Intense Battles & Heists: Korean Action Films That Led 2020
2020 was a year of high-stakes action in Korean cinema, featuring intense battles, daring heists, and adrenaline-fueled chases. From historical epics to modern crime thrillers, these films kept audiences on the edge of their seats.
1. 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: In-nam, a skilled hitman on the verge of retirement, is pulled back into action when a young girl is kidnapped in Thailand. As he races against time to save her, he faces a relentless assassin, Ray, seeking revenge for his brother’s death. A brutal game of cat and mouse unfolds across international borders, filled with explosive action and gripping emotional stakes.
2. The Swordsman (검객)
- Director: Choi Jae-hoon
- Cast: Jang Hyuk, Kim Hyun-soo, Joe Taslim
- Genre: Action, Historical, Drama
- Language: Korean
- IMDb Rating: 6.7/10
- Plot: Tae-yul, a former royal guard who has gone into hiding, is forced to pick up his sword again when his daughter is taken by slave traders. As he fights against corrupt officials and powerful warriors, his past as the greatest swordsman of his era is revealed. With his vision failing, Tae-yul must rely on pure skill to protect what he loves in this beautifully choreographed period action film.
3. Time to Hunt (사냥의 시간)
- Director: Yoon Sung-hyun
- Cast: Lee Je-hoon, Ahn Jae-hong, Park Hae-soo
- Genre: Action, Thriller, Heist
- Language: Korean
- IMDb Rating: 6.3/10
- Plot: In a dystopian near-future, four young men attempt a high-risk heist to escape their bleak lives. However, their crime puts them in the crosshairs of a ruthless assassin who begins hunting them down one by one. The film masterfully blends tension, action, and psychological suspense, making every chase scene a nail-biting experience.
4. Steel Rain 2: Summit (강철비 2: 정상회담)
- Director: Yang Woo-seok
- Cast: Jung Woo-sung, Kwak Do-won, Yoo Yeon-seok
- Genre: Action, Political Thriller
- Language: Korean
- IMDb Rating: 6.3/10
- Plot: During a high-stakes peace summit between North and South Korea, a coup unfolds, and the leaders of both nations are taken hostage on a nuclear submarine. As tensions rise, a desperate battle for control of the submarine ensues, threatening to ignite a global conflict. With powerful performances and edge-of-your-seat action, this sequel to Steel Rain delivers intense political drama with explosive sequences.
5. The Golden Holiday (국제수사)
- Director: Kim Bong-han
- Cast: Kwak Do-won, Kim Dae-myung, Kim Sang-ho
- Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime
- Language: Korean
- IMDb Rating: 5.5/10
- Plot: Detective Byung-soo travels to the Philippines for a long-awaited family vacation but soon finds himself framed for a crime and entangled in a gold-smuggling operation. What begins as a holiday turns into a chaotic adventure filled with unexpected allies, thrilling escapes, and a hilarious dose of action-packed misfortune.
Final Thoughts
Korean action films in 2020 ranged from sword-fighting epics to dystopian heist thrillers, offering a mix of intense combat, emotional depth, and gripping storytelling. Whether it’s the brutal duels of The Swordsman or the international manhunt in Deliver Us from Evil, these films prove that Korean cinema continues to push the boundaries of action filmmaking.
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