With the Winter Olympics taking place in South Korea, I decided to make a list of Korean films to watch when you’re, if you are like me, not invested in watching the Winter Olympics of 2018.

Films

Train to Busan (2016)

I was never part of the zombie craze, nor partook in binge watching Walking Dead, World War Z, iZombie, etc. However, there are two zombie films that I will watch willingly, and that is Shaun of the Dead and Train to Busan. Seeing as I will be primarily focusing on Korean films, Train to Busan will be my point of convergence. Yeon Sang-ho, the director, emulates a dramatic horror film set on a train from Seoul to Busan when a zombie virus pandemic strikes. The passengers entrapped with the zombies must fight for survival and reach Busan where the only established quarantine zone is located. Train to Busan surpasses the tropes zombies and horror movies tend to entail— (1) you have zombies that are fast and believably voracious; (2) leading and supporting focal characters of varying ages and handicaps; and (3) a constant fear for the lives of all lead characters.

So, if you are looking for an emotional, heart pounding, palm-sweating type of movie, Train to Busan is the movie for you.

Park Chan-wook: The Vengeance Trilogy

Park Chan-wook is by far one of my favorite directors, and it was Old Boy (2005) that introduced me to him. Old Boy is part of a trilogy dubbed by critics as The Vengeance Trilogy for the connective themes of vengeance and graphic violence. The trilogy consists of: Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002), Old Boy (2003), and Lady Vengeance (2005). All films can be seen as stand Park Chan-wook has a dark sadistic style in his films that tend to leave one unsettled by the end. His gritty and graphic style keeps you glued to the screen despite the sense of discomfort and mild repulsion that his scenes tend to evoke. If you are not for the faint of heart, then this is a Korean trilogy that I highly recommend.

Bonus: Park Chan-wook’s recent film, Handmaiden (2016), is another piece that I would also recommend. Handmaiden was nominated for the Cannes Palm d’Or, and was the first Korean film to be nominated in the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA). It won several awards and recognition in Asia, and won the Baeksang Arts Awards Grand Prize in Film. 

Tale of Two Sisters (2003) 

Kim Jee-woon’s Tale of Two Sisters (2003) is a chilling and disturbing horror story based on the Korean folklore, Janghwa Hongryeon jeon. The film follows Su-mi (Im-Soo Jung) who returns back home with her dear sister Su-yeon (Su-jeong Lim) and her family after her time in the mental hospital. The film’s graphic and supernatural elements emanates an unsettling atmosphere with this psychological horror. Tale of Two Sisters (2003) is visually haunting and a must watch to all horror fanatics.

While most of these cinematic gems that are listed above mainly fall in the horror genre, there were films that were recommended to me that won’t leave you scarred for life.

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter…and Spring (2003)

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter…and Spring follows the story of a Buddhist monk and his growth from childhood to adulthood through the seasons. The film is set in the captivating secluded location of a Buddhist monastery floating on a lake in a ethereal forest. Director Kim Ki-duk beautifully captures this spiritual coming-of-age film, and provides his viewers with insight on how we may or do live our lives.

Korean RomCom

My Sassy Girl (2001)

With all the serious films I have listed, here is a romantic comedy/drama that will ease your tensions. This romantic comedy is based on the true stories of an engineering student, Ho-Sik Kim, and his relationship with his girlfriend that was posted online, adapted to literature, and then this film. My Sassy Girl was one the highest-grossing Korean comedy films, and gained widespread recognition in Asia; it won the 2003 Hong Kong Film Awards as the Best Asian Film, and 2002 Grand Bell Award as the Best Adapted Screenplay.

Korean Dramas

This genre of Korean films have gained popularity internationality along with the craze surrounding Korean pop culture. Here are some of the highly praised dramas to watch in one sitting:

While You Were Sleeping

While You Were Sleeping (2017) is a romantic fantasy drama with popular leads, Lee Jong-Suk and Bae Suzy. The story centers around Hong-Joo (Bae Suzy) who has the ability to see the future in her dreams and her budding relationship with the rookie prosecutor, Jae-chan (Lee Jong-Suk). The drama, like a majority of dramas, is intermingled with comedy, romance, and action that won’t leave a bland moment to its viewers. Even more, the soundtrack to the drama complements the series success.

Descendants of the Sun

Descendants of the Sun is an action melodrama with leading actors Song Joong-ki (a Special Ops. Captain) and an army doctor, Song Hye-Kyo. This drama won the 52nd Baeksang Arts Awards Grand Prize in TV as the series gained popularity in South Korea; the lead actors on-screen and off-screen romance stole viewers hearts. Descendants of Sun was visually enchanting with the stunning set locations in spanning the island of Greece. The series reinvigorated the art and recognition of Korean dramas with its alluring romance and unique storytelling.

Goblin

Goblin has won critical acclaim across Asia with its ratings consistently being at the top during its airing. This romantic fantasy, starring Train to Busan lead Gong Yoo and rising actress Kim Go-eun, has captivated the hearts of its audience through their emotional performances and storytelling. The drama is also praised for its cinematography and set designs that made it almost feel as if each episode was designed for a bigger screen. Goblin has won the 53rd Baeksang Arts Awards Grand Prize in TV, an award ceremony seen as the Golden Globes of Korea, and won Gong Yoo the Baeksang Arts Award for Best Leading Actor in TV.

While the Winter Olympics goes on and will surely come to an end, cinematic gems and binge-worthy dramas from Korea continue to make waves in the entertainment industry.