A Year of Hits: The Best Korean Movies of 2019

2019 was a monumental year for Korean cinema, with films that captivated global audiences, won prestigious awards, and redefined storytelling. From gripping thrillers to heartwarming dramas, these are the must-watch Korean movies of the year.

1. Parasite (기생충)

• Director: Bong Joon-ho
• Cast: Song Kang-ho, Lee Sun-kyun, Cho Yeo-jeong
• Genre: Thriller, Drama, Dark Comedy
• Language: Korean
• IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
• Plot: A struggling family infiltrates the household of a wealthy couple by posing as highly qualified workers. As their deception deepens, unexpected twists lead to a shocking climax.

2. Extreme Job (극한직업)

• Director: Lee Byeong-heon
• Cast: Ryu Seung-ryong, Lee Hanee, Jin Sun-kyu
• Genre: Comedy, Action
• Language: Korean
• IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
• Plot: A team of undercover cops opens a fried chicken restaurant as a cover for their investigation. However, when their chicken becomes a massive hit, they face a hilarious dilemma between crime-fighting and running a successful business.

3. Exit (엑시트)

• Director: Lee Sang-geun
• Cast: Jo Jung-suk, Im Yoon-ah
• Genre: Action, Disaster, Comedy
• Language: Korean
• IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
• Plot: A rock climber and his former crush must use their survival skills to escape a city engulfed in a toxic gas attack. A mix of suspense and humor makes this disaster film a thrilling watch.

4. The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil (악인전)

• Director: Lee Won-tae
• Cast: Ma Dong-seok, Kim Mu-yeol, Kim Sung-kyu
• Genre: Crime, Thriller, Action
• Language: Korean
• IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
• Plot: A ruthless gangster survives an attack from a serial killer. Realizing they share a common enemy, he teams up with a determined cop to track down the murderer before he strikes again.

5. Tune in for Love (유열의 음악앨범)

• Director: Jung Ji-woo
• Cast: Kim Go-eun, Jung Hae-in
• Genre: Romance, Drama
• Language: Korean
• IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
• Plot: A heartfelt love story unfolds between two people who keep crossing paths over the years, with fate and missed opportunities keeping them apart.

6. The Divine Fury (사자)

• Director: Kim Joo-hwan
• Cast: Park Seo-joon, Ahn Sung-ki, Woo Do-hwan
• Genre: Horror, Action, Supernatural
• Language: Korean
• IMDb Rating: 6.2/10
• Plot: A martial artist gains mysterious wounds on his hands and partners with an exorcist to battle dark forces threatening the world.

7. Innocent Witness (증인)

• Director: Lee Han
• Cast: Jung Woo-sung, Kim Hyang-gi
• Genre: Drama, Legal, Mystery
• Language: Korean
• IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
• Plot: A lawyer must convince an autistic girl, the only witness to a murder, to testify. As he earns her trust, he begins to question his own pursuit of justice.

8. Kim Ji-young: Born 1982 (82년생 김지영)

• Director: Kim Do-young
• Cast: Jung Yu-mi, Gong Yoo
• Genre: Drama, Feminist
• Language: Korean
• IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
• Plot: Based on a bestselling novel, this powerful drama explores the struggles of a woman navigating societal expectations, motherhood, and her own identity.

9. Another Child (미성년)

• Director: Kim Yoon-seok
• Cast: Yum Jung-ah, Kim So-jin, Kim Hye-jun
• Genre: Drama, Family
• Language: Korean
• IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
• Plot: Two teenage girls discover that their parents are having an affair, forcing them to deal with complicated emotions and fractured family ties.

10. Money (돈)

• Director: Park Noo-ri
• Cast: Ryu Jun-yeol, Yoo Ji-tae, Jo Woo-jin
• Genre: Crime, Thriller, Finance
• Language: Korean
• IMDb Rating: 6.0/10
• Plot: A young stockbroker is drawn into a dangerous world of insider trading, where wealth and power come at a high price.

Final Thoughts

2019 showcased the brilliance of Korean cinema, with films like Parasite achieving global recognition and Extreme Job breaking box office records. Whether you enjoy action-packed thrillers, emotional dramas, or laugh-out-loud comedies, there’s something for everyone.

Which 2019 Korean movie is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

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