when some kind of horrible incident takes place? Well that’s what Train To Busan is about – and that horrible incident happens to involve a lot of zombies.
Seok-woo and his daughter board a train one day for what should be a simple trip; except just as the train is about to leave, an infected person is able to get on without being detected. One bite leads to another, and all of a sudden, a majority of the train’s occupants are infected. Train To Busan makes for a unique take on the zombie genre; given that the film spends a good deal of time on a train, there is limited mobility provided to those striving to survive. Also toss in the difficulty of trying to keep your loved ones safe (who happen to be a few train cars away from you), and you got yourself an unnerving situation. The congested locale brings an elevated tension to the action, the passengers having little room between them and the chomping jaws of zombies.
For those seeking an exciting take on zombie chaos, look no further than Train To Busan.
I Saw the Devil – 2010
After serial killer Jang Kyung-chul kills the fiancée of Kim Soo-hyun, Soo-hyun takes it upon himself to hunt Kyung-chul and extract his revenge. It goes without saying that the aforementioned description clearly sets up I Saw The Devil as a revenge tale – but it isn’t your typical revenge story.
Rather than the film leading up to a single instance of Soo-hyun getting his revenge on Kyung-chul, the former decides to follow the latter, committing acts of brutal violence against him. From vicious beatings to gross mutilations, Soo-hyun whittles away at Kyung-chul. In-between those moments, however, Kyung-chul is left to his own devices, lashing out at innocent individuals in horrific ways.
I Saw The Devil is not a film for those who easily get queasy. Its portrayal of gut churning violence is relentless, establishing an ominous atmosphere. At the core of the film is that of pure violence – our two main characters are driven by violence, one regarding revenge, and one in the pursuit of pleasure. But that said, if you are interested in checking out a compelling revenge tale brimming with adrenaline and suspense, I Saw The Devil will deliver.
A Tale of Two Sisters – 2003
So far I’ve shared films revolving around monsters, zombies, and serial killers, so now is about time for something more ethereal and psychological. The film starts with our young protagonist, Su-mi, being treated in a mental asylum (her issues revolving around psychosis). When she is finally released, she returns home to her younger sister, father, and stepmother. Overtime, Su-mi experiences supernatural happenings, at one point seeing her dead mother crawling at her. When Su-mi begins to suspect that the stepmother is harming her little sister, tensions begin to escalate.
Saying any more would be entering some dangerous spoiler territory.
A Tale of Two Sisters is a fascinating work of supernatural and psychological horror. The haunting atmosphere and spiraling drama present a permeating chill throughout the film, creating an unsettling air of mystery and darkness. The film also stands as a powerful work of domestic horror; the tension among the family is palpable, unraveling overtime to reveal startling revelations. If you prefer your horror to lean towards the cerebral with a side helping of ghosts, then A Tale of Two Sisters should be enough to keep you awake at night.
The Vengeance Trilogy – Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002), Old Boy (2003), Lady Vengeance (2005)
There’s no way I could talk about iconic Korean movies without bringing up Park Chan-wook’s Vengeance Trilogy. These films are comprised of devastating emotion; the oppressive atmospheres and grueling violence come together to present narratives of extreme ruthlessness. I don’t want to give too much away regarding the story details of these films, for their twists and turns are enough to drop jaws.
Starting with Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, our protagonist Ryu kidnaps the daughter of a wealthy family in hopes to use the ransom money to help his ill sister. In Old Boy, our protagonist Oh Dae-su is trapped in a single room for 15 years, but is eventually released and begins seeking the person who entrapped him. And finally, Lady Vengeance follows Lee Geum-ja, a woman falsely imprisoned for a murder she did not commit; when she is finally released, she starts a journey of revenge against the person who actually committed the murder.
The Vengeance Trilogy is not for the light of heart. Not only do the three films contain startling violence, they also involve moments of tremendous heartache. The characters are very much in the vein of individuals found in Greek tragedies; a hero sets forth towards a goal, only to come across various horrors that lead to their downfall. But though these tales may be bleak, they are also some of the most phenomenal thrillers among contemporary cinema.
Bonus: Kingdom – 2019
Though it is not a movie, this Netflix show is a must-see. Taking place in the Joseon period, Kingdom follows a young prince who strives to unite his country against the threat of a zombie invasion. Though this was released after the major zombie boom in pop culture, Kingdom makes for a remarkable contribution to the sub-genre.
For one, the period it’s set in brings a whole new dynamic to zombie confrontation. The lack of technology, as well as required innovation with the tools at hand, allow for our main cast to square off against zombies in unique manners. And these zombies are the running kind, so our protagonist and friends have to be on their toes. With its excellent acting, stunning set pieces, and great bits of political drama, Kingdom brings a welcoming breath of fresh air to the zombie genre.
You can read more of my detailed thoughts on “Kingdom” via the review I wrote for season one (and also keep an eye out for my review of season two down the road).
Though these works represent some of the best Korean cinema has to offer, there are many more worth exploring. If your taste leans towards gritty dramas with unnerving bloodshed, then the oppressing devastation of Bedevilled will satisfy your needs. Or maybe you want something a little more fantastical? In that case, Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum and Thirst are excellent films; the former involves a group of friends who explore an abandoned mental institution (coming across more than what they expected), while the latter makes for an intriguing vampire story.
Like all cinema found around the globe, Korea has its own unique voice when it comes to captivating storytelling. When it comes to thrillers and horror, the country has a knack for delivering brutal depictions of violence, while also presenting worlds and characters haunted by external and internal forces.
I hope that among these titles at least one caught your interest and you’ll check it out. For those of you who have heard of these films, which is your favorite? And what are some other excellent horror/thrillers from Korea that others should know about? We’d love for the comments section of this article to be loaded with additional titles, so please do chime in!
