A Year to Remember: The Best Korean Movies of 2015

2015 was a standout year for Korean cinema, offering gripping thrillers, heartwarming dramas, intense action, and hilarious comedies. Korean filmmakers continued to push storytelling boundaries, creating memorable characters and unforgettable moments. Here are the best Korean movies of 2015 that defined the year.

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1. The Throne (사도)

• Director: Lee Joon-ik

• Cast: Song Kang-ho, Yoo Ah-in, Moon Geun-young

• Genre: Historical Drama

• IMDb Rating: 7.2/10

• Plot: This tragic historical drama tells the real-life story of Crown Prince Sado, who was locked in a rice chest for eight days by his father, King Yeongjo. As the story unfolds, we see a heartbreaking battle between a father’s expectations and a son’s struggles.

• Why Watch?

  • Powerful performances by Song Kang-ho and Yoo Ah-in.
  • Beautiful cinematography and emotional depth.
  • A gripping retelling of one of Korea’s most tragic royal stories.

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2. Assassination (암살)

• Director: Choi Dong-hoon

• Cast: Jun Ji-hyun, Lee Jung-jae, Ha Jung-woo

• Genre: Action, Historical Thriller

• IMDb Rating: 7.3/10

• Plot: Set in the 1930s during Japan’s occupation of Korea, a group of assassins is tasked with eliminating a high-ranking Japanese official. But when a double agent interferes, betrayal and action unfold in this high-stakes historical thriller.

• Why Watch?

  • Explosive action sequences and espionage intrigue.
  • Jun Ji-hyun’s badass performance as a sharpshooter.
  • A perfect blend of history, action, and suspense.

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3. Veteran (베테랑)

• Director: Ryoo Seung-wan

• Cast: Hwang Jung-min, Yoo Ah-in

• Genre: Action, Crime, Comedy

• IMDb Rating: 7.0/10

• Plot: A tough detective goes up against an arrogant chaebol heir who believes he’s above the law. What starts as a simple case turns into a battle between justice and privilege, leading to an action-packed cat-and-mouse chase.

• Why Watch?

  • A mix of crime, humor, and thrilling action.
  • Hwang Jung-min’s charismatic performance.
  • A social critique on power and corruption in Korea.

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4. The Priests (검은 사제들)

• Director: Jang Jae-hyun

• Cast: Kim Yun-seok, Kang Dong-won

• Genre: Horror, Mystery, Supernatural

• IMDb Rating: 6.4/10

• Plot: When a young girl shows signs of demonic possession, two priests attempt to perform an exorcism. As they dig deeper, they uncover a dark force more powerful than they imagined.

• Why Watch?

  • A unique take on exorcism in Korean culture.
  • Intense performances and eerie atmosphere.
  • A mix of horror, religion, and mystery.

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5. The Beauty Inside (뷰티 인사이드)

• Director: Baek Jong-yeol

• Cast: Han Hyo-joo, multiple actors as the main lead

• Genre: Fantasy, Romance

• IMDb Rating: 7.3/10

• Plot: A man wakes up in a different body every day, making it impossible for him to live a normal life. But when he falls in love, he must find a way to make the relationship work despite his ever-changing appearance.

• Why Watch?

  • A fresh and emotional take on love and identity.
  • Stunning cinematography and a heartfelt storyline.
  • Han Hyo-joo’s touching performance.

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6. Inside Men (내부자들)

• Director: Woo Min-ho

• Cast: Lee Byung-hun, Cho Seung-woo, Baek Yoon-sik

• Genre: Crime, Thriller

• IMDb Rating: 7.0/10

• Plot: A political fixer, a corrupt journalist, and a prosecutor become entangled in a high-stakes game of betrayal and revenge. With a focus on political corruption, this film exposes the dark side of power in Korea.

• Why Watch?

  • Intense performances and a gripping political thriller.
  • A realistic look at corruption in media and politics.
  • Lee Byung-hun’s unforgettable performance.

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7. Coin Locker Girl (차이나타운)

• Director: Han Jun-hee

• Cast: Kim Go-eun, Kim Hye-soo

• Genre: Crime, Thriller, Drama

• IMDb Rating: 6.8/10

• Plot: An orphan raised by a ruthless crime boss becomes her enforcer, but when she develops a conscience, she finds herself in a fight for survival.

• Why Watch?

  • A gripping and intense female-led thriller.
  • Kim Go-eun’s breakout performance.
  • A fresh take on the crime genre.

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8. Office (오피스)

• Director: Hong Won-chan

• Cast: Ko Ah-sung, Park Sung-woong

• Genre: Thriller, Mystery

• IMDb Rating: 6.2/10

• Plot: When a disgruntled office worker goes missing after murdering his family, his co-workers begin experiencing paranoia and eerie occurrences at the office. Is he still lurking in the shadows, or is something even more terrifying at play?

• Why Watch?

  • A psychological thriller with social commentary.
  • Suspenseful and disturbing workplace horror.
  • Ko Ah-sung’s chilling lead performance.

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Final Thoughts

2015 was a remarkable year for Korean cinema, delivering powerful dramas, high-octane action, chilling thrillers, and heartfelt romances. Whether you're looking for historical epics, suspenseful crime stories, or emotional love stories, these movies are must-watches.

Which 2015 Korean film was your favorite? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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