25 Korean movies you should watch in 2024
PlusMKorean entertainment has skyrocketed to global fame, from award-winning K-dramas to captivating movies — and 2024 is just the beginning.
While K-dramas have been around for some time, like the teen classic Boys Over Flowers, Korean movies have begun to take center stage. Films like Oldboy were well-loved, but with Parasite breaking through to Hollywood, this genre of movies have a new footing.
Korean cinema isn’t new to creating hits as it produced films such as Train to Busan, Silenced, Forgotten, and Memories of Murder. However, 2024 has opened up a new slate from movies on Netflix to more star-studded blockbusters to look out for.
Amid the various reality TV series and K-dramas that have fans hooked, it’s time to invest in the Korean movies coming in 2024.
1. Alienoid: Return to the Future
Cast: Ryu Jun-yeol, Kim Tae-ri, and Kim Woo-bin
What it’s about: A continuation of the first 2022 movie, Alienoid 2 focuses on humans and monks who go back to the present to try and save everyone while acquiring a new sword. Ian returns as a main character and uses a time gate to bring allies, aiming to stop the aliens, prevent Hava’s explosion, and save people.
Why you should watch it: It’s best to ignore ratings for this one. Alienoid 2 is a perfect sequel to the original full of action, comedic moments, and goosebumps as the main characters try to save the world. If a fan of time travel or the sci-fi genre, Alienoid 2 is a welcome break from American cinema.
Release date: January 10, 2024
2. Citizen of Kind
Cast: Ra Mi-ran, Gong Myung, Ahn Eun-jin, Sung Hyuk, Jang Yoon-ju
What it’s about: Based on a true story, Deok-hee loses her laundromat in a fire and becomes a victim of a voice phishing scheme. She begins to investigate the people responsible and goes after them with the help of those closest to her.
Why you should watch it: Citizen of a Kind is worth watching for actor Ra Mi-ran alone. She brings the needed level of emotional grit to a heartfelt story. Not to mention, the movie ties in comedic tones with a close group of characters hellbent on catching criminals who ruin people’s lives.
Release: January 24, 2024
3. Ms. Apocalypse
Cast: Lee Yoo-young, Im Seon-woo, Noh Jae-won
What it’s about: In 1999, Young Mi develops a crush on a married man. They both go to prison for embezzlement. When she’s released, his wife Yu Jin offers to help pay off her husband’s debt. Being disabled, Young Mi feels uneasy taking the money, but she does and the two end up living together.
Why you should watch it: Ms. Apocalypse is a movie for those who like a bizarre, out-of-the-box, yet heartfelt story. The movie depicts an unlikely friendship and the colorful journey of a female lead finding herself.
Release: January 24, 2024
4. Badland Hunters
Cast: Ma Dong-seok, Lee Hee-joon, Lee Jun-young, Roh Jeong-eui
What it’s about: Badland Hunters serves as a sequel to the movie Concrete Utopia set in an apocalyptic world after a disastrous earthquake. Nam-san is a wasteland hunter who ventures with his partner to save a young girl and others from a rogue scientist.
Why you should watch it: The good thing about Badland Hunters is that you don’t need to watch Concrete Utopia to understand what’s going on. A casual viewer can have a fun time diving into a post-apocalyptic world where things go crazy when humans aren’t exactly human anymore.
Release: January 26, 2024
5. Dog Days
Cast: Yoo Hae-jin, Youn Yuh-jung, Kim Yun-jin, Kim Seo-hyung, Daniel Henney
What it’s about: A feel-good movie, Dog Days revolves around a group of characters and their connection to a veterinary hospital. Brought together by their dogs, the movie explores their stories as they get to know each other and heal.
Why you should watch it: In need of a feel-good movie? Dog Days is the perfect match when needing a good cry on a Sunday afternoon, or want a storyline that tugs at the heartstrings.
Release: February 7, 2024
6. Dead Man
Cast: Cho Jin-woong, Kim Hee-ae, Lee Soo-kyung
What it’s about: This crime thriller follows a man named Lee Man-jae, an ace in the barge business. His life changes when he’s falsely accused of stealing 100 billion won and forced to live as a “dead man.” He ventures to regain his life and hunt down the people responsible.
Why you should watch it: The storyline alone is worth the watch. Korean cinema is known for its action sequences and storylines of a criminal underworld. Dead Man encompasses everything action fans would want in a movie as a man seeks to take back his life.
Release: February 7, 2024
7. Exhuma
Cast: Choi Min-sik, Kim Go-eun, Yu Hae-jin, Lee Do-hyun, Jeon Jin-ki.
What it’s about: In this supernatural thriller, a renowned shaman and her protégé are called to do a job for a wealthy family. Their new employers want the duo to uncover the truth behind strange occurrences, as well as the mysterious illness affecting their newborn. The shaman soon performs a ritual that unleashes a greater evil.
Why you should watch it: Exhuma has been tagged as one of the best Korean movies of the year. It does the job of diving head-first into the chills and darkness of the spiritual world. The movie is a prime example of how well Korean cinema tackles folklore to create a movie that makes you want to leave the lights on.
Release: February 22, 2024
8. My Name is Loh Kiwan
Cast: Song Joong-ki, Choi Sung-eun, Jo Han-chul, Kim Sung-ryung, Lee Il-hwa.
What it’s about: North Korean defector Loh Kiwan arrives in Belgium to start a new life. Unable to speak the language and alone, he struggles to gain refugee status. Along the way, he meets a young woman named Mari and a romance begins to unfold amid their emotional stories.
Why you should watch it: This Netflix movie is one to watch due to its emotionally-charged storyline. Kiwan’s storyline is one many can relate to if you come from an immigrant family.
Release: March 1, 2024
9. Again 1997
Cast: Jo Byeong-gyu, Koo Jun-hoe, Choi Hee-seung, Han Eun-soo, Park Cheol-min, Lee Mi-do, Kim Da-hyun.
What it’s about: Woo-seok is in his 40s and is seen as the breadwinner of his family. But, he’s not necessarily the best person in their eyes, and works as a stuntman after a scar got rid of his chances as an actor. As he longs to return to his high school years, Woo-seok ends up helping a monk and buys five talismans from him. Woo-seok soon gets into an accident and wakes up back in 1997, where he tries to change his future.
Why you should watch it: It’s a classic tale of reliving the past and trying to walk down what you think is the greener path. While the premise is not new, but the movie still does the job of having the main character realize they actually had it good from the beginning and strive to make things right in their present.
Release: April 10, 2024
10. The Roundup: Punishment
Cast: Ma Dong-seok, Kim Mu-yeol, Park Ji-hwan, Lee Dong-hwi.
What it’s about: The movie serves as the fourth installment of The Roundup series and the sequel to The Roundup: No Way Out. When Detective Ma Seok-do joins the Cyber Investigation Team, he’s tasked with helping capture Baek Chang-ki, the head of an online gambling organization.
Why you should watch it: Ma Dong-seok is a beast when it comes to the action genre. The Roundup: Punishment continues to showcase his abilities as a dynamic and powerful presence on screen. And who doesn’t love a crime story of a detective hunting down a big bad criminal?
Release: April 24, 2024
11. Following
Cast: Shin Hae-sun, Byun Yo-han, Lee El, Jang Sung-bum, Han So-ha.
What it’s about: Realtor Jun-tae has a habit of entering people’s homes for kicks and peeping into their lives. When Instagram celebrity So Ra leaves her house key at his office, he takes the chance to enter her home. Like any other day, he sneaks in for a thrill but discovers her dead. More bad luck ensues when his criminal habit implicates him as the killer.e
Why you should watch it: Following is a good watch for fans who like the “Whodunit” genre. A celebrity shows up dead and the only suspect is the person that didn’t kill her. It’s a cat-and-mouse chase to see how the events really unfolded that led to the murder.
Release: May 2024
12. Hijacking
SonyCast: Ha Jung-woo, Sung Dong-il, Yeo Jin-goo, Chae Soo-bin.
What it’s about: Set in 1971 when airline hijackings were at an all-time high, Korean Air Force fighter pilot Tae-in finds himself in a situation. Now working for a commercial airline, his plan gets hijacked. He must try to de-escalate the situation and save the passengers mid-air.
Why you should watch it: Hijacking sounds like a fun watch thanks to its tension-filled story. A plane is taken hostage and somehow they have to defuse the situation. The first movie that comes to mind is Liam Neeson’s Non-Stop, which was a thrill ride from start to finish so, if you liked that movie, Hijacking should be on your watch list.
Release: June 2024
13. Wonderland
Cast: Park Bo-gum, Bae Suzy, Jung Yu-mi, Choi Woo-shik, Gong Yoo, Tang Wei.
What it’s about: A virtual reality world allows people to meet and communicate with their deceased loved ones or someone they may never see again. With the help of artificial intelligence, a young woman enters the world to meet her lover who fell into a coma.
Why you should watch it: Wonderland will be a tear-jerker to watch that tackles AI and death. It’s a melding of emotions as the characters are given a chance to hold onto their loved one, but it will be interesting to see how the movie plays out in terms of having people learn to let go.
Release: June 5, 2024
14. Seeking the King
Cast: Koo Kyo-hwan, Yoo Jae-myung, Seohyun, Park Ye-rin, Park Myung-hoon, Yu Seong-ju.
What it’s about: Kim Do-jin is a military doctor in a Demilitarized Zone who stumbles upon a giant robotic entity in the summer of 1980. It just so happens all this occurred during one of the most tragic eras in Korean history.
Why you should watch it: Actor Koo Kyo-hwan is known for his displays of emotion on screen. His role in Seeking the King will meld perfectly with the storyline of humanity meeting something they aren’t prepared for amid historical turmoil.
Release: Summer 2024
15. Escape
Cast: Lee Je-hoon, Koo Kyo-hwan, Hong Xa-bin.
What it’s about: Im Kyu-nam is a North Korean soldier who wants to start a new life in South Korea. But the only way to get there is by fleeing and crossing the Demilitarized Zone. His journey won’t be easy as he’s being chased by Officer Ri Hyun-sang of the State Security Department of North Korea.
Why you should watch it: Lee Je-hoon is no stranger to starring in projects that require heavy emotion. If his K-drama roles in Taxi Driver, Signal, and Move to Heaven are any examples, Escape will be one of his greatest on-screen works.
Release: July 2024
16. Love in The Big City
PlusMCast: Kim Go-eun and Steve Noh
What it’s about: Jae-hee is always at the center of gossip and rumors, while Heung-soo tries to keep his sexual orientation a secret. One day, Jae-hee uncovers his secret in the back alley of a hotel. Contrary to what he thinks, Jae-hee keeps his secret and the pair move in together as they venture to find love.
Why you should watch it: Love in the Big City will be a movie to watch for fans who want a storyline of unsuspecting friendship and self-growth. The two characters will likely find solace in each other and form an unbreakable bond.
Release: 2024
17. Revolver
PlusMCast: Ji Chang-wook, Lim Ji-yeon, and Jeon Do-yeon
What it’s about: Soo-young is a police detective who went to jail for someone else. Upon her release, she learns her promised compensation is gone and a woman named Yoon-sun comes to collect her. Soo-young plans to get what she’s owed by going after the man responsible for putting her away.
Why you should watch it: Revolver has just the right cast to make for a powerful action movie. Ji blew fans away in The Worst of Evil as an undercover mobster, with Lim praised for The Glory. Actor Jeon proved her abilities in a dark and gritty action with Kill Boksoon.
Release: 2024
18. Bogota City of the Lost
PlusMCast: Song Joong-ki, Lee Hee-joon and Kwon Hae-hyo.
What it’s about: In the 1990s, Guk-hee and his family moved to Bogota for a better life, but it only led to them living poorly. Now Guk-hee is determined to climb the ladder and take over the black market in Bogota.
Why you should watch it: Movies that tackle crime and the black market usually make for a good watch. Bogota City of the Lost will be led by Song and promises to deliver in terms of tension and drama as the main characters risk their lives as they vie for power.
Release: 2024
19. Night Heat
PlusMCast: Lee Hye-ri, Woo Do-hwan, and Jang Dong-gun
What it’s about: Baek Do-joon is tasked with a mission to Thailand on a dangerous drug case. Intertwined in the story is Tae Gang, a former professional boxer working as a debt collector for a large organization. Former girl group member Ah Ri is now a dancer and gets caught up in a dangerous world while trying to survive in Bangkok.
Why you should watch it: If you “if you liked/loved Bloodhounds Bloodhounds, then Woo Do-hwan’s role in Night Heat should be on your list of movies to watch. The actor blew fans away with his role as a boxer who hunts down a criminal organization. Coming off the K-drama, the actor’s role in Night Heat piques interest.
Release: 2024
20. Mission: Cross
Cast: Hwang Jung-min, Yum Jung-ah, Jeon Hye-jin.
What it’s about: A former special forces officer leaves his action-packed life behind and becomes a househusband. His wife happens to be a detective in the violent crimes unit. Their peaceful world gets shaken up when an old ex-colleague of his shows up.
Why you should watch it: Mission: Cross is the fun yet dangerous storyline of a skilled agent’s peaceful life going to shambles. It will be interesting to see how the events unfold and how the male lead’s marriage holds up to a new reality.
Release: 2024
21. Pavane for a Dead Princess
PlusMCast: Go Ahn-sung, Byun Yo-han, and Moon Sang-min
What it’s about: The movie focuses on the story of an unattractive woman and a man who loves her as they both embark on a journey of growth in a coming-of-age story.
Why you should watch it: While not much is known about Pavane, its premise is unique. It’s a feel-good movie about love and growth amid life’s challenges.
Release: 2024
22. Hope
Cast: Hwang Jung-min, Jo In-sung, Jung Ho-yeon, Alicia Vikander, Michael Fassbender
What it’s about: A mysterious discovery on a outskirts of the town leads its residents in a fight for survival. While the movie will predominantly be in Korean, Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender star as a married couple speaking English.
Why you should watch it: Hope is a must-watch simply to see how well the movie does. It has a star-studded cast of Korean actors alongside two Hollywood A-listers. Vikander and Fassbender are known for action-driven projects, with Hope being their first with a predominant Korean cast.
Release: 2024
23. The Great Flood
NetflixCast: Kim Da-mi, Park Hae-soo, Kim Kyu-na
What it’s about: A disastrous flood takes over the earth, forcing An-na and Hee-zo to fight for their lives. But Hee-zo has his own reasons for wanting to save An-na, while their situation is complicated when they rescue a child.
Why you should watch it: Netflix has done a good job at producing quality Korean movies, so The Great Flood will probably be another addition to its collection. The movie’s storyline will tackle how humans survive in the face of danger, but with an added mystery of why An-na is important.
Release: 2024
24. Officer Black Belt
NetflixCast: Kim Woo-bin and Kim Sung-kyun
What it’s about: Lee Jung-do is an ordinary delivery driver for his father’s restaurant who likes to hang out with his friends and play video games. But, he’s also a prodigy in taekwondo, kendo, and judo. One day, he helps a martial arts officer who’s being attacked by a criminal on probation. Tasked with filling in for the officer, Jung-do becomes partners with Kim Sun-min.
Why you should watch it: Since Black Knight, Kim Woo-bin has what it takes to meld Jung-do’s carefree demeanor tied with his martial arts proficiency. The movie itself will see a character find a new purpose and a friendship with his partner.
Release: 2024
25. Uprising
Cast: Gang Dong-won, Park Jeong-min, Cha Seung-won, Kim Shin-rok, Jin Seon-kyu, Jung Sung-il.
What it’s about: Set during the Japanese invasion of Korea, two childhood friends become adversaries. Cheon Yeong is a slave with remarkable martial prowess who struggled to break free of his unjust servitude. Jong-ryeo is his master and scion of one of the most influential families. They soon find themselves clashing during a tumultuous time after the war.
Why you should watch it: Uprising is for fans of a good period piece drenched in the turmoil of politics, betrayal, and death. The movie will depict how two characters either see each other as enemies or realize a bigger issue at stake after the war.
Release: 2024
While keeping tabs on all the Korean movies releasing this year, you can also check out our guide to K-dramas coming to Netflix this year.