Best Korean Action Movies of 2012
2012 was a thrilling year for action cinema in South Korea, featuring high-stakes heists, gritty gangster battles, and historical epics. These movies blended intense fight sequences, sharp storytelling, and unforgettable characters, making them a must-watch for action fans. Here are the best Korean action movies of 2012 that delivered adrenaline-pumping excitement.
1. The Thieves (도둑들)
- Director: Choi Dong-hoon
- Cast: Kim Yoon-seok, Kim Hye-soo, Lee Jung-jae, Jun Ji-hyun
- Genre: Heist, Action, Crime
- Language: Korean
- IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
- Plot: A team of elite Korean and Chinese thieves teams up for a daring casino heist in Macau. However, when betrayal and secrets surface, the mission turns into a dangerous game of survival.
2. Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time (범죄와의 전쟁: 나쁜 놈들 전성시대)
- Director: Yoon Jong-bin
- Cast: Choi Min-sik, Ha Jung-woo
- Genre: Crime, Action, Thriller
- Language: Korean
- IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
- Plot: A corrupt customs officer partners with a rising gangster in the 1980s, helping him build an empire. But as the government cracks down on organized crime, their loyalty is put to the test.
3. R2B: Return to Base (알투비: 리턴 투 베이스)
- Director: Kim Dong-won
- Cast: Rain, Shin Se-kyung, Yoo Jun-sang
- Genre: Action, Military, Drama
- Language: Korean
- IMDb Rating: 5.8/10
- Plot: A rebellious fighter pilot is reassigned to an elite Air Force unit, where he must prove himself while facing a deadly aerial threat that could put his country at risk.
4. The Grand Heist (바람과 함께 사라지다)
- Director: Kim Joo-ho
- Cast: Cha Tae-hyun, Oh Ji-ho
- Genre: Historical, Heist, Action
- Language: Korean
- IMDb Rating: 6.2/10
- Plot: Set in the Joseon era, a team of unlikely thieves attempts to steal a massive stockpile of ice—a highly valuable commodity—while outwitting corrupt officials.
5. A Company Man (회사원)
- Director: Lim Sang-yoon
- Cast: So Ji-sub, Lee Mi-yeon
- Genre: Action, Thriller
- Language: Korean
- IMDb Rating: 6.6/10
- Plot: A cold-blooded hitman working for a corporate assassination agency decides to leave his deadly profession. But walking away isn’t easy when his employers see him as a liability.
6. As One (코리아)
- Director: Moon Hyun-sung
- Cast: Ha Ji-won, Bae Doona
- Genre: Sports, Action, Drama
- Language: Korean
- IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
- Plot: Based on a true story, this film follows the historic 1991 joint North-South Korean women’s table tennis team as they battle against all odds to win a world championship.
7. The Scent (간기남)
- Director: Kim Hyung-jun
- Cast: Park Hee-soon, Park Si-yeon
- Genre: Action, Thriller, Crime
- Language: Korean
- IMDb Rating: 6.1/10
- Plot: A detective specializing in adultery cases becomes the prime suspect in a murder when a client’s husband turns up dead. Now, he must fight to prove his innocence while uncovering a larger conspiracy.
8. Deranged (연가시)
- Director: Park Jung-woo
- Cast: Kim Myung-min, Moon Jung-hee
- Genre: Action, Thriller, Sci-Fi
- Language: Korean
- IMDb Rating: 6.4/10
- Plot: A mysterious parasite spreads through South Korea, turning people into mindless killers. A desperate scientist races against time to find a cure before his own family is infected.
Final Thoughts
2012 was a diverse and action-packed year for Korean cinema, offering everything from intense crime dramas and high-speed aerial combat to historical heists and deadly parasites. Whether you love fast-paced action, brutal fights, or smart storytelling, these films have something for everyone.
Which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
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