We may all be fans of contemporary Korean cinema, which has rightfully gained global acclaim for its artistry, but how many cinephiles know about the classic Korean films that have built the foundations upon which the industry now stands? Delve into the world of classic Korean films with our list of the best from its golden age.
Leading the list is Viva Freedom!, the first movie to be made after Korea’s independence from Japan. This classic movie is directed by acclaimed Korean director Choi In-kyu, known for establishing the Korea Film Studio in 1935. Also popular as Hurrah! For Freedom, the movie was declared a Registered Cultural Heritage of South Korea in 2007. Meanwhile, Kang Dae-jin’s 1961 family drama A Coachman became the first Korean movie to win a major international award — the Silver Bear Extraordinary Jury Prize at the 11th Berlin International Film Festival in 1961.
Another title that makes it to our list of Korean classics is Kim Ki-young’s masterpiece The Housemaid. Deemed by critics as one of the best movies ever made, The Housemaid, through its black and white vignettes, tells the story of a manipulative maid unleashing chaos in the lives of a happy married couple.
Not to forget, the Lee Jung-jae starrer An Affair and the Park Chan-wook directorial Oldboy, which are widely considered the best classic Korean movies of all time. The former was a critical hit and won the Best Asian Film award at the 1999 Newport Beach International Film Festival. On the other hand, Oldboy, one of the highest-grossing Korean movies of 2003, made a total of USD 17.1 million worldwide against a budget of USD 3 million, according to Box Office Mojo.
Additionally, the action flick won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival. It was also nominated for the Palme d’Or, with jury president Quentin Tarantino applauding the movie’s brilliant portrayal of violence and revenge. Talking about the main theme of Oldboy, director Park said in a press conference (via Art Corporation), “Violence hurts both the abuser and the victim. My job is to broadcast this pain to the audience. The avenger, even when he gets satisfaction, still feels guilty – that’s my main idea.”
Indulge in vintage nostalgia with these classic Korean movies
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Viva Freedom! (1946)
Directed by: Choi In-kyu
Cast: Jeon Chang-geun, Yu Gye-seon, Hwang Yeo-heui
Approx. duration: 1 hr. 20 min.
Synopsis: In August 1945, freedom fighter Choi Han-jung (Jeon) breaks out of prison with a serious injury. Soon, he makes nurse Hye-ja’s (Hwang) house his new hideout. However, with Japanese soldiers after his life, will Han-jung be able to greet the morning of independence?
About the movie: Choi released two sequels to this movie in 1948 — The Night Before Independence Day and An Innocent Criminal.
(Image: Courtesy IMDb)
Piagol (1955)
Directed by: Lee Kang-cheon
Cast: Kim Jin-kyu, Lee Ye-chun, No Kyeong-hie, Heo Jang-kang
Approx. duration: 1 hr. 50 min.
Synopsis: After the armistice of the Korean War, a group of communist guerillas led by Agari (Lee) make gorge Piagol in mountain Jiri their new hideout. What happens when fellow members Ae-ran (No) and Cheol-su (Kim) start abhorring Agari’s rigid ideals and plan to free themselves from him?
(Image: Courtesy IMDb)
The Housemaid (1960)
Directed by: Kim Ki-young
Cast: Lee Eun-shim, Ju Jeung-nyeo, Kim Jin-kyu
Approx. duration: 1 hr. 52 min.
Synopsis: When his wife gets pregnant, doting husband Kim Dong-sik (Lee) hires maid Myung-sook (Jeon) to look after their house. However, Myung-sook falls for Dong-sik and the duo starts a passionate affair. What happens when Myung-sook gets pregnant and becomes the target of Dong-sik’s wife, who plans to kill the unborn baby?
About the movie: A remake of this erotic Korean movie with the same title was released in 2010 by director Im Sang-soo, with popular actor Jeon Do-yeon playing the role of the maid.
A Coachman (1961)
Directed by: Kang Dae-jin
Cast: Kim Seung-ho, Shin Young-kyun,
Approx. duration: 1 hr. 39 min.
Synopsis: With modernisation making its way to Korea after the war, Chun Sam (Kim) and his four children struggle hard for survival.
(Image: Courtesy IMDb)
An Aimless Bullet (1961)
Directed by: Yu Hyun-mok
Cast: Choi Moo-ryong, Kim Jin-kyu, Moon Jeong-suk, Seo Ae-ja
Approx. duration: 1 hr. 50 min.
Synopsis: Clerk Cheol-ho (Kim) works hard to feed his family all the while neglecting his health. His world is turned upside down when his sister Myeong-suk (Seo) ends up in jail for prostitution. Will Cheol-ho be able to overcome the crisis?
Mandala (1981)
Directed by: Im Kwon-taek
Cast: Jeon Moo-song, Ahn Sung-ki, Choi Sung-kwan
Approx. duration: 1 hr. 57 min.
Synopsis: Haunted by the memories of his former lover, Buddhist monk Beop-woon (Ahn) seeks the path to truth. Accompanying him in his endless journey is fellow monk Ji-san (Jeon).
About the movie: It is an adaptation of the classic Korean novel of the same name by Kim Seong-dong.
(Image: Courtesy IMDb)
An Affair (1998)
Directed by: Lee Je-yong
Cast: Lee Jung-jae, Kim Min, Lee Mi-suk
Approx. duration: 1 hr. 48 min.
Synopsis: Seo-hyun (Lee Mi-suk) leads a happy life with her architect husband and their 10-year-old son. Soon, the arrival of her younger sister’s new fiance U-in (Lee Jung-jae) changes the dynamics of her house. Things are further complicated when an affair with U-in threatens Seo-hyun’s marriage.
A Tale of Two Sisters (2003)
Directed by: Kim Jee-woon
Cast: Lim Soo-jung, Moon Geun-young, Yum Jung-ah
Synopsis: When disturbed sisters Soo-mi (Lim) and Su-yeon (Moon) return home from a mental hospital, they are forced to co-exist with their terrible stepmother (Yum). Adding to their woes are ghosts who unveil shocking truths about their family.
About the movie: An American adaptation, The Uninvited, starring actors Emily Browning and Elizabeth Banks was released in 2009.
Oldboy (2003)
Directed by: Park Chan-wook
Cast: Choi Min-shik, Yoo Ji-tae, Kang Hye-jung
Approx. duration: 1 hr. 41 min.
Synopsis: Businessman Oh Dae-soo (Choi) gets abducted and is locked up and tortured in a tiny room for 15 years. Once released, he vows to find his captors. However, in his quest for revenge, he unleashes truths that change his life forever.
Memories of Murder (2003)
Directed by: Bong Joon-ho
Cast: Song Kang-ho, Kim Sang-kyung, Kim Roe-ha
Approx. duration: 2 hr. 12 min.
Synopsis: When a series of murders and rapes create panic in Gyunggi province, Detective Park Doo-man (Song) and his team leave no stone unturned to put the criminals behind bars.
About the movie: Memories of Murder is a Korean movie based on a true story. The screenplay is inspired by the Hwaseong serial murders — the first confirmed serial murders in South Korea.
(Hero and Featured image: Courtesy MUBI)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Some of the most critically acclaimed Korean movies are “Oldboy”, “The Handmaiden”, “The Housemaid”, “Memories of Murder”, “Train to Busan” and “Parasite”.
Some of the most popular Korean movies are “Silenced”, “A Taxi Driver”, “Call”, “Decision to Leave”, “Hansan: Rising Dragon”, “Wonderland” and “Kill Boksoon”.
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Written by
Sushmita Mahanta
Digital Writer (Growth) - Entertainment
Sushmita is a writer with a passion for crafting engaging and informative stories. An avid fan of K-pop and K-dramas, Sushmita mostly writes about Korean culture and entertainment. When not writing, you can find Sushmita dancing, reading, collecting books, learning about fashion, art, motion pictures, and appreciating BTS.
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