Twists & Mind Games: The Best Korean Thrillers of 2017


2017 was a fantastic year for Korean thrillers, delivering a mix of psychological mind games, crime mysteries, and edge-of-your-seat suspense. If you love unexpected twists and gripping storytelling, these movies will keep you hooked.

1. The Villainess (악녀)

  • Director: Jung Byung-gil

  • Cast: Kim Ok-bin, Shin Ha-kyun, Sung Joon

  • Genre: Action, Thriller

  • IMDb Rating: 6.6/10

  • Plot: Trained from a young age to be a killer, a female assassin tries to leave her past behind, but secrets and betrayals force her back into a deadly game.

  • Why Watch?

    • Stylish, intense action sequences (including a jaw-dropping first-person fight scene).
    • A story packed with shocking twists.
    • A strong female lead with a tragic backstory.

2. Memoir of a Murderer (살인자의 기억법)

  • Director: Won Shin-yun

  • Cast: Sol Kyung-gu, Kim Nam-gil, Seolhyun

  • Genre: Crime, Thriller

  • IMDb Rating: 7.1/10

  • Plot: A former serial killer with Alzheimer’s struggles to protect his daughter when he suspects a young police officer might be the real murderer.

  • Why Watch?

    • A fresh twist on the serial killer genre.
    • Sol Kyung-gu’s brilliant performance as an unreliable narrator.
    • An intense game of cat and mouse with psychological depth.

3. The Outlaws (범죄도시)

  • Director: Kang Yoon-sung

  • Cast: Ma Dong-seok, Yoon Kye-sang

  • Genre: Crime, Action, Thriller

  • IMDb Rating: 7.2/10

  • Plot: Based on true events, a tough cop takes on a ruthless Chinese-Korean gang leader in Seoul’s crime-ridden Chinatown.

  • Why Watch?

    • Brutal yet darkly humorous action.
    • Ma Dong-seok’s badass role as a detective.
    • Realistic and intense gang conflicts.

4. Bluebeard (해빙)

  • Director: Lee Soo-yeon

  • Cast: Cho Jin-woong, Kim Dae-myung, Lee Chung-ah

  • Genre: Psychological Thriller, Mystery

  • IMDb Rating: 6.4/10

  • Plot: A doctor overhears a suspicious conversation that makes him believe his patient might be a serial killer. As paranoia takes over, he uncovers shocking secrets.

  • Why Watch?

    • A slow-burn thriller with psychological tension.
    • Mind games that make you question reality.
    • Creepy atmosphere and chilling performances.

5. A Special Lady (미옥)

  • Director: Lee An-kyu

  • Cast: Kim Hye-soo, Lee Sun-kyun

  • Genre: Crime, Action, Thriller

  • IMDb Rating: 5.7/10

  • Plot: A powerful female crime boss tries to leave her dangerous life behind, but betrayal and revenge make escape impossible.

  • Why Watch?

    • A rare female-led noir thriller.
    • Stylish cinematography with intense action.
    • A gripping story of power, ambition, and sacrifice.

6. Real (리얼)

  • Director: Lee Sa-rang

  • Cast: Kim Soo-hyun, Sung Dong-il, Sulli

  • Genre: Action, Mystery, Thriller

  • IMDb Rating: 3.9/10

  • Plot: A man with split personalities gets involved in a dangerous underworld game, leading to mind-bending twists.

  • Why Watch?

    • Visually stunning cinematography.
    • Kim Soo-hyun’s boldest role to date.
    • A surreal, experimental take on psychological thrillers.

Final Thoughts

If you love plot twists, dark secrets, and psychological depth, these 2017 Korean thrillers are must-watch. Whether it's high-intensity action, crime investigations, or psychological horror, each film offers a unique experience.

Which thriller intrigued you the most? Let us know in the comments!


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