[HanCinema's Lists] The Top 5 Korean Thrillers of All-Time

One of the most popular trends we saw in 2013 was the rampant release of action-packed thrillers! It's a genre that Korean cinema favours and continues to return to, but in 2013 the industry really did pump out a number of successful hits that contributed to the record-breaking tickets sales last year enjoyed.

Advertisement

It's tricky to pinpoint films that are 'pure' thrillers because Korean films often blend and bend their genres in unique and creative ways. That being said, here is a quick look at the top 5 Korean thrillers that have stormed their way to box office glory.

5. "The Terror Live"

Director: Kim Byeong-woo ("WRITTEN")

Screenplay: Kim Byeong-woo

Stars: Ha Jung-woo, Lee Kyung-young, Jeon Hye-jin-II, Choi Jin-ho

Length: 98 min

Released: 2013/08/01

Admissions: 5,579,041

4. "Hide and Seek"

Director: Huh Jung

Screenplay: Huh Jung

Stars: Son Hyun-joo, Moon Jeong-hee, Jeon Mi-sun, Kim Won-hae, Jung Joon-won

Length: 107 min

Released: 2013/08/14

Admissions: 5,603,866

3. "The Man From Nowhere"

Director: Lee Jeong-beom ("The Crying Man", "Cruel Winter Blues")

Screenplay: Lee Jeong-beom

Stars: Won Bin, Kim Sae-ron, Kim Tae-hoon, Kim Hee-won

Length: 119 min

Released: 2010/08/04

Admissions: 6,226,886

2. "The Berlin File"

Director: Ryoo Seung-wan ("The Unjust", "Dachimawa Lee", "Crying Fist")

Screenplay: Ryoo Seung-wan

Stars: Ha Jung-woo, Han Suk-kyu, Ryoo Seung-bum, Jun Ji-hyun

Length: 120 min

Released: 2013/01/30

Admissions: 7,166,177

1. "Snowpiercer"

Director: Bong Joon-ho ("Mother – 2009", "Memories of Murder", "The Host")

Screenplay: Bong Joon-ho

Stars: Chris Evans, Song Kang-ho, Ed Harris, John Hurt, Tilda Swinton

Length: 125 min

Released: 2013/08/01

Admissions: 9,340,629

Have you seen all of these great films? Maybe one of you favourites didn't make in into the top five? Share you thoughts and favourites with others in the comment section below...

- C.J. Wheeler (chriscjw@gmail.com; @KoreaOnTheCouch)