Top 10 Best Korean Movies of 2022

The sequel to the 2014 film The Pirates, The Pirates: The Last Royal Treasure is a 2022 historical adventure. The movie follows a group of pirates on an exciting quest to find a long-lost royal treasure hidden beneath the sea. Set in the Goryeo Dynasty, the pirates face off against BuHeung Su in their pursuit of the treasure. Released in IMAX format on January 26, 2022, coinciding with the Korean New Year holiday, it became the first Korean film in 2022 to surpass 1 million viewers in just 11 days. It went on to become the 8th highest-grossing Korean film of the year.

The film, a follow-up to the popular 2014 hit, takes place in 14th-century Korea and follows a group of anti-heroes. Wu Mu-chi (Kang Ha-neul) and his men, claiming to be 'good pirates', are captured at sea but rescued by pirate captain Hae-rang (Han Hyo-joo from *Happiness*) and her crew. Together, the two groups discover a map to the lost royal treasure and embark on a journey to recover it, battling a band of mercenaries led by the villainous Bu Heung-soo (Kwon Sang-woo).

When it comes to disasters, one of the most terrifying nightmares is a plane hijacking. With no escape and trapped in a small confined space with hundreds of passengers, it’s a breeding ground for fear and panic. This is the setting for the disaster thriller *Emergency Declaration*, written and directed by Han Jae-rim. For about 75% of its runtime, the film explores the depths of human nature when faced with a life-or-death situation, like being stuck on a flight under siege. In this gripping disaster film, authorities investigate a terrorist threat linked to a virus, only to discover the suspect has boarded an international flight bound for the U.S.

The cast includes stars such as Song Kang-ho (from *Parasite*), Lee Byung-hun (from *Squid Game*), and Im Si-wan (from *Run On*). Jin Seok, a disgruntled biologist, holds the passengers of a commercial flight hostage with a deadly virus. While *Emergency Declaration* isn’t based on true events, it still strikes a nerve with its anxious and realistic tone. Written and directed by Han Jae-rim, the film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in July 2021 and was later released in South Korean theaters on August 3, 2022.

The film *Yaksha: Ruthless Operations* is set in Shenyang, China, and follows the leader of a criminal syndicate (Yaksha) and a prosecutor, Han Ji Hoon, who has been demoted to a member of the team. Directed by Na Hyun, *Yaksha: Ruthless Operations* is an action-packed spy thriller where justice is a central theme. Both Yaksha and Ji Hoon have opposing views on how justice should be served.

Park Hae-soo of *Squid Game* and GOT7's Jinyoung star in this action-packed thriller set in northeast China. Former prosecutor Han Ji-hoon (played by Park) has recently been demoted to a legal assistant at the National Intelligence Service (NIS). Working near the North Korean border, he is drawn into a world where spies from North and South Korea, China, Japan, Russia, and even the U.S. are fighting to control government secrets. Yaksha, played by Sol Kyung-gu, is the ruthless NIS agent in the city who recruits Ji-hoon into his team.

The action film *Seoul Vibe* takes place in 1988, during the opening of the Summer Olympics in Seoul. Amid the festivities surrounding the Seoul Olympics, the Supreme Sanggye-dong Team investigates the movement of illegal transfer funds. *Seoul Vibe* offers a vibrant, nostalgic look at South Korea's capital as it was in the past, with the streets brimming with excitement during the 1988 Olympic season.

The film’s plot centers around a group of drivers who are drawn into an investigation into fraudulent funds targeting a powerful figure during the Seoul Olympics in 1988. The star-studded cast of *Seoul Vibe* includes Yoo Ah-in from *Hellbound* and *Burning*, Ko Kyung-pyo from *Reply 1988*, and Park Ju-hyun. Directed by Moon Hyun-sung, *Seoul Vibe* marks Netflix’s latest high-octane action blockbuster, following the intense, relentless *Carter*. Despite its action-heavy scenes, the film balances violence with quirky humor, lovable characters, and impressive driving stunts.

Korean action star Lee Jung-jae (from *The Housemaid* and *Deliver Us from Evil*) makes his directorial debut with the 1980s-set thriller *The Hunt*, in which he plays an intelligence chief who uncovers a plot to assassinate the South Korean president while investigating a mole within his agency. Set during the peak of tensions between North and South Korea in the 1980s, *The Hunt* is Lee's first foray into directing, a spy thriller that expertly blends political intrigue with espionage.

Co-starring with Lee is fellow Korean actor Jung Woo-sung, who plays a government agent assisting in the hunt for the mole. *The Hunt* leads audiences through a labyrinth of secrets, revealing a story full of twists and turns, making it one of the most impressive action films in recent years. Lee and screenwriter Jo Seung-hee balance complex political issues with thoughtful character development, while the intense pacing and deep conspiracy make this a thrilling ride. The story is brought to life through elaborate action sequences and fierce, no-holds-barred fight scenes, expertly edited by Kim Sang-bum to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

*Crash Landing on You* revolves around the story of Yoon Seri, a beautiful heir and successful fashion mogul in South Korea, who unexpectedly crash-lands into North Korea after being swept away by a storm while paragliding. There, she encounters Lee Jung-hyeok, a North Korean military officer with a bright future ahead of him. Raised in a prestigious family, Jung-hyeok is known for his principled and unyielding nature.

On the other side of the border, Seri enjoys a life of luxury, nearly resembling royalty, with her family's wealth and a thriving business. However, a sudden accident turns her life upside down. No one in North Korea is able to identify her, and despite the absurdity of the situation, Seri and Jung-hyeok begin to develop feelings for each other. Jung-hyeok becomes the only person to protect Seri from the North Korean authorities. *Crash Landing on You* quickly became a fan favorite, with its appeal extending beyond South Korea, especially in Southeast Asia, where stars in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand have openly confessed to binge-watching the show.

Vagabond is an action-packed drama series following Cha Dal Geon (Lee Seung Gi), a struggling stuntman who takes care of his young nephew Hoon. Tragedy strikes when Hoon is killed in a mysterious plane crash that claims the lives of everyone aboard. Devastated by the loss, Dal Geon travels to Morocco for the funeral and vows to uncover the truth behind the accident. As he embarks on his investigation, he crosses paths with NIS agent Go Haeri (Bae Suzy). Together, they begin to unravel a political corruption conspiracy linked to the crash.

*Vagabond* quickly gained attention for its high production value and stellar cast. From the teaser trailers, it was clear that the show would be packed with thrilling action. The plot of *Vagabond* is skillfully set up from the very first episode, with a massive political corruption scandal tied to the plane crash. This narrative, combined with Hoon's death, drives the action throughout the series. One of the standout features of *Vagabond* is how it maintains momentum, keeping the action scenes exciting and engaging throughout the entire series.

*Umma* is a supernatural horror film that follows Amanda (Sandra Oh) and her daughter Chrissy (Fivel Stewart) living a quiet life on their American farm. However, things take a dark turn when the remains of Amanda’s estranged mother are sent to her from South Korea, triggering a haunting fear of becoming like her own mother. Written and directed by Iris K. Shim, *Umma* delves into Amanda's psychological unraveling as she becomes obsessed with the idea of turning into her abusive mother. After her mother’s death, Amanda severed ties with her Korean heritage, even abandoning her family name and refusing to teach her daughter Korean.

Haunted by her traumatic childhood, Amanda is determined to break the cycle of bad parenting. But after a series of strange and supernatural events, she begins to question whether she can truly escape her past when she starts being possessed by her mother’s vengeful spirit. *Umma* offers a compelling experience, with a concise runtime under 90 minutes, an easily digestible storyline, and a theme that will resonate with anyone who has struggled with strained and toxic parental relationships. Sandra Oh delivers a powerful performance, carrying much of the emotional weight of the film.

Directed by Park Hyun Jin, *Love and Leashes* is based on the webtoon 'Moral Sense' by Gyeoul. This romantic comedy explores the world of contract relationships, pleasure, and pain in ways that are unexpectedly intriguing. The story follows Jung Ji Woo and Jung Ji-hoo, two colleagues who enter into a three-month contractual arrangement where they agree to fulfill each other's personal desires. The film stars Seohyun from Girls' Generation and Lee Jun-young from U-KISS as the leads, diving into a BDSM relationship dynamic.

Ji-woo, who develops a crush on her new colleague Ji-hoo, accidentally receives a package containing a human-sized dog collar. Instead of being embarrassed or frightened, she becomes curious about BDSM. Ji-hoo then proposes a dominant/submissive relationship, and neither of them expects to find such a deep connection in this unconventional arrangement. *Love and Leashes* breaks new ground for Korean cinema by boldly addressing sexual themes and diving into the world of BDSM. Unlike many predecessors that portray BDSM as a dangerous or taboo subject, the film emphasizes the importance of consent and mutual respect in relationships.

The highly anticipated sequel to *The Witch: Subversion* (2018) follows a young girl (played by Shin Si-ah), who is a test subject in a secret laboratory. After surviving a catastrophic accident that destroys the lab, she is taken in by siblings Kyung-hee and Dae-gil (Sung Yoo-bin), who give her a normal life, while others, including the mercenary Jo-hyeon (Seo Eun-soo), desperately search for her. Labelled as a Korean horror-action mystery film, *The Witch: Part 2. The Other One* explores the dark world of genetically modified children used as weapons, continuing from the first film.

All survivors from the program are endowed with superhuman abilities, including enhanced speed, telekinetic powers, healing factors, and immortality, unless shot in the head. One of the most striking moments in *The Other One* is when Shin Si-ah walks barefoot through the snow, her body covered in blood. The recurring imagery of a white sheet stained with dark red blood sets a chilling tone and visually defines the film's aesthetic, creating a beautifully haunting atmosphere throughout.