South Korean entertainment industry is not only getting more and more recognized for K-pop and K-dramas, but also because of films. In fact, Korean movies have been awarded numerous times in several prestigious film festivals like the Cannes Festival, Academy Awards, and many more!
Receiving awards brings honor to the country, and most brings awareness internationally what Korean films have to offer. K-pop has been very popular, K-dramas have reached millions of households already, and Korean movies are getting the recognition they deserve.
Here are a few Korean crime thriller films you may want to watch and see for yourself.
The Man from Nowhere (2010)
Director: Lee Jeong Beom
This is a story of a man with a dark past who runs a pawnshop. The man's only friend, a little girl named So-mi, got kidnapped when the mother of his only friend unknowingly pawned a stolen bag containing illegal drugs. Eventually, the mafia went after her.
I Saw The Devil (2010)
Director: Kim Jee Woon
An agent for the National Intelligence Service tracks down the killer of his fiancé, who was brutally murdered and takes his revenge.
New World (2013)
Director: Park Hoon Jung
An undercover officer penetrates the biggest crime syndicate in Korea and gained ranks while being there for eight years. However, the head of the organization is killed, and his loyalty gets torn in between.
The Yellow Sea (2010)
Director: Na Hong Jin
A taxi driver, who has a gambling addiction, was hired to kill by a man to repay his debt. He then needs to go to South Korea to search for his wife, who has not been in contact with him for a long time, and to finish the task set by the man he is indebted to.
No Mercy (2010)
Director: Kim Hyeong Joon
A staff member from the National Institute of Scientific Investigation (NISI) tries to uncover the identity of a mysterious serial killer who likes to behead its victims.
National Security (2012)
Director: Jeong Ji Yeong
An ex-advisor to the Democratic United Party was arrested and was dragged to an anticommunist investigative room, an interrogation facility in Namyeong-dong. He was mercilessly and continuously tortured into confessing his collaboration with the communist.
Children (2011)
Director: Lee Kyu Man
Based on a true story, known as the "disappearance of the frog children," in 1991, five elementary students went out to nearby mountains to catch a frog and went missing.
A Hard Day (2014)
Director: Kim Seong Hoon
A dubious homicide detective tried to cover up the death of a man from a car accident is stalked by an unknown man claiming he witnessed the incident.
Nameless Gangster: Rules of The Time (2012)
Director: Yun Jong Bin
A customs officer at the Busan Port takes the bribe when he discovered a haul of drugs and became partners with the syndicate.
Secret Reunion (2010)
Director: Jang Hun
A former NIS (National Intelligence Service) agent teams up with a North Korean spy in search of revenge.
Confession of Murder (2012)
Director: Jeong Byeong Gil
Lee Du-Seok publishes an autobiography describing the details of the murders he committed after the statute of limitations expires. While a detective and a victim's mother search for the author, another killer is on the loose and begins murdering.
