Top Korean Movies of the Last Decade

Friday, March 5, 2010 at 5:37 pm

I love South Korean cinema, and that’s why I’ve put together this list of the top Korean movies of the last decade. If you’re an adventurous moviegoer, give one or more of these a try. You’ll find them nothing like what’s being produced by Hollywood, and the stories will often leave you anticipating repeat viewings. You can also buy Korean movies at Amazon, and the small commission we receive will help us keep bringing you more posts like this.

Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002) – A deaf-mute (Shin Ha-kyun) tries to raise money for his sister’s kidney transplant by kidnapping the daughter of a businessman (Song Kang-ho). Things turn sour, leaving the businessman aching for revenge. Directed by Park Chan-wook, this was the first film in his acclaimed Vengeance Trilogy.

Oldboy (2003) – The second film in Park Chan-wook’s Vengeance Trilogy, Oldboy tells the tale of Oh Dae-Su (Choi Min-sik), a businessman and father who’s abducted by mysterious forces and imprisoned in a hotel room for the next fifteen years. He’s suddenly released and told that he’ll be killed unless he can learn the identity of his abductor. Along the way, he meets and falls in love with a young sushi chef (Kang Hye-jeong).
Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (2005) – The third and final installment in the stunning Vengeance Trilogy, this film tells the story of Lee Geum-ja (Lee Young Ae), a woman imprisoned for a murder she didn’t commit. Released at the film’s beginning, she picks up the pieces of her life and methodically plots her revenge against the man (Choi Min-sik) who actually committed the crime.
Oasis (2002) – After serving a three-year prison sentence for involuntary manslaughter–a crime his older brother actually committed–a man tries to make amends with the family of the deceased. They throw him out, but not before he becomes captivated with the dead man’s daughter, a young woman stricken with cerebral palsy.
Secret Sunshine (2007) – The tragic story of a woman who loses both her child and husband, and the man who supports her through these dark times. Starring Song Kang-ho and Jeon Do-yeon (who won Best Actress at Cannes).
Mother (2009) – After her son is arrested for murder on the flimsiest of charges, an elderly mother goes searching for the real killer. Since she doesn’t spend all her time on golf courses, she actually gets somewhere with her investigation. Directed by Bong Joon-ho.

Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War (2004) – Two brothers fight in the Korean War and eventually end up on opposite sides of the battlefield. An epic story of courage, love, and honor. Starring Won Bin and Jang Dong-gun.
The King and the Clown (2005) – A 16th century Korean king (Jeong Jin Yeong) falls in love with an effeminate court clown (Lee Jun Ki), but the king is prone to murderous outbursts, and his top concubine is willing to eliminate anyone who competes for his affections.
Welcome to Dongmakgol (2005) – One of the highest-grossing South Korean films of all time, the movie is set during the Korean War. As chance would have it, forces from North and South Korea (plus an American pilot) find themselves in an isolated village. The village is so remote, in fact, that they’re completely unaware of the war raging around them.
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter…and Spring (2003) – A Buddhist monk resides in a monastery floating on a placid lake. As the film quietly progresses, the seasons of the man’s life are depicted. Roger Ebert counts this meditative film among the greatest ever made.

If you enjoyed this list of the top Korean movies of the last decade, you’ll also want to read these posts:

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Top Korean Movies of the Last Decade

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