- By Ridhi Suri
- Thu, 18 Apr 2024 04:03 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Best Korean Thriller Movies On OTT: It's no secret that Korean cinema delivers top-notch quality, evident from acclaimed works like the Oscar-winning Parasite and the globally popular Squid Game. From gripping spy thrillers and supernatural mysteries to captivating sci-fi flicks and thought-provoking narratives, Korean cinema offers a diverse range of thrillers to cater to every taste. But, if you haven't explored Korean thriller movies yet, you're truly missing out.
Explore the best Korean thriller movies including Oldboy, Unlocked, Yaksha: Ruthless Operations to Train to Busan on Netflix, Hotstar and Amazon Prime Video, that are guaranteed to leave you spellbound.
Oldboy (Amazon Prime Video)
A contemporary masterpiece, Park Chan-wook's Oldboy is an exceptionally violent and gripping tale of vengeance. The storyline revolves around Oh Dae-Su (portrayed by Choi Min-sik), a man who is released after being kidnapped and confined for 15 years. Driven by a desire for revenge against his captors, Oh Dae-Su embarks on a relentless pursuit to uncover the identity of the person responsible, uncovering shocking truths in the process.
Unlocked (Netflix)
It is South Korean psychological thriller film released in 2023, marking Kim Tae-joon's directorial debut. The cast includes Chun Woo-hee, Yim Si-wan, and Kim Hee-won. The protagonist, Lee Na-Mi, works as a marketer in a startup while also assisting at her father's café, Cafe Mizi. Her life takes a dark turn when she loses her smartphone on a bus, which is found by Oh Jun-Yeong (Yim Si-Wan). Using a fake voice app, Jun-Yeong tricks Na-Mi into revealing her password, installing spyware on her phone under the guise of fixing it.
Train to Busan (Amazon Prime Video)
Action horror film directed by Yeon Sang-ho, casts Gong Yoo, Jung Yu-mi, Ma Dong-seok, Kim Su-an, Choi Woo-shik, Ahn So-hee, and Kim Eui-sung. Set mostly on a KTX train from Seoul to Busan, the movie depicts a sudden zombie apocalypse that threatens the passengers' safety. 'Train to Busan' spawned a film series, starting with the animated prequel 'Seoul Station' in 2016 and a standalone sequel titled 'Peninsula' in 2020. Additionally, another installment and an American-produced adaptation are currently in development.
The Witch: Part 1 – The Subversion (Amazon Prime Video)
Featuring Kim Da Mi, Jo Min Su, Park Hee Soon, and Choi Woo Shik in unprecedented roles, this action-packed sci-fi mystery thriller revolves around a high school student with amnesia whose life takes a dark turn when she encounters a mysterious individual. Unaware of a past accident that caused multiple fatalities, she finds herself entangled in a dangerous web of secrets.
Hunt (Amazon Prime Video)
Lee Jung Jae showcased his directorial prowess with the captivating debut film 'Hunt,' which garnered multiple Baeksang Award nominations. Among these were nods for Best Film, Best Director (Lee Jung Jae), Best Actor (Jung Woo Sung), and Best New Actress (Go Youn Jung). The thriller delves into three significant historical events in 1980s Korea: the Gwangju Massacre, North Korean pilot Lee Woong-pyung's defection, and the Rangoon bombing. Set against this backdrop, the espionage mystery follows two adept NIS agents on a mission to uncover a North Korean spy within their ranks, known as Donglim, who poses a threat to the South Korean President's life.
Yaksha: Ruthless Operations (Netflix)
A 2022 South Korean spy action film helmed by director Na Hyeon. Featuring Sol Kyung-gu and Park Hae-soo in leading roles, the story unfolds in Shenyang, China. It centers on the leader of a covert black ops team within an espionage agency and a prosecutor who finds himself demoted to the same agency.
Night in Paradise (Amazon Prime Video)
Korean neo-noir crime film penned and directed by Park Hoon-jung, features Uhm Tae-goo, Jeon Yeo-been, and Cha Seung-won in the lead roles. The narrative revolves around Tae-gu, a gangster who rejects an offer to switch allegiances with his rival Bukseong gang, led by Chairman Doh. In retaliation, Tae-gu's sister and niece are tragically murdered, compelling him to seek vengeance by ruthlessly eliminating Chairman Doh and his associates before seeking refuge in Jeju Island. There, he crosses paths with Jae-yeon, a terminally ill woman, and her arms dealer uncle, Kuto.
Believer 2 (Netflix)
South Korean action crime film helmed by Baek Jong-yul, serves as a sequel to the 2018 hit 'Believer,' the film features Cho Jin-woong, Cha Seung-won, Han Hyo-joo, Oh Seung-hoon, Kim Dong-young, and Lee Joo-young in prominent roles. The storyline follows Won-ho's relentless pursuit to locate 'Rak,' who vanished following Brian's incarceration, all while delving into the heart of the enigmatic drug cartel.