20 Best Korean Films to Watch and Download

When it comes to crime films and stylish trailers, you'll find few around the world that can compete with South Korea. Before the 1990s, South Korean films were released under strict government censorship. Things gradually began to change after the release of the first non-government-sponsored film, Marriage Story. There is now huge demand for watching Korean movies online. This article lists the best South Korean crime films worth watching. IF you are looking for the best Korean movies, keep reading.

1. Watch and Download Korean Films

Are you looking for Korean crime films? Get them with Vidmate. This app has earned a global name because of its complete collection of movies, TV shows, songs, games, and more. You can easily download this app from the official website and stay secure, as the app is trusted by millions of users around the world. Here are some steps to download Korean films via this platform.

Step 1: Download Vidmate app from the official website and open it.

Get Video DownloaderGet VidMate

Step 2: Type any phrase into the search bar, or you can type the name of the Korean film.

Step 3: Click the film you want to stream online and start watching it.

Step 4: To download the film, click the download option located below the film screen.

Step 5: Again, click the download option, choose the desired resolution, and save the film to your phone.

2. Top 10 Korean Crime Films

1. The Berlin File (Seung-Wan Ryoo, 2013)

From its name, the film is set outside Korea. The plot takes place in Berlin. It's enjoyable to watch because of its expansive action scenes. Here, Jong-Seong is a North Korean agent whose cover is blown and he is exposed when an illegal arms deal fails.

2. Montage (Jeong Geun-Seop, 2013)

The film's plot concerns the kidnapping of a girl 15 years ago who was never found. Things change when someone places flowers at the crime scene only a few days before the statute of limitations expires. Only the girl's mother, the detective handling the case, and the kidnapper himself know the location.

3. I Saw The Devil (Kim Jee-Woon, 2010)

The plot centers on Kyung Chul, who is a serial killer. He murders Joo-Yun on a snowy night and does not realize that the victim's father is a police commander and her boyfriend is an agent of the National Intelligence Service determined to track down the killer and make him pay.

4. Mother (Joon-Ho Bong, 2009)

The film follows Do-joon, a shy, mentally slow young man in his early twenties who lives with his overprotective mother. Do-joon is often seen with Jin-Tae, whom his mother views as a bad influence. One day a girl is found murdered, and circumstantial evidence leads the police to Do-joon.

5. Breathless (Ik-Joon Yang, 2008)

The story revolves around Song-Hoon, a local loan-shark enforcer. His personality could be called anger personified. He's extremely effective at his job—constantly swearing, abrasive, brutal, and coarse. He's someone you can't mess with, and he'll take anyone down for the smallest reason.

6. Sympathy For Lady Vengeance (Chan-Wook Park, 2005)

Lee Geum-Ja was convicted of kidnapping and murdering a boy when she was in her twenties. The case became a media circus because of her age and innocent appearance. Many people followed her story even after her sentence was reduced to 13 years, during which she became a model prisoner and befriended several inmates.

7. The Chaser (Hong-Jin Na, 2008)

The story follows former cop Jung-Ho, who is now a pimp. He begins to suspect foul play when two of his girls suddenly disappear without paying their debts. Suddenly he receives a call from another girl and sends Mi-Jin, only to discover the number belongs to the same man who had hired the previous girl.

8. Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (Chan-Woo Park, 2002)

The story is based on the life of a fictional character named Ryu, who is deaf and mute. He works in a factory to support his sick sister, who urgently needs a kidney transplant. Because he is not a match and then loses his job, he decides to enter the black-market organ trade.

9. The Yellow Sea (Hong-Jin Na, 2010)

The plot centers on Gu-Nam, a taxi driver in Yanji, a city at the tri-border area between China, Russia, and North Korea. He finds himself in dangerous waters because of gambling debts.

10. New World (Hoon-Jung Park, 2013)

This is a gangster film that depicts a power struggle following the death of a gang leader.

3. Top 10 Rated Korean Movies of the Last 10 Years

1. The man from Nowhere (Jeong-beom Lee, 2010)

The plot centers on Cha Tae Sik, who once served in special forces until his wife and children were forcibly taken from him.

2. Poetry (2010)

Released in 2010, this film follows an elderly woman named Yang Mi Ja who turns to poetry after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

3. The Wailing (2016)

This film tells the story of a small village struck by a wave of strange violence and rage after the arrival of a suspicious stranger. Over time, suspicion and anger escalate into something truly horrifying.

4. Burning (2018)

This film is a love triangle that, as the story unfolds, reveals it is not a simple romantic feature involving Lee Jong-Su, Shin Hae-mi, and Ben.

5. The HandMaiden

Released in 2016, this film portrays a love story between a Korean maid and a young Japanese woman. The plot depicts a tale of deception orchestrated by a wealthy employer.

6. Train To Busan

Released in 2016, it is considered the most emotional and terrifying zombie film released in the last 20 years. The film beautifully explores parenthood, redemption, and the will to survive in the face of death.

7. Parasite

This film is a must-watch and won numerous awards at the 92nd Academy Awards, including Best Original Screenplay, Best Picture, and Best Director. It is one of the best Korean films of 2019.