10 Latest Korean Movies to Watch in 2024
South Korea has become a beloved hub of entertainment. From K-Pop and K-Dramas to its burgeoning film industry, this nation is now in the global spotlight, especially after several of its films have snagged prestigious international awards. As a result, South Korean directors, screenwriters, and actors are creating more works than ever.
Each month brings a new Korean movie that makes its mark on the international scene. Many of these films offer fresh and unique stories, ready to captivate audiences. Showpoiler has compiled a list of the latest Korean movies for your viewing pleasure. Here are the top picks:
Lim Gyu Nam (Lee Je Hoon) is a North Korean soldier who has been serving for a decade. He announces his retirement, but in reality, he plans to escape to South Korea to start a new, freer life.
Gyu Nam devises various strategies to escape, and one of his juniors, Kim Dong Hyuk, discovers his plans and decides to join him. The two work together to make their escape, but ultimately, they are caught.
Major Li Hyeon Sang (Koo Kyo Hwan) from the North Korean National Security Agency is sent to investigate the case. Hyeon Sang, Gyu Nam's childhood friend, doesn't accuse Gyu Nam of being a defector. Instead, he turns him into a hero who captures defectors.
However, Gyu Nam remains determined to escape, inciting Hyeon Sang's wrath. Hyeon Sang is bent on thwarting his friend's plans, as he is actually trying to protect Gyu Nam's life. This movie follows the intense cat-and-mouse chase between the two childhood friends.
2. Hijack 1971
Year | 2024 |
Genre | Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller |
Director | Kim Sung Han |
Cast | Ha Jung Woo Sung Dong Il Yeo Jin Goo Chae Soo Bin |
In 1971, a 22-year-old young man hijacked a Korean Air F27 plane, attempting to force it to land in North Korea. Although the hijacker was shot, the bomb he carried exploded, injuring many crew members and passengers. This harrowing incident was adapted into the 1971 movie "Hijack."
The film is set at Sokcho Airport in the winter of 1971, where pilots Tae In (Ha Jung Woo) and Gyu Sik (Sung Dong Il) are scheduled to fly to Gimpo. The flight initially proceeds smoothly, but shortly after takeoff, an improvised explosive device detonates on board.
The explosion is caused by Yong Dae (Yeo Jin Goo), a young man attempting to hijack the plane and steer it towards North Korea.
Gyu Sik, the flight's captain, is injured in the explosion and loses sight in one eye. In the midst of the chaos, Tae In becomes the passengers' only hope. Despite having a gun pointed at his head by Yong Dae, Tae In bravely risks his life to save everyone on the plane.
3. Wonderland
Year | 2024 |
Genre | Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi |
Director | Kim Tae Yong |
Cast | Tang Wei Bae Suzy Park Bo Gum Choi Woo Shik Jung Yu Mi |
How would you feel if you could communicate with your loved ones who have passed away? It seems impossible, doesn't it? But this is the premise of the film Wonderland.
Wonderland is a fictional world where people who have died can be "revived" through artificial intelligence technology. However, the reality in Wonderland is governed by Harry and Hyun Soo, the individuals in charge of this simulated world.
Jeong In had a difficult time when her boyfriend, Tae Ju, fell into a coma. Desperate to talk to him again, she uses Wonderland to connect with Tae Ju and try to strengthen their relationship.
In addition to Tae Ju's story, the film also tells the story of Bai Li. Although Bai Li is deceased, she can connect with her daughter and family in the real world through Wonderland.
4. The Plot
Year | 2024 |
Genre | Crime, Mystery, Thriller |
Director | Lee Yo Sup |
Cast | Kang Dong Won Lee Moo Saeng Lee Mi Sook Lee Hyun Wook Tang Jun Sang |
In this movie, Kang Dong Won will reunite with Lee Dong Hwi, his co-star from Broker and Dr. Cheon and the Lost Talisman. Although, in The Plot, Dong Hwi plays a supporting role. Kang Dong Won portrays a "designer," a mastermind who makes murders appear as accidents.
His clients are usually criminals who have meticulously planned these killings. Yeong Il (Kang Dong Won) takes on this dangerous work for the substantial rewards, using the money to support his lifestyle.
One day, Yeong Il receives a particularly challenging assignment. His new task is to kill an influential figure who is constantly in the media spotlight.
Despite the enormous risks involved, Yeong Il decides to proceed with the mission. He teams up with Jackie (Lee Mi Sook), Wol Cheon (Lee Hyun Wook), and Jeom-man (Tang Jun Sang) to carry out this high-stakes operation.
5. I, The Executioner
Year | 2024 |
Genre | Action, Crime, Drama |
Director | Ryu Seung Wan |
Cast | Hwang Jung Min Jung Hae In |
I, The Executioner is a thrilling action drama film from South Korea. It follows the story of solving cases within the South Korean police's criminal investigation unit. This movie is a sequel to Veteran, released in 2015. Once again, director Ryu Seung Wan has been entrusted by CJ Entertainment to direct this film.
After successfully solving the criminal case involving the powerful Sinjin Group in Veteran (2015), police detective Seo Do Cheol (Hwang Jung Min) faces another challenging case. This time, Detective Do Cheol is tracking a serial killer who has terrorized South Korea.
Detective Do Cheol is not alone in this case. He is joined by a young police detective, Park Sun Woo (Jung Hae In), who has just joined his team. Together, they must work to catch the killer and eliminate the criminals involved in the case.
6. 8 Suspects
Year | 2024 |
Genre | Mystery, Thriller |
Director | Oh In Chun |
Cast | Seo Han Gyeol Lee Sol Gu |
During the Japanese occupation of Korea in 1944, a renowned filmmaker is mysteriously found dead. To crack this case, a clever lawyer, Chan Keun, and a skilled mystery writer, So Yoon, bring together eight suspects.
The group includes a dentist, a young businessman, a café owner, a telephone operator, and an architect, all confined to one room. The air is thick with tension as Chan Keun starts questioning them. Each suspect must present their alibi and prove their innocence.
Yet, before the investigation completes, all suspects begin to be poisoned and killed one after another. Panic ensues when they realize they are caught in a lethal trap. With only three hours remaining, those still alive must collaborate to identify the murderer among them before they too are killed.
This South Korean indie film, directed and written by Oh Incheon, might seem modest in production but its intriguing plot makes it an engaging watch for fans of mystery movies.
7. Again 1997
Year | 2024 |
Genre | Drama, Fantasy |
Director | Shin Seung Hoon |
Cast | Cho Byeong Kyu |
At 40, Woo Seok is the main support for his family. He works as a stuntman, although he once dreamed of being a famous actor. Unfortunately, facial scars prevent him from becoming a leading actor.
One day, Woo Seok saved an elderly monk from being hit by a car and bought five amulets from him. To his surprise, one amulet transported him back to 1997, during his high school days.
Caught between shock and excitement, Woo Seok vows to change his future. He plans to focus on his studies and pursue his acting career. He even avoids Ji-Min, his future wife, because an accident involving her left him with the scar on his face.
This supernatural drama was directed by Shin Seung Hoon and features a cast of mostly young actors, including Koo Jun Hoe from the idol group IKON.
Si Young was selected as the lead in an art film shot in an old school. Si Young, a dancer, and her friend Chae Yoon performed a dance resembling a shamanic ritual for a scene in the film.
From their first visit to the location, Si Young and the crew sensed an eerie atmosphere but continued filming. The situation escalated when a staff member, seemingly in a trance, fell from the roof.
The crew and other actors watched in horror as the staff member's body disintegrated and then bizarrely revived like a zombie. The terror unfolded as the zombie began attacking and infecting others. Now, the survivors must not only uncover the mystery behind these events but also escape the terrifying ordeal.
Director Han Dong Seok blends Korea's religious diversity with zombie horror in this film. He also credits his inspiration to famous zombie movies by Umberto Renzi and Lamberto Bava.
9. Troll Factory
Year | 2024 |
Genre | Crime, Drama |
Director | Ahn Gook Jin |
Cast | Son Suk Ku Kim Sung Cheol Kim Dong Hwi Hong Kyung |
The movie Troll Factory explores the themes of journalism and the darker side of the online world, focusing on a reporter played by Son Suk Ku.
Im Sang Jin (Son Suk Ku) is a journalist at a newspaper company. He was disciplined for reporting on a corruption case involving the powerful Manjeon Group.
One day, Sang Jin learns about a group known as the Alley Team. Rumored to manipulate public opinion online, this team is believed to have twisted the news about the Manjeon Group to appear fake.
The group includes members like Jjing Ppeot Kking (Kim Sung-Cheol), Chat Tat Kat (Kim Dong-Hwi), and Paeb Taek (Hong Kyung).
To clear his name, Sang Jin starts digging into the Alley Team. However, he uncovers a shocking truth: a significant force is backing the group.
10. 1980: The Unforgettable Day
Year | 2024 |
Genre | Drama, History |
Director | Kang Seung Yong |
Cast | Kang Shin Il Kim Gyu Ri Baek Sung Hyun Han Soo Yeon |
Like many countries, South Korea has a dark chapter in its history, which inspired the film The Unforgettable Day. This movie is set during the Gwangju Democratization Movement on May 18, 1980.
The movement began when the dictatorial President Chun Doo Hwan seized power and declared martial law, leading to widespread riots and military violence.
The Unforgettable Day tells the story from the perspective of a family that owns a restaurant in Gwangju. The family patriarch, Cheol Su's grandfather, had always dreamed of owning his own restaurant. His dream came true when he opened his first Chinese restaurant, but his joy was short-lived as chaos soon erupted in Gwangju.
Not only was his restaurant at risk, but he also had to protect his family. They were often wrongly accused of being communists by local residents, attracting dangerous attention from the military.