20+ Best Korean Crime Thriller Movies You Should Definitely Watch

So the only thing which frequently comes to our mind when we say Korea is Gangnam Style video of Psy and Kim Jong. But then there is one amazing thing about Korea which is their Film Industry. And now we have a list of Best (both old and new) Korean Crime Thriller Movies for you to watch this weekend!

Best Korean Crime Thriller Movies

If you are reading this article, and if you don’t know Korean language, then don’t worry, you’ll find English subtitles (or dubbed) for almost all the movies since they are popular. You can even watch some of them online (streaming) via YouTube, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Netflix easily. You can also download them for offline viewing.

1. Joint Security Area (2000) | Gongdong gyeongbi guyeok JSA

At Korean Demilitarized Zone, two North Korean soldiers are shot. And then the blame games and investigation begin between two countries. To get to the bottom of the event, an investigation panel under Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission is set up to understand what exactly happened that night.

2. Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002) | Boksuneun naui geot

Starring Ha-kyun Shin, this a story about a deaf worker whose sister needs an urgent kidney transplant. He gets in touch with organ trafficking mob, who strike a deal with him. He can sell his kidney to them and get 10 million to get her sister operated. But he has no money to pay for his own surgery. That is when his street-smart girlfriend gives him the idea to kidnap his Boss’s daughter for extortion money. But things turn bad and set him on a path of vengeance.

3. Memories of Murder (2003) | Salinui chueok

A serial murderer is raping female victims by gagging them with their underwear and then torturing them in province of Gyunggi. To catch the serial killers, two stupid but voracious detectives come on board. A third specialized detective, Seo Tae-Yoon joins them. But the lack of judgment makes them miss out on a huge clue which could have solved the murder mystery in minutes. With master execution and fantastic visuals, this movie is one that you should not miss.

4. Silmido (2003)

Based on a true story which revolves around the tension between two countries, North Korea and South Korea. On Simido Island in North Korea, 31 criminals, including some who are on death row, are being trained to get inside North Korea and take revenge from them. But then suddenly, peace talks start happening between two countries which are leading to the elimination of 31 criminals. A revolt breaks out on Island and rest is all history.

5. Oldboy (2003) | Oldeuboi

A man, who leads a regular life with a regular family is kidnapped out of the blue and locked up in a box for 15 years. When he is released, he sets out to find his tormentor who took 15 precious years of his life. The plot? He needs to find his captor within five days! Though some of the scenes in the movie are quite brutal and the rating is given as R.

6. Antarctic Journal (2005) | Namgeuk-ilgi

When even a small mistakes can bring down doom on people. Korean team sets off on an expedition in Antarctic, where they find an 80-year-old lost journal of a British Expedition party. Initial days went smoothly, but then strange incidents, resembling the events recorded in the journal, start happening around them. The movie is based on more psychological facts which make it a good watch.

7. Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (2005) | Chinjeolhan geumjassi

Lee Guem-ja serves 13 years on counts of kidnapping and murder of a 6-year-old. When she is release, she sets on a journey to find the real culprit. She gets support from her daughter and other inmates, but then will these actions help find her solace from the burning fire of vengeance inside her?

8. A Bittersweet Life (2005) | Dalkomhan insaeng

When in Mob, the Boss is always right. But then how can you make a movie when there is no rebellious character? A mobster turns against his Boss, simply to find meaning to his actions. And that’s how a beautiful movie is created with lots of action and gore.

9. A Dirty Carnival (2006) | Biyeolhan geori

What happens when a mobster meets an old friend, who is a director now and wants to make a movie regarding the same subject? Too many beans are spilled, and now the mobster is under the scrutiny of the whole Mob and Investigative authorities.

10. A Bloody Aria (2006) | Guta-yubalja-deul

An aspiring opera singer goes on a day trip with his Professor; mesmerized by her beauty, Professor tries to make advances on her. But she flees, only to be held captive by Forest Thugs along with the Professor. And then they both realize that now they are a part of sadistic mind games of the forest thugs.

11. Voice of a Murderer (2007) | Geu nom moksori

The son of a famous new anchor HAN Kyung-bae is kidnapped. The kidnapper calls the parents for extortion money and gives them direction for the drop facility. The only mistake was that parents informed the police. And police has now assigned a veteran detective against the kidnapper. But the kidnapper outwits investigative authorities at every step, making the plot more amazing!

12. The Chaser (2008) | Chugyeogja

Based on a true serial killer case, the story is about an ex-detective who is now working as a pimp. But the problem in business comes when some of the girls went missing. He realizes that all the missing girls were contacted by the same client with whom one of his girls is going to meet at the same moment. And the movie is so good; there is an American remake of it!

13. Mother (2009) | Madeo

An emotional story with drama at right places including plots and thrilling twists at right moments. A mother’s son, who is mentally challenged, is being roped as a murderer who has killed a teenage girl. Knowing his son too well, the mother sets out to find the real culprit and get his son off from the hooks of law and order.

14. White Night (2009) | Baekyahaeng: Hayan eodoom sokeul geolda

A Pawn Broker is mysteriously found murdered by a Police Detective. Since Police doesn’t find any resistance at the crime scene, they believe that crime was done by one of the acquaintances of the victim. Three people come under suspicion, but due to lack of evidence, the case is not solved. But after one year, one of the suspects dies in the same manner, making the scenarios of the crime more grave. After one year, the lead investigator is about to retire, but with a heavy heart because he is not able to solve the only case of his career.

15. The Yellow Sea (2010) | Hwanghae

A Taxi driver working in China is under a lot of debt, thanks to his gambling problem. His wife leaves him to go and work in South Korea and promises to send him money. But he has not heard from his wife for over a year now, Worried, he goes to South Korea, only to realize that International gangsters including police and local gangs want to have a word with him. But around all this mess, he still needs to look for his wife.

16. The Man from Nowhere (2010) | Ajeossi

One of the most popular movies given to us by Korean Film Industry, the story is about an average Pawn shop owner, who gets into a mess with drug and organ trafficking mob to save his only friend, who is a child. The movie is not just an emotional one, but fully action packed!

17. No Mercy (2010) | Yongseoneun eupda

Not one of the most celebrated film, but one which you should not miss. A forensic pathologist is investigating crimes of a serial killer, who loves to decapitate his victims. Soon the police find a suspect, who doesn’t confess to his crime but is clearly involved some way or the other because Mr.Pathologist’s daughter is missing.

18. I Saw the Devil (2010) | Ang-ma-reul bo-at-da

A secret agent, who is working with South Korean Government, finds his wife brutally tortured and murdered by a serial killer. After extensive research and good connections, he zeroes on one man who he believes that has killed his wife. But he doesn’t take revenge on the spot. He puts the man on slow torture. But comes across a question, is this all really worth it?

19. Moss (2010) | Iggi

A son gets a call from his Father’s village, informing him that his father has expired. Tired of his city life and desperately looking for a break, the son travels to his father’s village to pay his last respects. But then he encounters strange behavior from other villagers and resistance from them. He tries his best to find out the reason for such alienation, but does he become successful in his attempts? And what if the truth is better left unsaid?

20. The Housemaid (2010) | Hanyo

Will you die for love, just to satisfy jealousy? A piano teacher hires one of his students as a housemaid to help around with chores and his wife in sewing orders. But then the housemaid seduces him, and they sleep together, leading to scandalous pregnancy! The housemaid then goes on a spree of jealousy and makes sure to threaten Mr.Pianoist for abortion, to have a family life. But that simply leads to destroying a family.

21. Confession of Murder (2012) | Nae-ga sal-in-beom-i-da

What happens when a serial killer publishes his own autobiography? Lee Du-seok admits to all his crimes that he committed in an autobiography. But now detective Choi has started his investigation again related to Lee’s crimes. Also, father, who is living with the pain of murder of his daughter by Lee, swears vengeance. But there is one more killer to confuse everyone, and an identity crisis occurs as to who is the real killer?

22. Ha-wool-ling (2012)

Starring (Kang-ho Song) and (Na-yeong Lee), the story revolves around a detective who jumps at a murder case to speed up his promotion and partners with a rookie detective to solve it. But the case turns out to be more complicated. When they examine the victim’s body, they realize that the body has bites from either a wolf or a dog. And that’s when the thriller starts giving you goose bumps. A fairly entertaining plot is also highlighting Women’s right issues in Korea.

23. New World (2013) | Sin-se-gae

When the Boss of a crime family dies, a war starts within the family bonded by bullets. Two power groups start fighting amongst each other to take the chair, but then there is a third man, a mole planted by the Police. Who will get the chair? It may sound a little clichéd, but then plots of the movie will leave your thriller buds satisfied.

So we hope you an amazing movie marathon time with the above-listed films. For any great suggestions or movies that we might have missed, please feel free to mention those in the comment sections, we want to make this article the best collection of all time. We will keep on updating you with more Korean latest release! 🙂