Suspense & Shock: Best Korean Thriller Films of 2022


Korean cinema once again delivered nail-biting suspense, intricate mysteries, and psychological mind games in 2022. From chilling crime dramas to high-stakes thrillers, these films kept audiences on edge with unexpected twists and masterful storytelling.

1. Decision to Leave (헤어질 결심)

  • Director: Park Chan-wook
  • Cast: Tang Wei, Park Hae-il, Lee Jung-hyun
  • Genre: Mystery, Crime, Romance
  • Language: Korean
  • IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
  • Plot: Hae-jun, a detective investigating the suspicious death of a man who fell from a mountain, finds himself drawn to the victim’s widow, Seo-rae. As he gets closer to her, his judgment becomes clouded by an obsessive attraction. Is Seo-rae a grieving wife or a cunning femme fatale? This slow-burn thriller, filled with Hitchcockian tension and breathtaking cinematography, keeps viewers guessing until the very end.

2. Hunt (헌트)

  • Director: Lee Jung-jae
  • Cast: Lee Jung-jae, Jung Woo-sung, Jeon Hye-jin
  • Genre: Spy Thriller, Action
  • Language: Korean
  • IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
  • Plot: Set in the 1980s, this gripping espionage thriller follows two elite South Korean intelligence agents on a mission to expose a North Korean mole. As the hunt intensifies, their trust in each other begins to unravel, leading to dangerous consequences. Directed by and starring Squid Game’s Lee Jung-jae, Hunt delivers adrenaline-pumping action and a complex political narrative that keeps audiences hooked.

3. The Anchor (앵커)

  • Director: Jung Ji-yeon
  • Cast: Chun Woo-hee, Shin Ha-kyun, Lee Hye-young
  • Genre: Psychological Thriller, Horror
  • Language: Korean
  • IMDb Rating: 6.2/10
  • Plot: News anchor Se-ra receives a disturbing call from a woman claiming she will be murdered that night. When the woman is later found dead, Se-ra becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth, leading her into a psychological nightmare where reality and hallucination blur. The Anchor masterfully builds suspense, making viewers question what’s real and what’s in Se-ra’s mind.

4. A Model Family (모범가족) – (Netflix Film)

  • Director: Kim Jin-woo
  • Cast: Jung Woo, Park Hee-soon, Yoon Jin-seo
  • Genre: Crime Thriller, Drama
  • Language: Korean
  • IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
  • Plot: Dong-ha, an ordinary man struggling with financial debt, accidentally stumbles upon a car filled with drug money. Desperate, he takes the cash, unknowingly getting entangled with a dangerous cartel. As his family becomes a target, Dong-ha is forced to make impossible choices to survive. Tense and gripping, A Model Family keeps audiences on the edge with its unpredictable turns.

5. Confession (자백)

  • Director: Yoon Jong-seok
  • Cast: So Ji-sub, Kim Yun-jin, Nana
  • Genre: Crime, Mystery, Legal Thriller
  • Language: Korean
  • IMDb Rating: 6.7/10
  • Plot: When a wealthy businessman, Min-ho, is accused of murder, he hires a skilled lawyer, Yoo Jung, to prove his innocence. As they reconstruct the events of the fateful night, shocking secrets unravel, revealing a web of lies, betrayal, and deception. A gripping legal thriller filled with unexpected twists, Confession keeps audiences second-guessing every character’s motives.

Final Thoughts

From mind-bending mysteries to high-stakes espionage, 2022 was a stellar year for Korean thrillers. These films showcased the genre’s signature blend of psychological depth, intense storytelling, and shocking revelations, making them must-watches for suspense lovers.


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