YouTube Channels with Valuable Coverage on Korean Cinema

With the growing interest in Korean cinema in Europe and North America, it's natural that there will be a thriving industry supporting its promotion, as well as analysis and criticism. Websites like this one make a difference, giving access to news and views on Korean cinema to a global audience. 

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YouTube is also an interesting resource. You can find anything on the platform, from guides on celebrity fashion to tips on how to play blackjack like a pro. There is a growing amount of content focused on Korean cinema, though. 

Below, we take a look at some of the best options. Some have a broader focus on Asian cinema, but, as Korean cinema is a major pillar of that, it can be featured quite heavily. 

1. Korean Classic Film / Korean Film Archive (KOFA)

Probably the best single place to start. The Korean Film Archive's YouTube presence includes a large library of classic Korean films, many with English subtitles. It also provides essays and everything else that you would expect with archive-based material. At the time of writing, it has over 1 million subscribers and 100s of full-length videos. It's a treasure trove. 

2. Filmed in Ether

A very good channel for serious video essays on Asian cinema, with notable coverage of South Korean film history, cinematography, directors, and industry trends. Their videos on Korean women directors and cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo are good examples of the type of artists it covers. It's only got just over 5,000 subscribers, but it is highly underrated. 

3. Accented Cinema

Not exclusively Korean, but one of the most popular essay channels covering non-English cinema, and Korean film comes up often. It is very accessible, so you don't have to be a film expert to jump in and start learning. One thing we love about this one is that it looks at the good and the bad of Korean and Asian cinema, without ever coming across as condescending. It also takes some time to look at North Korean cinema, too. 

4. Screened

Screened looks at global cinema, but it does tend to highlight Korean horror as a type of benchmark for storytelling and craft. It's excellent if you wish to understand the art and mechanics of Korean filmmaking, not just the end result on screen. It's probably not the best choice if you are new to film, but it is undeniably creative and interesting in its approach. 

5. AsianFilmFans

This is probably our pick for the best information on the pulse of Asian and Korean cinema. If you want to find out what the highest-grossing Korean movies of a given year are, or see the latest trailers for an upcoming Korean movie tipped to do well, this is a good channel. It's also great for letting you know what Korean content is arriving in streaming sites in the US and Europe. 

6. Smings World 

We'll finish with a newer channel that has quickly gained a lot of popularity. Smings World uploads free Korean movies and television series. Now, we have to say that the quality can vary dramatically, but there are some high-quality movies you can watch for free. There's also some editorial-style content to keep you in the loop with what's happening in the industry.