Korean Cinema’s Greatest: The Best Films of 2017

2017 was a remarkable year for Korean cinema, delivering thrilling action, intense dramas, and groundbreaking storytelling. From hard-hitting crime thrillers to emotional masterpieces, these films showcased the depth of Korean filmmaking. Here are the top 10 must-watch Korean movies of 2017.

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1. A Taxi Driver (택시운전사)

• Director: Jang Hoon

• Cast: Song Kang-ho, Thomas Kretschmann, Yoo Hae-jin

• Genre: Drama, History

• IMDb Rating: 7.9/10

• Plot: A Seoul taxi driver unknowingly takes a German journalist to Gwangju, where they witness the horrors of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising. As the military dictatorship tightens its grip, the driver must make a life-altering choice.

• Why Watch?

  • Powerful retelling of a true historical event.
  • Song Kang-ho’s exceptional performance.
  • An emotional mix of action, drama, and history.

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2. The Outlaws (범죄도시)

• Director: Kang Yoon-sung

• Cast: Ma Dong-seok, Yoon Kye-sang

• Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller

• IMDb Rating: 7.2/10

• Plot: A tough-as-nails detective takes on a brutal Chinese-Korean gang terrorizing Seoul. With his fists and wit, he leads a dangerous manhunt to bring down a ruthless crime boss.

• Why Watch?

  • High-energy action and brutal fight scenes.
  • Ma Dong-seok’s charismatic and powerful role.
  • Inspired by real-life gang wars in Korea.

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3. 1987: When the Day Comes (1987)

• Director: Jang Joon-hwan

• Cast: Kim Yoon-seok, Ha Jung-woo, Yoo Hae-jin

• Genre: Drama, Thriller, History

• IMDb Rating: 7.8/10

• Plot: Based on real events, this film follows the student protests against South Korea’s dictatorship, sparked by the torture and death of a student activist. Journalists, prosecutors, and citizens fight for justice in a time of oppression.

• Why Watch?

  • Deeply moving and historically significant.
  • Top-tier performances and gripping storytelling.
  • A must-watch for fans of political thrillers.

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4. Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds (신과함께: 죄와 벌)

• Director: Kim Yong-hwa

• Cast: Ha Jung-woo, Cha Tae-hyun, Ju Ji-hoon

• Genre: Fantasy, Drama, Action

• IMDb Rating: 7.2/10

• Plot: After his sudden death, a firefighter’s soul is guided through the seven trials of the afterlife. His fate depends on whether he led a righteous life.

• Why Watch?

  • Visually stunning fantasy adventure.
  • Blends emotional storytelling with epic action.
  • One of Korea’s highest-grossing films ever.

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5. The Battleship Island (군함도)

• Director: Ryoo Seung-wan

• Cast: Hwang Jung-min, So Ji-sub, Song Joong-ki

• Genre: Action, Drama, War

• IMDb Rating: 7.1/10

• Plot: Based on true events, this film follows Korean laborers forced into brutal slavery on Japan’s Hashima Island during World War II. Their desperate escape turns into a harrowing fight for survival.

• Why Watch?

  • Powerful war drama with intense action.
  • Cinematically breathtaking battle sequences.
  • A gripping historical narrative.

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6. The Villainess (악녀)

• Director: Jung Byung-gil

• Cast: Kim Ok-bin, Shin Ha-kyun

• Genre: Action, Thriller

• IMDb Rating: 6.7/10

• Plot: A highly skilled female assassin is recruited into a secret organization, only to be haunted by her violent past. As she tries to escape, betrayals and bloodshed follow.

• Why Watch?

  • Incredible first-person action sequences.
  • A stylish mix of revenge and espionage.
  • Kim Ok-bin’s phenomenal performance.

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7. Midnight Runners (청년경찰)

• Director: Kim Joo-hwan

• Cast: Park Seo-joon, Kang Ha-neul

• Genre: Action, Comedy

• IMDb Rating: 7.1/10

• Plot: Two police academy students accidentally witness a kidnapping, leading them on a wild chase through Seoul. With no backup, they take matters into their own hands.

• Why Watch?

  • Perfect balance of comedy and action.
  • Great chemistry between Park Seo-joon & Kang Ha-neul.
  • Fast-paced and highly entertaining.

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8. Memoir of a Murderer (살인자의 기억법)

• Director: Won Shin-yun

• Cast: Sol Kyung-gu, Kim Nam-gil

• Genre: Thriller, Mystery

• IMDb Rating: 7.1/10

• Plot: A former serial killer suffering from Alzheimer’s begins suspecting that his daughter’s new boyfriend is a murderer. As his memory fades, he races to prove the truth.

• Why Watch?

  • Mind-bending psychological thriller.
  • Tense, unpredictable storytelling.
  • Sol Kyung-gu’s chilling performance.

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9. The King (더 킹)

• Director: Han Jae-rim

• Cast: Jo In-sung, Jung Woo-sung

• Genre: Crime, Drama

• IMDb Rating: 6.8/10

• Plot: A low-level prosecutor rises through the ranks by aligning with corrupt politicians. But when the system turns against him, he must decide whether to fight back or fall.

• Why Watch?

  • A stylish take on Korean politics & corruption.
  • Powerful performances & gripping storytelling.
  • Blends crime, drama, and political intrigue.

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10. Okja (옥자)

• Director: Bong Joon-ho

• Cast: Ahn Seo-hyun, Tilda Swinton, Jake Gyllenhaal

• Genre: Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi

• IMDb Rating: 7.3/10

• Plot: A young girl embarks on a dangerous mission to save her genetically modified pig from a powerful corporation that wants to exploit it for profit.

• Why Watch?

  • Heartfelt and thought-provoking.
  • Blends Korean storytelling with Hollywood-scale production.
  • A must-watch for fans of Bong Joon-ho.

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Final Thoughts

2017 was an incredible year for Korean cinema, offering everything from gritty crime dramas and thrilling action films to emotional historical epics and mind-bending sci-fi. Whether you're in the mood for intense suspense, heartwarming stories, or pulse-pounding action, these films deliver.

Which of these movies is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

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