After the runaway success of Parasite back in 2019, Korean films have finally received the recognition that they deserve. This country has been creating incredible movies for decades, yet many have remained largely undiscovered outside of their home country. If you’re willing to get out to the cinema and explore what’s on offer, then the possibilities for Korean film viewing are endless. However, if you prefer the idea of being able to experience the best of Korean cinema from your sofa then don’t panic, because Netflix has you covered. These are a handful of the best Korean films that you can watch right now, without even leaving your seat.
Parasite
As we’ve already mentioned the success that Parasite had at the 92nd Academy Awards, this film seems a sensible place to start the list. Although the film came out nearly two years ago, it feels as though it’s still today’s news. The film centers around the Kim family, who are struggling to make ends meet. When their son starts working for the Parks, a wealthy family, the Kims wonder if they can all seek employment at the same house. It wouldn’t do to spoil the story for those who are going to watch this film (and you really should!) but suffice to say that the arrangement doesn’t occur without its problems. There has been much debate amongst critics about which category this film falls into. Lovers of horror will find the palpable sense of unease appealing, whilst those who enjoy a dark comedy will struggle to stifle a chuckle at some of the scenes. Begin watching with an open mind and let Bong Joon-ho’s incredible most recent directorial effort astound you.
Tazza: The High Rollers
If you’d like something that’s a little less mentally taxing than Parasite, then head back to 2006 and tune into Tazza: The High Rollers. Directed by Choi Dong-hoon, this film is based on the Tazza comic books by Huh Young-Man that are incredibly popular in South Korea. Tazza: The High Rollers centers around a game that many outside of Korea might not be familiar with called Hwatu. There are plenty of different gaming traditions from around the world, and whilst Baccarat is most widely recognized as the preferred one on the Asian continent, in the case of Korea specifically, Hwatu might be even more popular. The protagonist Go-ni finds himself depressed after losing a game of Hwatu, a game that he considers himself something of an expert at. It takes him a while to lift this fog of depression and realize that he’s actually been cheated. Go-ni goes on a quest to find the person who cheated him and resolves to settle the score once and for all.
Psychokinesis
Superhero movies quite often get dismissed as childish, but Psychokinesis is anything but. This superhero film follows some interesting themes about father-daughter relationships, global corporate powers, and morality. Perhaps best known for Train to Busan, director Yeon Sang-ho has certainly never been one to shy away from difficult subject matters. Whether you find the growing evil of globalization, or the imminent threat of death by zombie more difficult is entirely up to you! Anyway, Psychokinesis features no such zombies, but rather a father who accidentally obtains powers of telekinesis by drinking some questionable spring water. He uses these newfound powers to try to reconnect with his estranged daughter. Together they attempt to overthrow an evil corporation and in the process rekindle their relationship. Whilst there’s no shortage of the action scenes that you would expect from a superhero film, there are some ‘softer’ scenes too. It is really heartening to see such character progression in films of this genre, particularly ones involving dads and daughters. Although we aren’t expecting the next Superman film to end in a daddy-daughter reunion, it would be nice to see more superhero films focusing on the humanity of the characters, as well as their super powers.
