Best Korean Thrillers of 2020


2020 was a gripping year for Korean thrillers, delivering chilling stories that blended psychological horror, crime, and suspense. From brutal serial killers to mind-bending mysteries, these films kept audiences on the edge of their seats.

1. The Call (콜)

  • Director: Lee Chung-hyun
  • Cast: Park Shin-hye, Jeon Jong-seo, Kim Sung-ryung
  • Genre: Psychological Thriller, Horror, Mystery
  • Language: Korean
  • IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
  • Plot: Seo-yeon, a young woman, moves into her childhood home and receives a call from a stranger named Young-sook. She soon realizes the call is coming from the past—20 years ago. What starts as an innocent friendship turns into a terrifying nightmare when Young-sook, a psychotic murderer, begins altering the past to manipulate Seo-yeon's present. With a nail-biting cat-and-mouse game, The Call delivers relentless tension and shocking twists.

2. The Beast (비스트)

  • Director: Lee Jung-ho
  • Cast: Lee Sung-min, Yoo Jae-myung, Jeon Hye-jin
  • Genre: Crime, Thriller
  • Language: Korean
  • IMDb Rating: 6.0/10
  • Plot: This intense crime thriller follows two rival detectives investigating a brutal murder. Han-soo, an ambitious cop, finds himself crossing ethical lines when he makes a secret deal with a key witness. As the case spirals out of control, his moral compromises lead to dire consequences. With gripping suspense and a dark atmosphere, The Beast is a must-watch for fans of gritty crime dramas.

3. Me and Me (사라진 시간)

  • Director: Jung Jin-young
  • Cast: Cho Jin-woong, Bae Soo-bin, Jung Hae-kyun
  • Genre: Mystery, Psychological Thriller
  • Language: Korean
  • IMDb Rating: 5.9/10
  • Plot: A detective investigating a mysterious fire wakes up one morning to find his identity erased—nobody remembers who he is, and his past life has vanished. As he struggles to unravel the truth, the film takes a surreal and eerie turn, leaving audiences questioning reality. Me and Me is a mind-bending thriller that plays with identity and memory, delivering an unsettling, slow-burning horror experience.

4. Intruder (침입자)

  • Director: Son Won-pyeong
  • Cast: Song Ji-hyo, Kim Mu-yeol, Ye Soo-jung
  • Genre: Mystery, Psychological Horror
  • Language: Korean
  • IMDb Rating: 5.6/10
  • Plot: Seo-jin, a grieving architect, is shocked when his long-lost sister, Yoo-jin, suddenly returns after 25 years. But something about her feels off—her behavior is strange, and she exerts an eerie influence over the family. As Seo-jin investigates, he uncovers disturbing secrets that suggest his sister may not be who she claims to be. Intruder is a slow-burning thriller filled with paranoia and psychological horror.

5. Deliver Us from Evil (다만 악에서 구하소서)

  • Director: Hong Won-chan
  • Cast: Hwang Jung-min, Lee Jung-jae, Park Jung-min
  • Genre: Action, Thriller, Crime
  • Language: Korean
  • IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
  • Plot: Retired assassin In-nam is pulled back into the deadly underworld when he learns his ex-girlfriend has been murdered and her daughter kidnapped. As he sets out for a final mission, he is pursued by Ray, a sadistic killer seeking revenge. With intense action, brutal fight sequences, and a relentless cat-and-mouse chase, this high-octane thriller offers both emotional depth and gripping suspense.

Final Thoughts

Korean thrillers in 2020 explored twisted minds, eerie mysteries, and relentless revenge. Whether it’s the psychological horror of The Call, the crime-ridden intensity of The Beast, or the paranoia of Intruder, these films will leave you questioning reality and craving more suspense.


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