30 Must-See Korean Movies of 2023

2023 promises to be a remarkable year for Korean cinema. As the K-wave continues its global domination, filmmakers from the Land of the Morning Calm are not just riding the tide but leading it. This year's lineup ranges from edge-of-your-seat blockbusters to introspective hidden jewels that promise to move the heart and stimulate the mind. Whether you're a seasoned aficionado of K-films or a curious newcomer, this compilation of 46 movies is tailor-made for you. Dive deep into the rich tapestry of narratives, emotions, and cinematic brilliance that 2023 has to offer. Prepare to be enthralled!

Soulmate

Director: Min Yong-Keun
Writers: Kang Hyun-Joo, Min Yong-Keun
Release: March 15, 2023
Runtime: 124 min.
Main Cast:
Kim Da-Mi, Jeon So-Nee, and Byeon Woo-Seok.

Watch the trailer here:

Concrete Utopia

Director: Uhm Tae-Hwa

Writers: Kim Soong-Nyoong (original webcomic), Uhm Tae-Hwa, Lee Shin-Ji
Release Date: August 9, 2023
Runtime: 129 min.
Main Cast:
Lee Byung-Hun, Park Seo-Joon, Park Bo-Young, Kim Sun-Young, and Kim Do-Yoon.

Watch the trailer here:

Smugglers

Director: Ryoo Seung-Wan
Writers: -
Release Date: July 26, 2023
Runtime: -
Main Cast:
Kim Hye-Soo, Yum Jung-Ah, Zo In-Sung, Park Jung-Min, Kim Jong-Soo, Go Min-Si, Kwak Jin-Seok, Lee Do-Goon

Watch the trailer here:

Phantom

Director: Lee Hae-Young
Writer: Lee Hae-Young
Release Date: January 18, 2023
Runtime: 133 min.
Genre: Action
Main Cast:
Sol Kyung-Gu Lee Ha-Nee, Park So-Dam, Park Hae-Soo, and Seo Hyun-Woo

Watch the trailer here:

Kill Boksoon

Director: Byun Sung-Hyun
Writer: Byun Sung-Hyun
World Premiere: February, 2023 (Berlin IFF)
Release Date: March 31, 2023
Main Cast:
Jeon Do-Yeon, Sol Kyung-Gu, Kim Si-A, Esom, Koo Gyo-Hwan

Watch the trailer here:

Ballerina

Director: Lee Chung-Hyeon
Release Date: October 6, 2023
Main Cast:
Jun Jong-Seo, Kim Ji-Hoon, and Park Yoo-Rim

Watch the trailer here:

Unlocked

Director: Kim Tae-Joon
Writer: Akira Shiga (novel), Kim Tae-Joon
Producer: Choi Min-Cheol, Kim Jae-Sun
Release Date: February 17, 2023
Runtime: 117 min.
Main Cast:
Chun Woo-Hee, Im Si-Wan, and Kim Hee-Won

Watch the trailer here:

Ransomed

Director: Kim Sung-Hoon
Writer: Kim Jung-Yeon, Yeo Mi-Jung
Release Date: August 2, 2023
Runtime: 132 min.
Main Cast:
Ha Jung-Woo Ju Ji-Hoon

Watch the trailer here

The Childe

Director: Park Hoon-Jung
Writer: Park Hoon-Jung
Release Date: June 21, 2023
Runtime: 118 min.
Main Cast:
Kim Sun-Ho, Kang Tae-Ju , Kim Kang-Woo, Go Ara, and Jung Lael

Watch the trailer here:

The Roundup - No Way Out

Director: Lee Sang-Yong
Writer: Cha Woo-Jin, Kim Min-Sung
Release Date: May 31, 2023
Runtime: 105 min.
Main Cast:
Ma Dong-Seok, Lee Joon-Hyuk, and Munetaka Aoki

Watch the trailer here

The Point Men

Director: Yim Soonrye
Writer: An Young-Soo
Release Date: January 18, 2023
Runtime: 108 min.
Main Cast:
Hwang Jung-Min and Hyun-Bin

Watch the trailer here:

Believer 2

Director: Baek Jong-Yeol
Writer: Kim Hee-Jin
Producer: Jung Hee-Soon, Song Young-Heon
Release Date: November 17, 2023
Runtime: 114 min.
Main Cast:
Cho Jin-Woong , Cha Seung-Won, Han Hyo-Joo, Oh Seung-Hoon, Kim Dong-Young, and Lee Joo-Young

Watch the trailer here:

30 Days

Director: Nam Dae-Joong
Release Date: October 3, 2023
Main Cast:
Kang Ha-Neul and Jung So-Min

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Gangnam Zombie

Director: Lee Soo-Sung
Writer: Choi Seung-Ho
Release Date: January 5, 2023
Main Cast:
Ji Il-Joo, Park Ji-Yeon, Jo Kyoung-Hoon, and Choi Seong-Min

Watch the trailer here:

Dream

Director: Lee Byeong-Hun
Writer: Lee Byeong-Hun:
Release Date: April 26, 2023
Runtime: 125 min.
Main Cast:
Park Seo Joon and IU (Lee Ji-eun)

Watch the trailer here:

Sleep

Director: Yoo Jae-Sun
Writer: Yoo Jae-Sun
Release Date: September 6, 2023
Runtime: 94 min.
Main Cast:
Jung Yu-Mi and Lee Sun-Kyun

Watch the trailer here:

Cobweb

Director: Kim Jee-Woon
Writer: Shin Youn-Shick, Kim Jee-Woon
Release Date: September 27, 2023

Main Cast:
Song Kang-Ho, Lim Soo-Jung, Oh Jung-Se, Krystal Jung, and Jeon Yeo-Bin

Watch the trailer here:

Target

Director: Park Hee-Kon
Release Date: August 30, 2023
Runtime: 101 min.
Main Cast:
Shin Hye-Sun and Kim Sung-Kyun

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Honey Sweet

Director: Lee Han
Writer: Lee Byeong-Hun
Producer: Yoon Seo-Young
Release Date: August 15, 2023
Runtime: 118 min.
Main Cast:
Yu Hae-Jin, Kim Hee-Seon, and Cha In-Pyo

Watch the trailer here:

Switch

Director: Ma Dae-Yoon
Writer: Ma Dae-Yoon
Producer: Lee Yong-Soo, Kim Jin-Woo
Release Date: January 4, 2023
Runtime: 113 min.
Main Cast:
Kwon Sang-Woo, Oh Jung-Se, Lee Min-Jung, Park So-Yi, and Kim Jun

Watch the trailer here:

Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman

Director: Kim Sung-Sik
Writer: Huretsha (webcomic), Kim Hong-Tae (webcomic)
Release Date: September 27, 2023
Runtime: 98 min.
Main Cast:
Gang Dong-Won, Heo Jun-Ho, and Esom

Watch the trailer here:

Jung_E

Director: Yeon Sang-Ho
Writer: Yeon Sang-Ho
Release Date: January 20, 2023
Runtime: 98 min.
Main Cast:
Kang Soo-Yeon, Kim Hyun-Joo, and Ryoo Kyung-Soo

Watch the trailer here:

The Moon

Director: Kim Yong-Hwa
Writer: Kim Yong-Hwa
Producer: Choi Ji-Sun
Cinematographer: Kim Young-Ho
Release Date: August 2, 2023
Runtime: 129 min.
Main Cast:
Kyung-Gu and Do Kyung-Soo

Watch the trailer here:

Hwaran (Hopeless)

Director: Kim Chang-Hoon
Writer: Kim Chang-Hoon
Release Date: October 11, 2023
Runtime: 124 min.
Main Cast:
Song Joong-Ki, Hong Sa-Bin, and Bibi

Watch the trailer here:

Killing Romance

Director: Lee Won-Suk
Writer: Park Jung-Ye
Release Date: April 14, 2023
Runtime: 107 min.
Main Cast:
Lee Ha-Nee, Lee Sun-Kyun, Gong Myung, Bae Yoo-Ram, and Shim Dal-Gi

Watch the trailer here:

Single Seoul

Director: Park Bum-Soo
Release Date: November 29, 2023
Main Cast:
Lee Dong-Wook, Lim Soo-JungEsom - bestselling author

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Past Lives

Director: Celine Song
Writer: Celine Song
 
Main Cast:
Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, and John Magaro

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Devils

Director: Kim Jae-Hoon
Writer: Kim Jae-Hoon
Release Date: July 5, 2023
Runtime: 106 min.
Main Cast:
Jang Dong-Yoon and Oh Dae-Hwan

Watch the trailer here:

The Assassin

Release Date: Feb 22, 2023
Duration: 1 hr. 41 min.

Main Cast:
Shin Hyun Joon, Lee Moon Shik, and Kim Min Kyung

Watch the trailer here:

Road to Boston

Director: Kang Je-Gyu
Release Date: September 27, 2023
Runtime: 113 min.
Main Cast:
Ha Jung-Woo, Im Si-Wan, and Bae Sung-Woo

Watch the trailer here:

Source: AsianWiki