Explosive Fights & Chases: Top Korean Action Movies of 2024


Korean action cinema continues to deliver high-adrenaline sequences, intense fight choreography, and gripping narratives. In 2024, filmmakers took action to the next level, with explosive chases, martial arts showdowns, and high-stakes heists. Here are the top Korean action films of the year.


1. Harbin (하얼빈)

  • Director: Woo Min-ho (Inside Men, The Man Standing Next)

  • Cast: Hyun Bin, Lee Dong-wook, Park Jung-min

  • Genre: Historical, Spy Thriller, War, Action

  • Language: Korean

  • IMDb Rating: 7.5/10

  • Plot: Set in the early 1900s, Harbin follows a group of Korean independence activists as they engage in high-risk espionage missions against the Japanese colonial forces. The film blends intense shootouts, close-quarters combat, and nerve-wracking chases through the streets of Harbin, China. Hyun Bin delivers a powerful performance as a resistance fighter determined to change history.


2. The Roundup: Punishment (범죄도시4)

  • Director: Heo Myung-haeng (*Debut Feature, Stunt Coordinator for The Roundup Franchise)

  • Cast: Ma Dong-seok, Kim Moo-yeol, Lee Dong-hwi

  • Genre: Crime, Action, Thriller

  • Language: Korean

  • IMDb Rating: 7.2/10

  • Plot: The fourth installment in The Roundup series brings back the unstoppable detective Ma Seok-do (Ma Dong-seok) as he takes on a brutal underground syndicate. This time, he’s up against a ruthless cybercriminal (Kim Moo-yeol) who manipulates digital currencies and dark web networks to fund his empire. Expect bone-crushing hand-to-hand combat, brutal takedowns, and high-speed chases through the neon-lit streets of Seoul.


3. The Plot (더 플롯)

  • Director: Lee Yo-sub (The Queen of Crime)

  • Cast: Kang Dong-won, Lee Moo-saeng, Lee Mi-sook

  • Genre: Crime, Thriller, Action

  • Language: Korean

  • IMDb Rating: 7.3/10

  • Plot: A celebrated crime novelist (Kang Dong-won) finds himself entangled in a real-life murder that mirrors his latest book. As assassins and corrupt officials close in, he must use his wits and survival instincts to escape a deadly conspiracy. With gripping chase sequences, rooftop parkour, and high-tension shootouts, The Plot is an edge-of-your-seat thriller with plenty of action.


4. Project Silence (프로젝트 사일런스)

  • Director: Kim Tae-gon (Familyhood)

  • Cast: Lee Sun-kyun, Ju Ji-hoon, Kim Hee-won

  • Genre: Action, Sci-Fi Thriller, Disaster

  • Language: Korean

  • IMDb Rating: 6.7/10

  • Plot: When a military experiment goes awry, a dense fog descends on a major highway, turning it into a death trap. Those caught in the chaos must fight against an unknown threat while attempting to escape. Project Silence delivers heart-pounding survival action with eerie suspense, making it a unique blend of action and sci-fi horror.


5. The Moon 2 (더 문 2)

  • Director: Kim Yong-hwa (Along with the Gods)

  • Cast: Doh Kyung-soo, Sol Kyung-gu

  • Genre: Space Action, Sci-Fi, Survival

  • Language: Korean

  • IMDb Rating: 6.9/10

  • Plot: Following the events of The Moon (2023), a second lunar mission turns into a desperate fight for survival. As astronauts face sabotage and dwindling oxygen, ground control must orchestrate a near-impossible rescue operation. With zero-gravity combat scenes and explosive spaceship chases, The Moon 2 elevates sci-fi action to new heights.


Final Thoughts

2024 has been a powerhouse year for Korean action films, offering everything from historical espionage and brutal crime-fighting to high-tech cyber chases and intergalactic battles. Whether you enjoy old-school fistfights or futuristic warfare, this year’s action-packed lineup has something for every adrenaline junkie.


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