“The intensity in this movie is so real."
Korean thrillers are a must-watch if you’re a fan of gripping, edge-of-your-seat storytelling.
Korean films are known for their high-quality production, complex storylines, and emotional acting, making them essential for any movie fan.
There’s a Korean movie for everyone, whether you’re looking for a psychological thriller, a crime drama, or an action-packed adventure.
Aisha Malik, an Indian film enthusiast, says: “Korean thrillers are a masterclass in storytelling – captivating, intense, and full of unexpected twists.
“They resonate deeply with South Asian audiences, offering a fresh perspective while still connecting on an emotional level.”
In 2023, Netflix reported that over 60% of its subscribers watched Korean titles.
Some of the most well-known Korean movies are Parasite (2019) and Train to Busan (2016).
DESIblitz presents 12 brilliant Korean thrillers that every Desi fan must watch.
Forgotten (2017)
Director: Jang Hang-jun
Stars: Kang Ha-neul, Kim Mu-yeol, Moon Sung-keun, Na Young-hee
Forgotten is a 2017 South Korean psychological thriller directed by Jang Hang-jun.
The film centres on Jin-seok (Kang Haneul), whose life unravels after his brother Yoo-seok (Kim Mu-yeol) is kidnapped and returns with no memory of the event.
As Jin-seok notices strange changes in his brother’s behaviour, he uncovers shocking truths that turn his world upside down.
The film explores themes of memory, identity, and the impact of trauma.
Forgotten is praised for its tight narrative, intense performances, and its ability to keep viewers guessing until the very end.
It’s perfect for anyone who enjoys thrillers that challenge perceptions and deliver a powerful emotional punch.
Janvi, from India, said: “Very satisfying to my brain.
“Every scene— even small details are a must-watch or else you’ll get lost.”
Following (2024)
Director: Kim Se-hwi
Stars: Byun Yo-han, Shin Hye-sun, Lee El
Following is a gripping mystery thriller directed by Kim Se-hwi.
The film delivers a captivating story packed with suspense and surprises, making it a standout among crime thrillers.
The movie follows Koo Jung-tae (Byun Yo-han), a real estate agent with a troubling hobby of spying on people.
His curiosity leads him to social media influencer Han So-ra (Shin Hae-sun), who presents a curated online persona.
When Han So-ra entrusts Koo Jung-Tae with a key to her home, he sneaks in and uncovers something shocking.
As the real estate agent’s fixation deepens, the boundaries between reality and illusion blur.
Following explores the complex themes of obsession and identity while highlighting the sinister aspects of social media.
It offers a chilling look at how far one can go when consumed by obsession and deception.
The Call (2020)
Director: Lee Chung-hyun
Stars: Park Shin-hye, Jeon Jong-seo, Kim Sung-ryung, Lee El
The Call is a sci-fi psychological thriller directed by Lee Chung-hyun.
The film revolves around a tense and chilling concept of communication across time.
The story focuses on Seo-yeon (Park Shin-hye), who finds an old phone connecting her to Young-sook (Jeon Jong-seo) from the past.
As the two women start communicating, they become entangled in a life-threatening situation.
The past actions of Young-sook begin to affect Seo-yeon’s present. This leads to a suspenseful and unpredictable story.
This film explores themes of fate, the consequences of one’s actions, and the eerie possibilities of time manipulation. It delivers clever twists and strong performances.
Nandana, from Assam, stated: “I felt like my head was about to explode.
“The ending was unnecessary but overall it was a very good film.”
Unlocked (2023)
Director: Kim Tae-joon
Stars: Chun Woo-hee, Yim Si-wan, Kim Hee-won
Unlocked is a cybercrime thriller directed by Kim Tae-joon.
The movie is based on the novel Sumaho o Otoshita Dake by Akira Shiga.
The film revolves around the unsettling story of a Nari (Chun Woo-hee).
She is a young woman whose life is turned upside down after her smartphone is hacked.
As her personal and private information becomes exposed, Nari finds herself trapped in a web of deceit and danger.
The hacker uses her data to manipulate and control her.
Unlocked explores themes of privacy invasion and the dark side of technology, providing a chilling look at how vulnerable we can be in the digital age.
With its intense storyline and strong performances, the film keeps audiences on edge and offers a thought-provoking examination of modern threats.
The Handmaiden (2016)
Director: Park Chan-wook
Stars: Kim Min-hee, Kim Tae-ri, Ha Jung-woo, Cho Jin-woong
Among critically acclaimed Korean thrillers, The Handmaiden, directed by Park Chan-wook is a beacon of entertainment.
The film is an adaptation of the novel Fingersmith by Sarah Waters, with a setting and plot adapted to Japanese-occupied Korea.
Set in the 1930s, The Handmaiden tells the story of Sook-hee (Kim Tae-ri).
Sook-hee is a young Korean woman hired as a handmaid for a wealthy Japanese heiress, Lady Hideko (Kim Min-hee).
Sook-hee is involved in a scheme by Count Fujiwara (Ha Jung-woo) to steal Hideko’s fortune.
As the plan unfolds, relationships get complicated, and hidden motives come to light.
The Handmaiden is known for its intricate plot, striking cinematography, and exploration of themes such as deception, desire, and power dynamics.
Pushkar on X says: “Unpredictable twist. The story draws you in despite the three-hour length, never feeling boredom.”
The Negotiation (2018)
Director: Lee Jong-seok
Stars: Son Ye-jin, Hyun Bin
The Negotiation is a crime thriller directed by Lee Jong-suk. It is one of the best Korean thrillers.
The film is about a high-stakes hostage situation involving a skilled negotiator and a ruthless criminal.
The story also follows Ha Chae-Yoon (Son Ye-jin), a top police negotiator.
She is called in when notorious criminal Jang Sung-chul (Hyun Bin) captures hostages and demands a ransom.
Ha Chae-yoon must negotiate carefully with the criminal. Her goal is to outsmart him and save the hostages.
The Negotiation is known for its intense suspense and sharp dialogue.
The film explores themes of strategy, desperation, and the psychological games played in high-pressure situations.
With strong performances and an intoxicating storyline, The Negotiation transfixes the audience into a different world.
Fans were thrilled when Hyun Bin and Son Ye-Jin, who starred together again in the drama Crash Landing on You, got married in 2022.
Darshan wrote a comment on an online portal: “The vibe between the two on set was honestly amazing.
“How both of them played their characters was pretty cool.
“Their onscreen chemistry even transcends computer monitors.”
Kill Boksoon (2023)
Director: Byun Sung-hyun
Stars: Jeon Do-yeon, Sol Kyung-gu, Kim Si-a, Esom, Koo Kyo-hwan
Kill Boksoon is an action thriller directed by Byun Sung-hyun.
The film stars Jeon Do-yeon as Boksoon – a highly skilled assassin who leads a double life.
In the movie, Boksoon is a professional killer known for her expertise in the underworld.
She strives to balance her dangerous career with her responsibilities as a single mother.
Her life takes a dramatic turn when she becomes entangled in a conflict involving her criminal organisation and must navigate a web of betrayal and danger.
Kill Boksoon stands out for its intense action sequences and strong performances.
The film also explores themes of family, identity, and the struggle between personal and professional lives.
Jeon Do-yeon’s performance as Boksoon is both powerful and nuanced, adding depth to the film’s thrilling narrative.
I Saw the Devil (2010)
Director: Kim-Jee woon
Stars: Lee Byung-hun, Choi Min-sik
I Saw The Devil is a South Korean psychological thriller directed by Kim Jee-woon.
The film is known for its thrilling, suspense-filled, and disturbing narrative, exploring themes of revenge and justice.
The story features Kim Soo-hyun (Lee Byung-hun).
He is a secret agent whose fiancée is brutally murdered by a sadistic serial killer, Jang Kyung-chul (Choi Min-sik).
Driven by grief and rage, Kim Soo-hyun embarks on a relentless quest for vengeance.
He captures the killer and begins an untamed game of cat and mouse, unleashing a cycle of violence and retribution.
I Saw the Devil is praised for its gripping storyline, striking performances, and its exploration of the dark side of human nature.
The film combines suspense with graphic violence, making it a powerful and unforgettable entry in the thriller genre.
Ek Villain, a romantic Bollywood thriller directed by Mohit Suri, is a remake of this film.
Pooja, a hardcore K-drama fan from India, said: “This is dark, but one of the best serial killer movies.
“If you can’t stand violence, blood, stay away. Prepare yourself before you play this.”
Time to Hunt (2020)
Director: Yoon Sung-hyun
Stars: Lee Je-hoon, Ahn Jae-hong, Choi Woo-shik, Park Jung-min, Park Hae-soo
When it comes to Korean thrillers in the action genre, Time to Hunt deserves a top spot.
It is directed by Yoon Sung-hyun and is known for its tense and gripping narrative set in a dystopian future.
Time to Hunt showcases a group of friends struggling to survive in a near-future Korea plagued by economic collapse.
After Jun Seok (Lee Je-hoon) is released from prison, he finds out that the loot from their final heist is now worthless due to a currency crash.
He proposes a final heist to his friends, Jang Ho (Ahn Jae-hong) and Ki Hoon (Choi Woo-shik) to escape their bleak future.
However, their plan goes awry and they find themselves being hunted by a relentless and skilled hitman.
Time to Hunt stands out for its suspenseful storytelling, stylish direction, and intense action sequences.
The film delves into themes of survival, desperation, and the consequences of crime.
In an online review, Nita wrote: “This was the first action movie that I mistook for horror halfway through.
“I’ve never watched a movie that has literally made me shake with fear and anxiety.
“THIS is the epitome of a thriller.”
Don’t Buy the Seller (2023)
Director: Park Hee-gon
Stars: Shin Hye-sun, Kim Sung-kyun
Don’t Buy the Seller or Target is a mystery thriller directed by Park Hee-gon.
The film delves into the dark side of online transactions.
Soo-hyeon (Shin Hye-sun) buys a faulty washing machine and criticises the seller online.
Unbeknownst to her, the seller is a psychopathic killer using the app to find victims.
Her complaint disrupts his plans, making her the next target.
She begins to experience disturbing incidents—obscene phone calls, unwanted deliveries, and unwelcome visitors.
The film is noted for its suspenseful and chilling portrayal of online dangers.
Don’t Buy the Seller is praised for its intense suspense, dark themes, and unsettling exploration of how seemingly innocuous actions can have deadly consequences.
Tamana, a student in Birmingham, notes: “A rare take on extreme cyberstalking – worth watching.”
Midnight (2021)
Director: Kwon Oh-seung
Stars: Jin Ki-joo, Wi Ha-joon, Kim Hye-yoon, Park Hoon, Gil Hae-yeon
Midnight is a psychological thriller directed by Kwon Oh-seung.
Kyung-mi (Jin Ki-joo) is a deaf call centre worker who witnesses the stabbing of So-jung (Kim Hye-yoon).
This makes Kyung-mi the next target of the serial killer Do-sik (Wi Ha-joon).
Her vulnerability makes her an easy target for the murderer, who becomes increasingly determined to hunt her down.
As the chase intensifies, Kyung-mi’s fight for survival becomes a riveting experience.
Midnight is praised for its taut suspense and innovative use of sound.
Wi Ha-joon’s compelling performance also adds depth and tension to the film’s chilling premise.
Sakshi says: “The intensity in this movie is so real that I forgot to breathe.”
Ballerina (2023)
Director: Lee Chung-hyun
Stars: Jeon Jong-seo, Kim Ji-hoon, Park Yu-rim
Ballerina is an action thriller that is directed by Lee Chung-hyun.
The film explores the serious issues of sex slavery and forced pornography. The plot presents Jang Ok-ju (Jeon Jong-seo), a former bodyguard.
Her life takes a dark turn when her best friend, Min-hee (Park Yu-rim), a talented ballet dancer, meets a tragic end.
Devastated by the loss and consumed by guilt, Ok-ju embarks on a relentless quest for revenge.
Determined to avenge Min-hee’s death, she uses her formidable skills to track down those responsible.
The movie shines with its intense action sequences and emotional depth.
The lead actress’s performance is noteworthy as it encapsulates Ok-ju’s journey from grief to vengeance with precision.
Ballerina masterfully blends elegance with brutality.
It’s a must-watch for fans of suspenseful and emotionally charged cinema.
Srishti wrote in a review: “Absolutely stunning movie.
“The visuals and soundtrack are beautiful, and I can’t get over every single fight scene.
“They did not feel overly unrealistic, and the choreography is amazing.”
Korean thrillers provide an exciting journey for Desi fans, combining spellbinding plots with deep, emotional storytelling.
Each film offers something unique – ranging from psychological suspense, and intense crime dramas to heart-pounding action.
These movies not only entertain but also introduce viewers to the rich and diverse world of Korean cinema.
They showcase the creativity and skill of Korean filmmakers and actors, leaving you eager to explore more.
For fans of thrillers, these films are unmissable and will undoubtedly keep you hooked from beginning to end.
There are many more films to explore such as Oldboy (2003), Memories of a Murderer (2017), The Witness (2018), and The Chase (2017).
So, gather your popcorn and prepare to embrace Korean thrillers in all their glory.
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