The Best Korean Movies of 2023 (So Far) to Add to Your Watch List
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
K-content fans have had quite the ride these past few years, especially when it comes to TV and film. From the award-winning Parasite to one of Netflix's most successful shows, Squid Game (does every game from that show still haunt anyone else?), there's no shortage of entertainment when it comes to Korean cinema. It's no secret that Korean filmmakers have been creating some of the most thought-provoking and original scripts to hit the screen, but sometimes it's hard to keep up with all the new releases.
Luckily, I'm here to make your movie nights easier (thank me later) by rounding up some of the best Korean movie releases of 2023. The greatest part? The year isn't even over yet! So, that only means more thrillers, romances, horrors, epic fights, and the occasional zombie apocalypse to come. To start things off, I've included some of the latest Korean flicks to hit Netflix, which is having one heck of a streak when it comes to international movies. Even entertainment powerhouse A24 (aka the same company behind Midsommar, Everything Everywhere All at Once, and HBO's Euphoria)is dipping its toes into Korean content with their newly released romance, Past Lives.
Anyway, let me cut it short before I get on my soapbox about every single one of these movies. After all, that's kinda what the list is for. So, without further ado, let's jump into this year's best new Korean movies that deserve to be on your radar. And, SPOILER ALERT: they're well worth turning on those subtitles.
Unlocked
On Netflix now
A woman's life is turned upside down when a dangerous man gets a hold of her lost cell phone and uses it to track her every move.
See the original post on Youtube
JUNG_E
On Netflix now
Set in the 22nd century, Earth is now uninhabitable and society is facing a civil war. A researcher at an AI lab leads the effort to end the war by cloning the brain of a heroic soldier: her mother.
See the original post on Youtube
Kill Boksoon
On Netflix now
At home, she's a single mom to a teenage daughter, but at work, she's a renowned assassin. Killing is easy. It's balancing her job and the parenting thing that's the hard part.
See the original post on Youtube
The Point Men
On Viki now
A Korean diplomat is sent to Afghanistan when a group of South Korean tourists is taken hostage by a terrorist group. When all measures fail and a hostage is killed, he is forced to team up with a special agent to rescue the survivors.
See the original post on Youtube
The Devil's Deal
On Viki now
Hae Woong is a powerful assembly member candidate, but is taken out of the running when he becomes a nuisance to a local bigwig. Hounded by loan sharks, he decides to get down and dirty by stealing classified government info and obtains the help of a local gang leader. Now, Hae Woong is ready to re-enter the political race and take revenge on the man who kicked him out in the first place.
See the original post on Youtube
Past Lives
In theaters now
Nora and Hae Sung are two deeply connected childhood friends. After Nora is forced to move away from South Korea with her family, she's reunited with Hae Sung decades later for one fateful week as they confront destiny and love.
See the original post on Youtube
The Roundup: No Way Out
In theatres now
In the anticipated sequel to The Roundup, Ma Seok-do joins a new squad to investigate a murder case. He soon starts to dig deeper when he finds out that the case involves a synthetic drug and a gang of thugs.
See the original post on Youtube
Dream
Streaming premiere TBD
We love when comedy and drama meet in the middle. When soccer player Yoon Hong-Dae receives disciplinary probation for an unexpected incident, he is then appointed a coach for a special national soccer team consisting of homeless people and some who have never even played soccer before. Now, it's up to him to help his team win the Homeless World Cup.
See the original post on Youtube
Phantom
Streaming premiere TBD
Based on the 2007 Mai Jia novel, Feng Shung, this spy action film will keep you guessing until the very end. During the Japanese colonization of Korea, five suspects are under suspicion of being a spy for the anti-Japanese resistance. Trapped inside an isolated hotel to be interrogated, they must use their wits to escape while also suspecting and doubting one another.
See the original post on Youtube
Rebound
Streaming premiere TBD
Based on a true story, this film follows the incredible story of the 2012 National High School Basketball Championship, in which a new coach and players from the weakest basketball team ran nonstop for eight days.
See the original post on Youtube
Soulmate
Streaming premiere TBD
Ever consider that your true soulmate is actually your best friend? In this coming-of-age story, two friends first meet at 13 years old and spend the course of the next 14 years as besties, including sharing experiences in both friendship and romance.
See the original post on Youtube
Ballerina
Netflix premiere TBD
Ok-Ju previously worked as a bodyguard and excels at physical activities like martial arts, sword fighting, and gunmanship. Her friend, who is a ballerina, asks for a favor to take revenge on someone, but is Ok-Ju willing to risk her life for her friend?
Believer 2
Netflix premiere TBD
The sequel to Believer, this thriller follows a determined detective as he continues his search for the truth behind Asia's largest drug organization and its elusive boss.
The Match
Netflix premiere TBD
Based on a true story, this biopic follows the careers of master Go player Cho Hun-Hyun and his protégé (and eventual rival) Lee Chang-ho. After years of mentorship, their rivalry comes to a head when they compete against each other in the match of a lifetime.
You Might Also Like
