Criminal Minds & Twisted Endings: Best Korean Thrillers of 2019


2019 was a stellar year for Korean thrillers, delivering mind-bending twists, intense psychological battles, and gripping crime stories. These films kept audiences on the edge of their seats with unpredictable narratives, dark atmospheres, and unforgettable performances.

1. Parasite (기생충)

  • Director: Bong Joon-ho
  • Cast: Song Kang-ho, Lee Sun-kyun, Cho Yeo-jeong
  • Genre: Thriller, Drama
  • Language: Korean
  • IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
  • Plot: A poor family infiltrates a wealthy household under false pretenses, leading to shocking revelations and a brutal descent into chaos. A masterful blend of social commentary and suspense.

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

  • Director: Lee Won-tae
  • Cast: Ma Dong-seok, Kim Moo-yul, Kim Sung-kyu
  • Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
  • Language: Korean
  • IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
  • Plot: A ruthless gangster survives an attack by a serial killer and teams up with a cop to hunt him down, leading to an intense game of cat and mouse.

3. Svaha: The Sixth Finger (사바하)

  • Director: Jang Jae-hyun
  • Cast: Lee Jung-jae, Park Jung-min, Lee Jae-in
  • Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Horror
  • Language: Korean
  • IMDb Rating: 6.2/10
  • Plot: A pastor investigating religious cults stumbles upon a mysterious case involving a girl with a dark prophecy, uncovering sinister secrets along the way.

4. Idol (아이돌)

  • Director: Lee Su-jin
  • Cast: Han Seok-kyu, Sol Kyung-gu, Chun Woo-hee
  • Genre: Thriller, Drama
  • Language: Korean
  • IMDb Rating: 6.2/10
  • Plot: A politician's life unravels after his son is involved in a hit-and-run accident, leading to a tense psychological battle between morality and ambition.

5. Door Lock (도어락)

  • Director: Lee Kwon
  • Cast: Gong Hyo-jin, Kim Ye-won, Kim Sung-oh
  • Genre: Mystery, Thriller
  • Language: Korean
  • IMDb Rating: 6.4/10
  • Plot: A woman living alone discovers someone has been entering her apartment, triggering a terrifying investigation into a stalker lurking in the shadows.

6. Warning: Do Not Play (암전)

  • Director: Kim Jin-won
  • Cast: Seo Yea-ji, Jin Seon-kyu
  • Genre: Horror, Thriller
  • Language: Korean
  • IMDb Rating: 5.1/10
  • Plot: A filmmaker searching for a legendary cursed horror film finds herself trapped in a nightmarish reality as she uncovers its secrets.

7. Tazza: One-Eyed Jacks (타짜: 원 아이드 잭)

  • Director: Kwon Oh-kwang
  • Cast: Park Jung-min, Ryoo Seung-bum, Choi Yu-hwa
  • Genre: Crime, Thriller
  • Language: Korean
  • IMDb Rating: 5.9/10
  • Plot: A young gambler joins an elite poker crew to take down a dangerous conman, but betrayal and deception threaten to tear them apart.

Final Thoughts

2019’s Korean thrillers showcased a range of gripping stories, from crime dramas to psychological horror. If you love intense storytelling and shocking endings, these films are a must-watch.

Which one left you speechless? Let us know in the comments!


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