10 Best Korean Movies of 2024

2024 has been a good year for Korean cinema with a diverse slate of quality releases, of which I feel that the true gems fall into the categories of crime, action, and suspense—stories of intrigue and mystery, intricate plotting, plot twists, and character development. Listed below are my favorites—the 10 best Korean films of 2024 that exemplify cinematic excellence and storytelling at their best.

My Name Is Loh Kiwan – Kim Hee-jin

My Name Is Loh Kiwan is about a North Korean defector’s experiences in an unfamiliar Belgium. Adapted from Cho Hae-jin’s novel I Met Loh Kiwan, the film has Song Joong-ki’s Loh Kiwan escaping his homeland and seeking refugee status from Belgian authorities, a grueling process in his quest for a new life. 

His story is a fleeting view of refugee experiences, displacement, and alienation. Amid language barriers and more, Loh’s inner conflicts, anxiousness, and lack of necessities are palpable as he labors to leave his past and live in the present. Things gain momentum through a chance encounter and growing closeness with Choi Sung-eun’s Marie, a Korean with Belgian citizenship who’s struggling with aimlessness and unhappiness. 

In brief, it’s a tale of resilience, love, and healing through well-knit storytelling and strong performances—a welcome addition to this year’s best releases in Korean cinema.

Dog Days – Kim Deok-min

Dog Days presents the interconnected experiences of several characters, each with his or her unique relationship with a dog.

The different plots in this heartwarming omnibus movie show how dogs can affect and change our equations with people around us. At best, it draws attention to what we share with our furry friends: the ways they can understand, accept, and love us and how we can overcome problems, make meaningful relationships, and find comfort through them.

Officer Black Belt – Jason Kim

This gripping action flick stars Kim Woo-bin as Lee Jung-do, a martial arts black belt. He enjoys online gaming with friends and sometimes works as a deliveryman for his father’s fried chicken business. In an unlikely turn of events, he assists a parole officer, and his skill level gains him a new job as a martial arts officer.

For the tasks at hand, he puts his best foot forward while apprehending criminals. As quick and nimble as he is, his physical prowess should not be underestimated. In between the intense fight scenes is some humor, keeping the plot lighthearted until Jung-do’s unrelenting efforts against a case of child molestation and more heinous crimes come into play. It’s worth watching.

Hijack 1971 – Kim Seong-han

Hijack 1971 reminds us of the real 1971 hijacking attempt of a Korean Air F27 airliner. In the film, Gyu-Sik (Sung Dong-il), the pilot of the flight from Sokcho Airport to Gimpo, Seoul; his co-pilot, Tae-in (Ha Jung-woo); and everyone on the plane find themselves at the mercy of a hijacker moments after it takes off.

The pilots are forced to divert the aircraft to North Korea by Yong-dae (Yeo Jin-goo), the mastermind behind everything. As the situation thickens, his objective and the sociopolitical context that shaped the events become clear. 

The performances and nuanced exploration of the hijacking incident solidify the film’s place in the archives of Korean action thrillers.

Mission: Cross – Lee Myeong-hun

Park Kang-moo (Hwang Jung-min) is a househusband whose life takes a thrilling turn when he becomes embroiled in something dangerous. His wife is the astute and determined detective Kang Mi-seon (Yeom Jung-ah), and unbeknownst to her, the husband holds a secret past of danger and intrigue (he happens to be a skilled former agent), setting the stage for a dramatic clash of loyalties and love.

This action-comedy movie puts together exhilarating tension and suspense with bursts of humor. Hwang and Yeom lend that sense of authenticity to what’s going on, drawing you deeper into their world. Their on-screen chemistry supplements the rapid-fire, intricate, and thrilling criminal conspiracy. Although their romance is underdeveloped in the beginning, I love how that dynamic evolves. As they move ahead through their rocky relationship, they gradually transform into a power [action] couple, each step forward adding depth to who they are and the overall story.

The Roundup: Punishment – Heo Myeong-haeng

The most recent installment in the Roundup series follows Detective Ma Seok-do (Ma Dong-seok, aka Don Lee) as he assembles a special team to catch the criminals—an illicit online gambling ring run by ex-Korean Special Forces man Baek Chang-gi (Kim Mu-yeol).

The film stokes excitement in the first place thanks to its macho monster cop hero, and as he squares off with the crooks, it becomes an epic of thrills and crazy action. The best part is that Ma leans more on hand punches rather than flashing guns. Amid crime, boxing, and Ma’s power play, there’s some comic relief, making for a classic masala Roundup story.

Uprising – Kim Sang-man

With a stellar ensemble that includes Gang Dong-won, Park Jeong-min, Cha Seung-won, Kim Shin-rok, Jin Sun-kyu, and Jung Sung-il, as well as “the” Park Chan-wook, who covered as co-writer and producer, the historical thriller is one you won’t want to miss.

It revolves around two men—a slave and the master—who were once friends but turned against each other during turbulent times, starring Gang Dong-won and Park Jeong-min in the lead roles.

Uprising triumphs for its story and for how grand it is, combining solid acting, excellent special effects, a precise portrayal that captures the ethos and emotions of the era it depicts, standout action and fight sequences, dynamic sounds, and just about anything else that speaks to its identity as an epic saga of war and revolt.

I, The Executioner – Ryoo Seung-wan

Hwang Jung-min plays seasoned Detective Seo Do-cheol, who, together with his team, calls upon newbie detective Park Sun-woo (Jung Hae-in) to locate a serial killer.

A fresh murder following more murders suggests a serial killer out there, taunting the investigating team with the reveal of the next target. When danger aggravates, Sun-woo steps into the inquiry. 

As a crime action drama, I, The Executioner is a class by itself, notably in its analysis of a period when fake news and videos impact reasoning and judgment. At the end of the day, it inspires reflection on how difficult—but necessary—it is to understand what’s real and right.

Citizen of a Kind – Park Young-ju

Citizen of a Kind is a gem of a crime drama in its interplay between victimhood, empowerment, and moral dilemmas encountered in the pursuit of justice. It tells the tale of Kim Deok-hee (Ra), a laundromat owner whose life is upended by a voice phishing scheme. 

Initially, the film depicts Deok-hee’s precarious financial circumstances after becoming a victim. The ensuing acts delve into the complexities of the criminal justice system and the extent she goes to for fairness and redemption when the offender, Kwon Jae-min (Gong Myung), reaches out to Deok-hee and suddenly discloses the truth behind the scam, prompting her to track him down and reclaim her stolen funds.

Exhuma – Jang Jae-hyun

Exhuma is a haunting and visually brilliant exploration of the dark forces that lurk beneath the surface, shown and seen through the plight of a wealthy Korean American family, who enlist the services of distinguished shaman Lee Hwa-rim (Kim Go-eun) and her apprentice Yoon Bong-gil (Lee Do-hyun) to help with the bizarre sickness that their child is suffering from.

In the process, when a grave is unearthed, fear consumes the family and those who dare to uncover its secrets. Mystery, horror, and the occult meld in masterful storytelling and a distinct visual language that deepens the dread and pulsating tension that permeates the story, evoking the haunting atmospherics of classic Korean horror films.