Korean cinema has remained a popular choice over the years, attracting consumers at home and abroad. This year was no exception, Whether they are influential art films or contemporary commercial films, Korean films are inimitable. They can be graphic, dramatic, romantic, gory, gruesome, hilarious, melancholic, queer or whatever, but they always feature originality and deft storytelling, not to mention high production standards.
In the field of cinema, Korean films are an undeniably popular choice, consistently staying at the top of the game and attracting consumers at home and abroad. This year was no different. Here is a list of 10 Korean movies of 2022 that are the best of the lot.
10. Carter
Helmed by director Jung Byung-gil, the film takes place during a deadly epidemic caused by a virus that originated in the Korean Demilitarized Zone and its victims are savages and zombies. In the opening scene, we see a man (Joo Won) waking up in a hotel room in Seoul with no memory of who he is or why he is there. Carter is his name and if he wants to survive he must follow her instructions, a female voice that only he can hear says in his ear.
What follows is a harrowing whirlwind of brutal mayhem and fight scenes that Joo Won executes flawlessly. Special recognition for his outstanding sporting performance. Despite some criticism for its graphic violence, I believe Carter has created a riveting action thriller.
9. Seoul Vibe
Seoul Vibe is a fun mix of comedy and action, following the Sanggye-dong Supreme Team drivers as they become involved in a VIP slush fund survey when a car chase breaks out during the 1988 Seoul Olympics and they accept a lucrative offer.
Yoo Ah-in is phenomenal as team leader Park Dong-wook. Regardless of the role he plays, his characters are always spot on. I loved the film’s vintage aesthetic, the portrayal of camaraderie, hilarity and adrenaline all combined to make it a must-see. There’s never a dull moment, and that’s especially true given the extremely awesome driving maneuvers. Using retro fashion, soulful music and endearing characters, director Moon Hyun-sung expertly weaves nostalgia into the atmosphere of Seoul.
8. Hansan: Rising Dragon
It’s a deftly shot, riveting film centered on a deftly rendered epic naval battle – the historic Battle of Hansan – that took place five years before the Battle of Myeongnyang and is depicted in its sequel, Admiral: Roaring Currents.
In 1592, the Japanese fleet and its powerful battleships face Admiral Yi Sun-sin (Hae Il-park) and his forces. While the Korean soldiers lie in ruins, the admiral uses his common weapon, the “Geobukseon” (a large Korean warship used by the Royal Korean Navy during the Joseon Dynasty) to try to change the course of this titanic navy. battle.
This stunning magnum opus by Kim Han-min is packed with breathtaking imagery. As of November 12, 2022, the Korean Film Board announced that Hansan – the recipient of numerous nominations and awards – was the second highest-grossing Korean film of the year.
7. Alienoid
Writer and director Choi Dong-hoon has created an incredibly beautiful spectacle that is painstakingly crafted with VFX and CGI. In Alienoid, gurus in the late Goryeo era are trying to retrieve a legendary sacred weapon, while humans in the present day are hunting an alien prisoner who has been trapped in a human body. The parties come into contact when a time-traveling door is unlocked.
The Korean blockbuster is incredibly inventive, despite the fact that its plot threads intertwine in different eras.
6. Hunt
Hunt is a fast paced spy film set in the 1980’s National Security Planning following the assassination of President Park in 1980, two high-ranking security operatives are tasked with tracking down an infiltrator.
Hunt is Lee Jung-jae’s feature directorial debut, starring Lee and Jung Woo-sung. He was invited to several prestigious international film festivals, where he was praised by critics and audiences. The action moments are exciting and the setting is fantastic for a period piece. Hunt is also a great political machinations thriller with brilliant cast, plot, production values and cinematography.
5. Love and Leashes
Jung Ji-hoo (Lee Jun-young aka Jun) and Jung Ji-woo (Seo Ju-hyun aka Girls’ Generation’s Seo-hyun) have an unexpected romance due to an unforeseen event. Ji-hoo is well known for having a poker face and being icy at work, but his female colleagues adore him. One day, Ji-hoo’s delivery package accidentally ends up in Ji-woo’s hands; he opens it to reveal one of his fantasies. A deal ensues, sparking a passionate romance between the characters as they embark on a journey of joy through pain.
Hyeon-jin Park’s Love and Leashes is amazing because it subtly captures the dom-sub relationship and the BDSM scene. It informs us how to embrace and pursue our desires without fear of rejection. Dialogues like this will undoubtedly make you wonder how the plot will proceed: “Isn’t there at least one secret desire in your heart that you won’t admit?
4. Broker
A broker could be described as a highly emotional environment. The story centers on people connected to baby boxes that allow babies to be discreetly dropped off and cared for by others.
In the illegal adoption market, two brokers, Sang-hyeon (Song Kang-ho) and Dong-soo (Gang Dong-won), steal and sell children. But when So-young (Lee Ji-eun or IU), a mother who abandoned her child, comes looking for a family to raise the child, she meets the men and decides to search with them.
Filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda conveys a bittersweet story in Broker, a deeply heartwarming comedy that will also bring you to tears. It’s understandable why Broker has been hailed as one of the best films of 2022 and has rightly won a number of prestigious awards.
3. The Roundup
In this action thriller, Ma Seok-do (Ma Dong-seok as a beast cop) and his violent crime squad engage in a spectacular brawl. Ma travels to Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City to extradite the perpetrators. Upon arrival, he learns of a series of murders committed by the ruthless killer Kang Hae-sung (Son Seok-koo), who has been killing Korean tourists in Vietnam for some time. Ma and his team begin an investigation and follow the trail of blood left by Kang.
The Roundup is this year’s big hit with tons of awards. It has all the ingredients you’re looking for: thrilling action, an interesting story, top-notch acting and a damn good action hero.
2. Decision to Leave
While investigating the death of a man in the mountains, detective Jang Hae-jun (Park Hae-il) falls in love with the deceased’s seductive widow, Song Seo-rae (Tang Wei), in Park Chan-wook’s masterpiece The Decision to Leave. Jang becomes embroiled in desire and betrayal as he digs deeper into the murder case.
The megahit, which is also the eighth highest-grossing Korean film of 2022, has received much acclaim. It is a true testament to the extraordinary storytelling genius of director Park. He skillfully combines romance, excitement, betrayal and desire throughout the narrative. Watch this movie if you haven’t, and if you have, watch it again. The solid acting and cinematography in Deciding to Leave add much more grandeur to the Korean noir-thriller genre.
1. 20th Century Girl
As a stand-in for her best friend Yeon-du (Roh Yoon-seo), who is hopelessly in love with a boy named Baek Hyun-jin (Park Jung-woo), a teenage girl named Na Bo-ra (Kim Yoo-jung) keeps her eye on on a boy at school. However, when she crosses paths with Poong Woon-ho (Byeon Woo-seok), Hyun-jin’s best friend, she finds herself quickly involved in romance.
The film takes place in 1999 and is a comedy of errors with a poignant undertone. It came as a pleasant surprise during senior year. Its cast, acting, description of events, twists, romance, grief – everything is professionally done. Using a warm color scheme to capture the tenderness, innocence, nostalgia, and excitement of first love in high school, 20th Century Girl writer and director Bang Woo-ri created absolutely unforgettable moments and characters. I consider this movie to be the absolute best of the year.