Virtual Worlds & AI: The Most Intriguing Korean Sci-Fi Films of 2020


2020 brought a fascinating mix of Korean sci-fi films that explored artificial intelligence, dystopian societies, and mind-bending virtual realities. These movies offered thrilling narratives filled with advanced technology, moral dilemmas, and thought-provoking concepts.

1. Space Sweepers (승리호)

  • Director: Jo Sung-hee
  • Cast: Song Joong-ki, Kim Tae-ri, Jin Seon-kyu, Yoo Hae-jin
  • Genre: Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure
  • Language: Korean
  • IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
  • Plot: Set in the year 2092, Earth has become nearly uninhabitable, and the privileged live in space colonies. A crew of misfit space junk collectors aboard Victory stumbles upon a humanoid robot named Dorothy, who is secretly a highly dangerous weapon. As different factions try to seize control of Dorothy, the crew faces moral dilemmas about whether to sell her for profit or protect her from those who wish to exploit her. Combining thrilling space battles with emotional depth, Space Sweepers was Korea’s first big-budget space opera, drawing comparisons to Guardians of the Galaxy.

2. The Call (콜)

  • Director: Lee Chung-hyun
  • Cast: Park Shin-hye, Jeon Jong-seo, Kim Sung-ryung
  • Genre: Sci-Fi, Psychological Thriller, Horror
  • Language: Korean
  • IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
  • Plot: While The Call is primarily a thriller, it heavily incorporates sci-fi elements through its time-traveling concept. Seo-yeon, a young woman in 2019, discovers that she can communicate with a stranger named Young-sook, who is living in the same house—20 years in the past. What starts as a seemingly harmless connection turns into a terrifying battle for survival when Young-sook, a psychotic murderer, manipulates time to change her fate. With its mind-bending time paradoxes and eerie atmosphere, The Call is a sci-fi psychological horror masterpiece.

3. Time to Hunt (사냥의 시간)

  • Director: Yoon Sung-hyun
  • Cast: Lee Je-hoon, Ahn Jae-hong, Choi Woo-shik, Park Hae-soo
  • Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller, Action
  • Language: Korean
  • IMDb Rating: 6.3/10
  • Plot: In a dystopian future where the economy has collapsed, three desperate young men plan a heist in hopes of escaping their bleak lives. However, their crime attracts the attention of a relentless hitman, leading to a tense and suspenseful chase. While Time to Hunt leans more toward a survival thriller, its setting—a cyberpunk-inspired, tech-dominated society—adds a compelling sci-fi edge. With stunning cinematography and an intense cat-and-mouse game, this film presents a bleak vision of a near-future Korea.

4. JUNG_E (정이) – Released in 2023 but developed in 2020

  • Director: Yeon Sang-ho
  • Cast: Kang Soo-youn, Kim Hyun-joo, Ryu Kyung-soo
  • Genre: Sci-Fi, AI, Dystopian
  • Language: Korean
  • IMDb Rating: 5.4/10
  • Plot: Though officially released in 2023, JUNG_E was in development since 2020, featuring advanced AI themes. Set in a post-apocalyptic world where Earth is uninhabitable, a scientist works on a military AI project based on her late mother, a legendary soldier. The movie explores AI ethics, human consciousness, and the blurred line between technology and identity. Fans of cyberpunk and AI-driven narratives will appreciate its dark and thought-provoking themes.

Final Thoughts

Korean sci-fi films in 2020 took audiences on journeys through space, dystopian futures, and time loops, questioning the impact of AI and technology on human lives. Whether it’s the space-adventure spectacle of Space Sweepers, the eerie time-travel horror of The Call, or the cyberpunk dystopia of Time to Hunt, these films prove that Korea is a rising force in the sci-fi genre.


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