Top 10 Korean Movies that Leave Audiences in Tears

Journey to Eternity is a South Korean zombie apocalypse film directed by Yeon Sang-ho, featuring acclaimed actors Gong Yoo, Jung Yu-mi, and Ma Dong-seok. The film premiered at the Midnight Screenings section of the Cannes Film Festival on May 13, 2016, and set a box office record by selling over 10 million tickets on August 7.

Journey to Eternity - Train To Busan unfolds in a Korea under attack by a mysterious virus, turning humans into ferocious, blood-thirsty undead. On the train from Seoul to Busan, a father with his daughter, a couple expecting their first child, and a group of high school students find themselves facing the sudden outbreak of the undead. Their 453km journey from Seoul to the safe haven of Busan becomes a harrowing battle for survival.

DETAILS:

Director: Yeon Sang-ho

Cast: Gong Yoo, Kim Su-an, Jung Yu-mi, Ma Dong-seok, Choi Woo-shik, Ahn So-hee

Duration: 118 minutes

Release Year: 2016

The movie 'Wedding Dress' revolves around Seo Go Eun (played by Song Yoon Ah), a wedding dress designer. Despite her family's opposition, she married the one she loved. However, Go Eun's happy life was short-lived as her husband passed away. Raising her daughter So Ra (Kim Hyang Gi) alone, Go Eun had to work hard to make a living. Her daughter was also sent to her sister-in-law for care.

But fate continued to test Go Eun and her daughter once again. She was diagnosed with a serious illness that seemed incurable. With the little time left, Go Eun dedicated herself to making a wedding dress for her daughter. Transforming from a busy, clumsy, and distant mother, Go Eun learned to be closer to her daughter, enjoying the warmth of family bonds. However, just as she realized what happiness truly meant, time was running out.

DETAILS:

Director: Kwon Hyung-jin

Cast: Song Yoon Ah, Kim Hyang Gi

Duration: 109 minutes

Release Year: 2010

The movie King and the Clown, produced in 2005, revolves around the main character Lee Gong Gil, portrayed by Lee Jun Ki. At that time, South Korea was in a period of decline for a crumbling dynasty. Gong Gil and Jang Saeng, originally street performers, now specialized in mocking the king, queen, and concubines to earn a living.

One day, they performed for a wealthy merchant who took a liking to a girl. In a scuffle, they were beaten, and the girl was forced to stay. In self-defense, they killed a person and had to flee to a remote and desolate land. Their fate led them to perform for the king; if they made him laugh, they would be safe, but failure meant losing their heads.

After being caught in time, they were given an opportunity to save themselves if they could make the king laugh. To everyone's surprise, the king was enchanted by the performance, and the court officially recognized the actors, providing them with more audacious antics and a refuge more luxurious than they had ever imagined. However, King Gong-gil's attention quickly made it clear that humor wasn't the only thing driving his generosity. Being the object of the king's affection was an undeniable honor for Gong-gil, but it also sparked jealousy and hatred among the king's concubines, Jang-seng, and others.

One of the looming dangers was Queen Nok Su, once favored by the king but suddenly fallen out of favor, harboring resentment and plotting against Gong Gil. Nok Su hired someone to forge a letter in Gong Gil's handwriting with malicious content about Yonsan. However, once again, Jang Saeng saved Gong Gil's life by taking all the blame and accepting death. Yonsan had now truly become a tyrant, doing everything to keep those he cherished close, even expelling Cheo-seon from the palace.

DETAILS:

Director: Lee Joon-ik

Cast: Kam Woo-sung, Lee Joon-gi, Jung Jin-young

Duration: 119 minutes

Release Year: 2005

Based on the novel “La Femme de paille”, director Yoon Jae Koo crafts an unexpected, dramatic tale about the fate of a modern-day 'Cinderella' in society. The protagonist of Perfect Proposal is Ji Yeon (Lim Soo Jung), a kind and diligent South Korean girl struggling with an unexpected debt left by her friend. In Macau, fate introduces her to Sung Yeol (Yoo Yeon Seok), a charming and promising businessman who vows to change her life and rescue her from misery.

Together, they conspire to take over the vast fortune of President Kim, Sung-Yeol's father, a prominent figure in Macau with a chain of large casinos. The plan seems foolproof until, at the last minute, 'Cinderella' Ji Yeon becomes entangled in the legal web due to the sudden death of Mr. Kim. The plot of Cinderella's Plot is intricately woven, compensating for the somewhat monotonous storytelling of the film. Viewers can easily identify two parts of the narrative: the first half focuses on 'Cinderella's ascent to queen,' while the second half revolves around the mysterious murder plot that turns 'Cinderella' into a suspect.

Alongside the suspenseful plot blending intrigue and romance, what captivates the audience is the key detail acting as the gateway to the secret behind the case. Identifying the true culprit may not be challenging, but finding the evidence to exonerate Ji Yeon is no easy task. While the film lacks numerous twists and events, they are tightly connected, guiding the audience to the final answer. Compared to many conventional South Korean romantic works, the element of surprise is one of the accomplishments of Cinderella's Plot.

DETAILS:

Director: Je-gu Yun

Cast: Lim Soo Jung, Yoo Yeon Seok

Duration: 110 minutes

Release Year: 2015

The Most Beautiful Day (On Your Wedding Day) is a youthful school romance with a classic plot, but the film diverges from the expected 'happy ending.' Instead of concluding with a romantic wedding between the two main characters, The Most Beautiful Day begins with the young man Woo Yeon (Kim Young Kwang) holding the wedding invitation of Seung Hee (Park Bo Young), the girl he once wholeheartedly loved.

The Most Beautiful Day doesn't impress audiences with a captivating plot but focuses on memories and experiences, easily garnering viewers' empathy. The film beautifully depicts the rollercoaster of emotions in early youth and experiences that can only happen during adolescence. It's the days of skipping school to go to the beach together, still wearing school uniforms. It's the aimless strolls after school, silently walking side by side but feeling happy. It's the determination to enter the same university as the one you love, and it's the passing rain that stirs everyone's hearts.

DETAILS:

Director: Lee Seok-geun

Cast: Kim Young Kwang, Park Bo Young

Duration: 110 minutes

Release Year: 2018

And She Will Come (Be with You) has moved many audiences to tears with its touching storyline and the harmonious performances of Son Ye Jin and So Ji Sub. Directed by Lee Janghoon, this film is a remake of the Japanese movie of the same name from 2004, based on the novel by writer Takuji Ichikawa. According to the Korean Film Council, Be with You topped the nationwide box office rankings on its first day of release, attracting 89,758 viewers. The film was screened 4,275 times in 989 theaters.

The plot of the film can be described as a melancholic tale. Soo-ah (portrayed by Son Ye-jin) promised her husband Woo-jin (So Ji-sub) that she would return during the first rain of the next year before departing. As time passes, those promises seemed to fade away like the first rains of the season outside. Until one day, the miraculous happened – Soo-ah kept her promise and returned in front of her husband and son, but she had lost all her memories. Ironically, their reunion was short-lived as Soo-ah had to leave her family once again after that year's rainy season ended.

DETAILS:

Director: Lee Janghoon

Cast: So Ji Sub, Son Ye Jin

Duration: 132 minutes

Release Year: 2018

The Pandemic Flu (The Flu) tells the story of the outbreak of a mutated H5N1 strain causing death within 36 hours of infection. With a terrifying rate of spread, it plunges the city of Budang into chaos. In an illegal immigration bus to Bundang, a patient carries a virus that can spread and kill within 36 hours. This virus quickly unleashes its contagious power, putting hundreds of thousands of lives at risk. Even the local government is extremely puzzled in handling cases beyond their imagination.

The film is highly praised for its intense and captivating storyline. It features shocking scenes like piles of dead bodies in stadiums or those infected with the flu being buried alive or engulfed in flames. The film also portrays the government of South Korea dealing with national issues. In 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic erupted, The Flu once again stirred waves as viewers believed the film had foretold the COVID-19 situation. There are surprising coincidences that viewers could not have anticipated.

DETAILS:

Director: Kim Sung Soo
Cast: Soo Ae, Jang Hyuk, Park Min Ha, Ma Dong Seok
Duration: 121 minutes

Release Year: 2013