11 hotly-anticipated Korean movies releasing this year

11 hotly-anticipated Korean movies releasing this year

From murder mysteries and thrillers to dramas and romance — it’s already shaping up to be an excellent year for fans of Korean cinema. Here are all the best Korean movies coming out in 2023 that you need put on your must-watch list.

The Hallyu wave swept the globe in recent years and has now found a permanent spot in the television habits of several generations, be it young or old. This has paved the way for the most unique storylines. And while dramas get the most time in the spotlight, films have also made quite the name for themselves. Take for instance, the critically-acclaimed, wildly popular tale of class differences, Parasite — which went on to bag a dizzyingly large set of awards. Or the action horror Train To Busan, which continues to be one hailed as one of the most unique treatments of the zombie genre.

Last year, titles like 20th Century Girl and Decision To Leave dominated the headlines for their memorable viewing experience. For 2023, the selection is equally eclectic and exciting — albeit dominated by thrillers — ensuring there’s something in store for most everyone. Get your planners out, you’re going to want to pencil in these all-new Korean movies that are set to release sometime in 2023.

Korean movies releasing in 2023 that are on our radar

JUNG_E

Directed by: Sang-ho Yeon

Cast: Kim Hyun-joo, Uhm Ji-won, Ryu Kyung-Soo, Park So-yi, Kang Soo-yeon

Release date: January 20, 2023

Synopsis: In the 22nd Century (year 2194 to be precise) the planet is uninhabitable and humanity survives within man-made shelters. The culprit? Climate change. However, with things constantly in flux, a war ensues within the shelters. And victory depends on discovering a way of cloning the elite leader of the allied forces — Jung Yi (played by Kim Hyun-joo) — into a robot.

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Ballerina

Directed by: Lee Chung-hyeon

Cast: Jeon Jong Seo, Kim Ji Hoon, Park Yoo-Rim

Release date: 2023

Synopsis: Ok-Ju (played by Jung Jong-seo) is quite athletic, having mastered martial arts, sword fighting, and even gunmanship. She’s even worked as a bodyguard. Her friend Min-Hee (played by Park Yoo-rim), meanwhile, is a ballerina. When the former is asked for a favour by the latter, she risks her life and exacts revenge in the most ruthless manner.

Unlocked

Directed by: Kim Tae Joon

Cast: Yim Si-wan, Chun Woo Hee, Kim Hee Won, Kim Ye Won, Park Ho San, Jeon Jin Oh

Release date: February 17, 2023

Synopsis: Na Mi (played by Chun Won Hee) is employed at a startup company and leads an ordinary life. That is until she loses her smartphone to a criminal named Joon Young (played by Yim Si-wan) who threatens people using information stored in their devices. Also in the picture? Detective Ji-man (played by Kim Hee Won) who — in the midst of a murder investigation — finds clues that point to his son Joon Young being the perpetrator.

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Believer 2

Directed by: Baek Jong-Yeol

Cast: Cho Jin-Woong, Cha Seung-Won, Han Hyo-Joo, Oh Seung-Hoon, Kim Dong-Young, Lee Joo-Young

Release date: 2023

Synopsis: In the search for a missing person — named Rak (played by Oh Seung Hoon) — detective Won Ho (Cho Jin Woong) chases after a teacher who happens to be the leader of an infamous drug cartel. The sequel also sees the introduction of new characters, especially Big Sword, who has insights into the said criminal organisation. Expect high-speed chases and an exciting battle at Yongsan Station, Seoul.

The Roundup: No Way Out

Directed by: Lee Sang-yong

Cast: Ma Dong Seok, Lee Joon Hyuk, Aoki Munetaka, Park Ji Hwan, Lee Bum Soo, Kim Min Jae

Release date: 2023

Synopsis: Detective Ma Seok Do (played by Ma Dong Seok) switches from Geumcheon Police Station to the Metropolitan Investigation Team. The mission? To nab Japanese gangsters who have terrorised tourists in Korea for several years. However, along the way he unravels murky murder cases. The third instalment to the popular movie series — this one promises to be exciting.

Kill Bok-Soon

Directed by: Byun Sung-hyun

Cast: Jeon Do-yeon, Sol Kyung-gu, Esom, Koo Kyo-hwan, Kim Si-a, Lee Yeon

Release date: June 2, 2023

Synopsis: Kill Bok Soon (played by Jeon Do-yeon), a single mother who also happens to be a lethal contract killer with a 100 percent success rate, works for M.K Entertainment. She’s been trained by Cha Min-kyu (played by So Kyung-gu), a dangerous person with the power to take everything away from her. She struggles to achieve a work-life balance and just as she’s about to renew her contract, she finds herself in the midst of a situation that will require her to kill or be killed.

The Match

Directed by: Kim Hyung-Joo

Cast: Lee Byung-hun, Yoo Ah-in, Yoo Ah-in, Kim Kang-hoon, Ko Chang-seok

Release date: July 7, 2023

Synopsis: Cho Hun-Hyun (played by Lee Byung-hun) is a Go (an abstract strategy board game) champion. He discovers a gifted, albeit untrained young man called Lee Chang-ho (Yoo Ah-in), in an amateur contest and resolves to help guide him to the professional leagues. However, when the protege turns his back on him, conflicts emerge.

Bargaining (The Point Men)

Directed by: Im Soon Rye

Cast: Hwang Jung-min, Hyun Bin, Kang Ki-young

Release date: January 18, 2023

Synopsis: An extremist terrorist group takes Korean tourists hostage in the Middle East. The Korean government sends in Jae Ho (played by Hwang Jung-min), a skilled diplomat, who asks for cooperation and uses every means possible to free them from captivity. However, these efforts fail, forcing him to work with special agent Dae Sik (Hyun Bin), an expert on the Middle East. Together they navigate tricky deaths and race against time, forging a bond in the process. This Korean movie is based on a true story.

Silence

Directed by: Tae-gon Kim

Cast: Lee Sun Kyun, Joo Ji Hoon, Kim Hee Won

Release date: 2023

Synopsis: This new Korean movie dropping in 2023 follows a group of people who are isolated on an airport bridge in the midst of a thick fog. To add to the difficulties, the said structure is about to collapse, with threats lurking at every corner.

Phantom

Directed by: Lee Hae-young

Cast: Sol Kyung-gu, Lee Hanee, Park So-dam, Park Hae-soo, Seo Hyun-woo

Release date: January 18, 2023

Synopsis: This storyline takes viewers back to the early 1900s, during the Japanese colonisation of Korea. A failed attempt to assassinate the new resident general by an underground anti-Japanese organisation brings up five suspects. This includes Junji Murayama (played by Sol Kyung-gu) a former soldier and current police officer as well as Park Cha-Kyung (played by Lee Hanee) who works in the department that records cryptograms. They’re all brought to a hotel on a seaside cliff to discover which is the infamous “phantom,” a spy who’d eluded the authorities. Trapped and desperate to be freed, those under observation need to use their wits as well as skills of investigation to clear themselves of blame.

Gangnam Zombie

Directed by: Lee Soo-seong

Cast: Ji Il-joo, Park Ji-yeon, Cho Kyung-hun, Choi Seong-min, Lee Joo-jeong, Tak Teu-in

Release date: January 5, 2023

Synopsis: Hyun Suk (played by Ji Il-Joo) finds himself trapped in the office when zombies swarm Gangnam in Seoul. Also in the picture? Min Jung (Park Yi Jeon), a righteous, brave woman who always speaks up against injustice. The two attempt to break out of the building while keeping themselves (and each other) alive.

Which of these Korean movies releasing in 2023 do you most look forward to watching?

This story first appeared on Lifestyle Asia Singapore

(Main and Featured image: Netflix)