The 10 Best South Korean Movies With Great Acting, Ranked (2024)

Streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+ are continuing to add to their library of South Korean content, such as the action film Mission: Cross and the revenge show The Impossible Heir. While South Korean entertainment continues to captivate audiences worldwide, there are a handful of films that showcase remarkable acting and deserve recognition.

It’s easy to gravitate to South Korean cinema as their films aren’t afraid to highlight sharp social commentaries, mesmerizing visual choices, and moving acting performances. From Choi Min-sik’s passionate characterization of a vengeful man in Oldboy to Gong Yoo’s portrayal of a heroic father in Train to Busan, the top South Korean movies with excellent acting performances rival the best films that come out of Hollywood.

10 'Train to Busan' (2016)

Directed by Yeon Sang-ho

The stakes have always been high in zombie films, but Train to Busan takes it to the next level. Seok-woo (Gong), a workaholic fund manager, is forced to confront his past and protect his estranged daughter from a deadly virus that turns passengers into zombies. With limited resources and time, Seok-woo must use his wits and courage to navigate the treacherous journey and ensure their survival.

Two actors who stood out in Train to Busan are Gong and Ma Dong-seo. Gong’s portrayal of Seok-woo as a protective and remorseful father is moving — he captures the character's internal struggle and redemption with raw emotion and sincerity. Ma, who is known for his impressive physique, brings to life the lovable and fearsome Sang-hwa while also adding a touch of humor and heart to the film. The actors’ performances, coupled with the film's smart plot, make Train to Busan one of the best international zombie films.

Train to Busan

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Release Date

July 20, 2016

Director

Sang-ho Yeon

Cast

Yoo Gong , Yu-mi Jeong , Dong-seok Ma , Su-an Kim , Eui-sung Kim , Woo-sik Choi

Runtime

118

9 'Silenced' (2011)

Directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk

Silenced follows Kang In-ho (Gong), an art teacher who arrives at a school for deaf children in the idyllic Mujin. There, he discovers a horrifying truth: the faculty is perpetrating unspeakable abuses against the students as they are shielded by a corrupt system. Thankfully, In-ho finds a powerful ally in a human rights activitst named Seo Yoo-jin (Jung Yu-mi), and together they challenge the injustices faced by the students in Mujin.

That’s why it wasn’t surprising that he was nominated for a Baeksang Arts Award for his performance. Despite its heavy source material, Silenced is a movie that’ll easily resonate with viewers due in large to Yoo’s nuanced acting and its narrative choices that allow audiences to ponder on the issues at hand.

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8 'Ode to My Father' (2014)

Directed by Yoon Je-kyoon

The life of a Korean man whose life is deeply intertwined with his nation’s struggles is highlighted in the movie Ode to My Father. It looks at Deok-soo’s (Hwang Jung-min) journey that spans decades — from being separated from his father and sister while finding refuge in South Korea to serving in the Vietnam War. A lifetime of chasing familial unity has left its mark on Deok-soo, and the movie shows him glazing back on what he experienced in his bittersweet life.

Hwang’s ability to age convincingly from a hopeful young man to a weary elder is worth every bit of praise. Deok-soo's journey is a complex one, filled with both triumphs and tragedies, and Hwang captures it with incredible authenticity. While the heartbreaking South Korean movie has been criticized for many things, including its glorification of oppressive times, it’s still a breathtaking experience to watch Hwang transform into Deok-soo.

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7 'Poetry' (2010)

Directed by Lee Chang-dong

In Poetry, Yang Mi-ja (Yoon Jeong-hee) finds an unexpected refuge in the world of poetry as Alzheimer's threatens to steal her memories and her grasp on reality. But her quiet search for beauty is violently interrupted when her grandson becomes implicated in a tragic crime. Now, Mi-ja must navigate the treacherous terrain of grief, guilt, and moral responsibility, all while battling the encroaching darkness of her own mind.

After a 16-year absence from the screen, Yoon returns with a performance that is both delicate and powerful in Poetry, capturing the essence of a woman grappling with the fragility of life and the weight of moral responsibility. It’s hard to not get swept by the film’s tender story and Jeon-Hee’s performance, especially since subtle expressions and measured movements speak volumes and portray her character’s struggles with sheer authenticity.

Watch on Kanopy

6 'The Handmaiden' (2016)

Directed by Park Chan-wook

Perhaps one of the most captivating period thrillers from South Korean cinema is Park Chan-wook’s The Handmaiden. The movie is set In 1930s Japanese-occupied Korea, where Sook-hee (Kim Tae-ri), a skilled pickpocket, is employed by the conniving Count Fujiwara (Ha Jung-woo) to gain the trust of a wealthy heiress named Lady Hideko (Kim Min-hee). Sook-hee is tasked with persuadingHideko to marry the Count in order to gain her fortune. However, an intimate bond between Sook-hee and Hideko derails the elaborate con.

The Handmaiden defies expectations as it features a thrilling sapphic love story brimming with intrigue. Kim, in her breakout role, embodies Sook-hee's transformation from a streetwise con artist to a passionate lover with preciseness. Meanwhile, Kim, as the enigmatic Hideko, delivers a heartbreaking depiction of a woman trapped by her circumstances. The undeniable spark between the two actors ignites the screen, leaving viewers riveted by both their charged interactions and the captivating plot twists of the film.

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5 'Oldboy' (2003)

Directed by Park Chan-wook

Oldboy is a movie that is often mentioned when the best revenge movies are brought up because it redefined what a revenge movie could be. The movie follows a man named Oh Dae-su (Choi Min-sik) who is thrust into a nightmare when he is kidnapped and imprisoned for 15 years without explanation. Upon his release, Dae-su is driven by an insatiable need for revenge against those who stole his freedom and destroyed his life.

It goes without saying that Choi gave a performance of a lifetime in Oldboy , as he captures his character's descent into madness with chilling realism. From his ferocious action scenes to his moments of quiet despair, Choi commands the screen. Contrasting Choi's raw performance is Kang Hye-jung’s delicate and vulnerable portrayal of Mi-do. Her portrayal of a woman who finds herself drawn to Dae-su's tortured soul is complex and compassionate. For their work in the film, Choi and Kang have both won awards at the prestigious Blue Dragon Film Awards.

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4 'Secret Sunshine' (2007)

Directed by Lee Chang-dong

Viewers of character-driven dramas will surely enjoy Secret Sunshine. The movie takes a look at the yearning of a piano teacher Lee Shin-ae (Jeon Do-yeon) to start a new life with her son Jun (Seon Jeong-yeop) in the town of Miryang. But their hopes for a new life are tragically shattered when Jun is kidnapped and murdered. Despite finding comfort in the church, her faith is challenged when she discovers the man who murdered her son has sought redemption within those same walls.

Her heartbreaking portrayal of Shin-ae as she navigates the complex way to process grief is honest, raw, and moving. The cathartic scene in the church further highlights Jeon’s acting prowess, as she embodies Shin-ae's emotional turmoil with a ferocity that will stir the souls of viewers.

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3 'The Chaser' (2008)

Directed by Na Hong-jin

From its title alone, The Chaser is a disturbing South Korean movie that’ll surely satiate cinephiles who yearn for cat-and-mouse thriller films. The story follows Jung-ho (Kim Yoon-seok), a former detective-turned-pimp, whose life takes a dark turn when several of his call girls mysteriously vanish. Sensing something amiss after another disappearance, Jung-ho dusts off his investigative skills and stumbles upon the horrifying truth: his girls are being coldly murdered by a serial killer.

Jung-ho is portrayed with grit and charisma by Kim, with his journey from being a disillusioned ex-cop to a man yearning for redemption. His performance is marked by moments of pure, unadulterated emotion, particularly in scenes where his frustration with the law's incompetence reaches a boiling point. The strong performance from Kim, as well as the movie’s intense and inventive thriller plot, has caught the attention of Korean audiences and critics alike.

Watch on Apple TV+

2 'Memories of a Murder' (2003)

Directed by Bong Joon-ho

Years before captivating global audiences with his English-language debut film, Bong Joon-ho has crafted an unforgettable murder mystery titled Memories of a Murder. The movie follows two detectives named Park Doo-man (Song Kang-ho) and Seo Tae-yoon (Kim Sang-kyung), as they look for a killer while navigating a community stricken with fear. As the investigation deepens, the detectives are forced to confront their own limitations and the devastating impact of the unsolved crimes on the community.

Song delivers a riveting performance as the flawed yet determined Detective Park, as viewers see him transform from a cocky investigator to a man haunted by failure. Kim’s portrayal of Detective Seo is equally powerful, as he doesn’t fail to provide the right energy to Park’s impulsive nature. It can be argued that the dynamic between the two detectives drives the emotional core of the film, although Bong’s directorial choices elevate the movie to a chilling exploration of the flawed nature of humanity.

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1 'Parasite' (2019)

Directed by Bong Joon-ho

Parasite’s sharp and biting narrative that highlights class struggles has helped propel it to the international stage. The movie takes a look at the Kim family, led by the resourceful Ki-taek, and their journey to escape poverty by posing as unrelated, highly qualified individuals. As they infiltrate the Park household, the Kim family uncovers a mystery found under their house, leading to a series of increasingly chaotic events.

The whole cast should be commended for their work, but the Kim family members deliver performances of such depth and nuance that they cease to be actors and become the characters themselves. For one, Song shows why he’s a successful thespian, as he subtly conveys his character's internal struggle with dignity and desperation. This is seen in the poignant scene where he overhears an insensitive remark from his employer. Park So-dam also shines as Ki-jung, the cunning daughter, whose transformation into the sophisticated “Jessica” is both persuasive and laced with dark wit. Viewers should be prepared to be, disturbed, but ultimately moved by Parasite.

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