I know there are times when we don’t feel like watching a K-drama because a 16-hour or more commitment is too much for our lives, so that’s where you should consider watching Korean movies, which are as good or better than K-dramas!
Or if you’re new to Korean films and don’t know what to watch next, Don’t worry, I got you! I have watched hundreds of Korean films and would love to help you find out which film is perfect for you!
KOCOWA has added a lot of new movies in addition to the launching of KOCOWA+, and you know what’s the best thing about this? It means that you can now watch movies on KOCOWA in addition to Korean dramas, variety shows, and other content types!
Healing Film
When life gets overwhelming, and we can’t take another minute of frustrating makjangs, a healing movie is all that we need. One of the most therapeutic movies I’ve seen is “Little Forest,” starring Kim Tae Ri and Ryu Jun Yeol.
“Little Forest” is a story about a young woman who returns to her childhood home, a traditional Korean village in the countryside, after going to Seoul to follow her dreams. It’s a coming-of-age film that helps you find happiness and peace in yourself.
The beauty, serenity, and curative nature of the film are what I appreciate the most, and the fact that viewing it will make you hungry for Korean cuisine is a bonus, as that is one of the film’s central themes.
Mystery Thriller Film
To all mystery thriller lovers like me, there’s this one movie that surprised me last year and it’s Kim Kang Woo and Seo Yea Ji’s “Recalled,” a story about a woman who had a car accident and couldn’t remember anything afterward. When her jumbled recollections force her to confront the truth about her husband, the film takes on a more serious tone.
The unexpected turn in the plot kept me riveted throughout the entire film. Even if you think you know what happens halfway through the film, you won’t!
Heist Film
If there’s one thing the Koreans excel at, it’s making heist movies. One of the most intriguing heists I’ve seen is in “Pipeline,” starring Seo In Guk, Lee Soo Hyuk, Bae Da Bin, and Eun Moon Suk.
We’re used to seeing heists involving gold, artifacts, or money, but in this case, a genius oil drilling engineer has his sights set on stealing oil and has devised a test to see if he can pull off the seemingly impossible heist. The fact that we got to see the hot leads, Seo In Guk and Lee Soo Hyuk, is one of my favorite things about this film. It’s hilarious to watch, and the conclusion will leave you utterly stunned.
Black Comedy Crime Film
When it comes to films about crime, this is easily among the best I’ve seen. The combination of black comedy and an all-star cast elevates “Beasts Clawing at Straws” above the norm. Cast members include the legendary Jung Woo Sung, Jeon Do Yeon, Youn Yuh Jung, Bae Seong Woo, Shin Hyun Been, Jin Kyung, Jung Ga Ram, and many more.
“Beasts Clawing at Straws” is a thriller about eight total strangers whose lives become intertwined over the course of the film after they each find a bag of money. The more you watch, the more you’ll realize how interconnected these eight people are. This is the kind of film whose final moments leave you saying, “WOAH!”
Coming of Age Films
These two films I’m going to share with two of my favorite idol actors! “Double Patty,” which stars Red Velvet’s Irene and Shin Seung Ho! This is a coming-of-age story about a young journalist and an athlete who inspire and encourage each other to reach their full potential. The film’s message is so inspiring!
The coming-of-age musical film “The Box,” starring EXO’s Chanyeol, features an outstanding 18-song soundtrack album. The film’s indie vibes and warm, endearing story are what I enjoy most.
Comedy Film
Sometimes all we need is a good laugh, and this fantasy comedy film starring Jinyoung, Park Sung Woong, and Ra Mi Ran is all you need! The protagonist of “The Dude In Me” is about a former gangster and a student who switch bodies. Yes, we’ve seen many similar films, but the cast’s chemistry and the film’s humor make it worth watching.
Romance Films
We can never go wrong with romance because love is all around us! I’ll be recommending three romance films that will either break your heart, make your heart flutter, or BOTH!
“New Year Blues,” starring Kim Kang Woo, Yoo In Na, Yoo Yeon Seok, Lee Yeon Hee, Choi Soo Young, Yoo Teo, and others, is one of my all-time favorite movies. It’s a feel-good romance about four couples celebrating the coming of the new year.
The film’s omnibus structure made for a fantastic viewing experience for me. There are nine main characters, and the way their individual stories are all connected amazed me. The three couples all have different kinds of chemistry!
The second romance film I highly recommend is “On Your Wedding Day,” which stars Park Bo Young and Kim Young Kwang and depicts the ten-year love and friendship of two people from teenager to adulthood.
Many of you have probably already heard about this film, and I can guarantee that by the time you finish it, you will have a much deeper and more profound appreciation for love than you did before.
And the third and last film I’ll be recommending is one of my favorite films of all time. It’s Son Ye Jin and So Ji Sub’s “Be With You,” a fantasy family drama about a mother who miraculously showed up 1 year after her death.
You will laugh, cry, and become emotionally invested in the characters in this film. This isn’t your typical love story because it also highlights the bond between parents and their children. It’s a heartwarming family drama with superb storytelling.
Son Ye Jin and So Ji Sub’s chemistry is probably one of the best I have seen, and I don’t want to speak about the twist and revelation because it might ruin your experience. I’m just saying that “Be With You” is among the very best films of all time, and everyone should see it at least once.
I have a lot more film recommendations, but we’ll save that for another time! In the meantime, you can pick any of my recommendations or you can choose one yourself since KOCOWA features a lot of amazing films!
What was your favorite? Leave us a comment below!
