Parasite managed to sweep the Academy Awards creating new fans of South Korea’s film industry. The film took home the biggest awards and managed to be the first best foreign film winner to also win best picture. From this, the world is waking up to the greatness that is South Korean film. Like many countries around the world, American/western films haved dominated the box office in South Korea, but a few filmmakers have been working diligently in the last few decades to shape the local industry. Parasite‘s director, Bong Joon-Ho, has been a major influence on the industry with his genre mixing style. So, if you loved Parasite check out these five films as a primer on modern South Korean film.
The Host
The Host is also a creation of Bong Joon-Ho. This film mixes comedy, family drama and monster movie to create a fun and engaging story. The film centers on a girl who gets taken by the creatues, so her family leaps into action to save her. This results in a film that works like Little Miss Sunshine mixed with Godzilla.
Synopsis: On 09 February 2000, the American military base of Yongson releases toxic chemicals in the drain to the Han River under the direct order of an arrogant coroner. Six years later, a mutant squid monster emerges from Seoul’s Han River and focuses its attention on attacking people.
Available for rent on Amazon Prime Video
The Admiral: Roaring Currents
The Admiral: Roaring Currents was the most attended South Korean film for many years and was able to beat out Avatar‘s long-standing record in the country. This film was a box office success internationally with a limited release in China and the United States.
Synopsis: The story of Korean history’s most astonishing military victory by its greatly revered strategist, Admiral Yi Sun-sin, who lures over 300 Japanese ships into a deadly trap where they meet their fate against only 13 battle ships. Korean Language film with English subtitles.
Available for rent on Amazon Prime Video
Snowpiercer
Snowpiercer is Bong Joon-Ho’s english-speaking film debut. The film is based on a french graphic novel and is a Czech/South Korean film. The films stars Chris Evans onboard a the train carrying the last reamining humans on a frozen earth. A TV series based on the film will premiere this June on TNT starring Jennifer Connelly.
Synopsis: The Earth’s remaining inhabitants are confined to a single train circling the globe as revolution brews among the class-divided cars.
Available on Netflix
Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds
Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds is the third most watched film in South Korean movie history. The film is the first in a franchise of films that contiue to be made. The film is a cross between fantasy and action, furthering the genre blending the country is known for.
Synopsis: In this action-packed fantasy epic, a firefighter is taken to the afterlife by three guardians, where only after passing seven trials and proving he lived a noble life will he be able to reincarnate.
Available on Hulu
Extreme Job
Extreme Job is an action comedy that became a smash hit in 2019. This film quickly became the second most viewed film in South Korean movie history. This film sold 10 million tickets in only 15 days.
Synopsis: Narcotics detectives work under cover in a chicken joint to try and bust a gang of organized criminals. Things take an unexpected turn when their new recipe suddenly transforms the run-down restaurant into the hottest eatery in town.
Available on for rent Amazon Prime Video