Korean action films

A list of Korean flicks (of various genres, but with strong action elements,) worthy of your time.

Notes: no particular order; maybe some rare gems among the sine qua nons; I've not seen every single South Korean film ever made!

Over 9000 Jun 18, 2020
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  • Bar Legend

    1. Bar Legend

    Korean Movie - 2006

    9.0

    (Also known as, Three Fellas) A true classic!

  • Arahan

    2. Arahan

    Korean Movie - 2004

    An excellent wuxia/fantasy flick that really did deserve a sequel.

  • The Man from Nowhere

    3. The Man from Nowhere

    Korean Movie - 2010

    9.5

    If you haven't seen it already...

  • Fighter in the Wind

    4. Fighter in the Wind

    Korean Movie - 2004

    A Korean take on a Sonny Chiba film that's totally different and, dare I say it...? A whole lot better!

  • Volcano High School

    5. Volcano High School

    Korean Movie - 2001

    8.5

    Out there... but great entertainment.

  • The Divine Move

    6. The Divine Move

    Korean Movie - 2014

    9.0

    The tone's a little off in places,  but you can overlook it for the sheer entertainment.

  • Extreme Job

    7. Extreme Job

    Korean Movie - 2019

    8.0

    Hikarious and butt-kicking. What more do you want?

  • The Divine Move 2: The Wrathful

    8. The Divine Move 2: The Wrathful

    Korean Movie - 2019

    7.0

    A worthy, stand-alone sequel to a tremendous film.

  • The Warriors

    9. The Warriors

    Korean Movie - 2001

    10

    Titled, Musa the Warrior, on my DVD, this is probably one of my all-time favourite films.

  • The Villainess

    10. The Villainess

    Korean Movie - 2017

    7.0

    She kicks arse!

  • 2009: Lost Memories

    11. 2009: Lost Memories

    Korean Movie - 2002

    6.5
  • A Special Lady

    12. A Special Lady

    Korean Movie - 2017

    7.0

    Not so special a film, but you could see plenty that are worse... and by a lot.

  • Rough Cut

    13. Rough Cut

    Korean Movie - 2008

    7.0

    A gangster wants to fight an action film star... for real.

  • A Company Man

    14. A Company Man

    Korean Movie - 2012

    7.0

    I quit!

  • Commitment

    15. Commitment

    Korean Movie - 2013

    6.5

    Probably for the younger crowd.

  • Silmido

    16. Silmido

    Korean Movie - 2003

    Could it have been more? What's shocking is the idea behind it (apparently based on real events).

  • The Admiral: Roaring Currents

    17. The Admiral: Roaring Currents

    Korean Movie - 2014

    9.0

    I cannot recommend this film highly enough!

  • Soo

    18. Soo

    Korean Movie - 2007

    Some highlights, but otherwise, this one just about claws its way into this list.

  • The Target

    19. The Target

    Korean Movie - 2014

    Personally, I wouldn't really recommend it, but my friends thought it was great.

  • No Mercy for the Rude

    20. No Mercy for the Rude

    Korean Movie - 2006

  • Better Tomorrow Than Today

    21. Better Tomorrow Than Today

    Korean Movie - 2015

    The pointless remake of a classic you don't need to see, but you will just because of John Woo and Chow Yun Fat's superb original.

  • Old Boy

    22. Old Boy

    Korean Movie - 2003

    9.0

    Because, like, The Man From Nowhere, it simply belongs on lists.

  • The Berlin File

    23. The Berlin File

    Korean Movie - 2013

    7.0

    Pretty intense throughout.

  • Confidential Assignment 1

    24. Confidential Assignment 1

    Korean Movie - 2017

    7.0

    Very enjoyable while it lasts.

  • The Thieves

    25. The Thieves

    Korean Movie - 2012

    9.0

    Damn, I loved this flick!

  • Believer

    26. Believer

    Korean Movie - 2018

    5.5

    As good as, and thankfully, different to, the Johnnie To original (Drug War).

  • War of the Arrows

    27. War of the Arrows

    Korean Movie - 2011

    7.5

    Cool.

  • The Divine Weapon

    28. The Divine Weapon

    Korean Movie - 2008

    If you're in the mood for swords and you've seen all the better ones already...

  • The Great Battle

    29. The Great Battle

    Korean Movie - 2018

    A shame that the tone's off, as it could have been truly amazing.

  • Train to Busan

    30. Train to Busan

    Korean Movie - 2016

    6.5

    I don't like zombie films but everyone in the room enjoyed it.

  • Two Guys

    31. Two Guys

    Korean Movie - 2004

    Pretty funny.

  • Public Enemy

    32. Public Enemy

    Korean Movie - 2002

    Off-beat. Watch it and make up your own mind.

  • Open City

    33. Open City

    Korean Movie - 2008

    "You've gotta pick a pocket or two, boy / You've gotta pick a pocket or two" (sorry, I couldn't resist).

  • Yesterday

    34. Yesterday

    Korean Movie - 2002

    6.5

    Overly ambitious but since when has that been a bad thing?

  • Marine Boy

    35. Marine Boy

    Korean Movie - 2009

    7.0

    Aquatic gangster flick.

  • Geochilmaru

    36. Geochilmaru

    Korean Movie - 2005

    7.5

    Painfully under-rated. Especially recommended to martial arts pracitioners.

  • The Chaser

    37. The Chaser

    Korean Movie - 2008

    9.5

    One of the best Korean films ever made.

  • Natural City

    38. Natural City

    Korean Movie - 2003

    7.0

    Korean Bladerunner... kind of.

  • A Bittersweet Life

    39. A Bittersweet Life

    Korean Movie - 2005

    7.0

    A classic for a reason.

  • Crying Fist

    40. Crying Fist

    Korean Movie - 2005

    Long before that American UFC film and a hell of a lot better.

  • Wild Card

    41. Wild Card

    Korean Movie - 2003

    7.5

    Amazing... and criminally obscure.

  • The City of Violence

    42. The City of Violence

    Korean Movie - 2006

    8.0

    Relentless action. Oh, and Baseball Furies!

  • The Front Line

    43. The Front Line

    Korean Movie - 2011

    "War, huh, come on yeah / What is it good for?"

  • Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War

    44. Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War

    Korean Movie - 2004

    Emotional.

  • Confession of Murder

    45. Confession of Murder

    Korean Movie - 2012

    9.0

    Do not read reviews - a spoiler will ruin this entirely!

  • Hwayi: A Monster Boy

    46. Hwayi: A Monster Boy

    Korean Movie - 2013

    7.0

    A frightening concept.

  • The Host

    47. The Host

    Korean Movie - 2006

    9.0

    Best monster film ever?

  • Rampant

    48. Rampant

    Korean Movie - 2018

    7.5

    Much better than the overly similar Korean TV series.

  • The Good, the Bad, the Weird

    49. The Good, the Bad, the Weird

    Korean Movie - 2008

    6.5

    Korean western?

  • Veteran

    50. Veteran

    Korean Movie - 2015

    Top film!

  • A Dirty Carnival

    51. A Dirty Carnival

    Korean Movie - 2006

    8.0

    Do Korean gangsters really all fight tae kwon do style?

  • The Suspect

    52. The Suspect

    Korean Movie - 2013

    7.5
  • Sword in the Moon

    53. Sword in the Moon

    Korean Movie - 2003

    Wuxia from Korea.

  • Daisy

    54. Daisy

    Korean Movie - 2006

    8.0

    Cute and quirky with an action-packed ending.  Why were there never more films like this?

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