Best North Korean drama movies
Get ready to binge. We've found a collection of must-watch drama films from North Korea, now streaming on Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Prime Video, and other top services!
Pulgasari 1985
In feudal Korea, a group of starving villagers grow weary of the orders handed down to them by their controlling king and set out to use a deadly monster under their control to push his armies back.
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The Best in Hell 2022
Propaganda movie about units of the "whites" (PMC "Wagner") who perform an assault operation to capture buildings. They are opposed by the "yellow" units, which have dug in these buildings and are also ready to fight to the end.
69Wish 2011
The story of a husband and construction worker whose dream is to have his picture taken with the leader of his country.
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Wolmi Island 1982
A small troop of North Korean soldiers, armed with just four guns among them, defeats General Douglas MacArthur and 50,000 American soldiers at Inch'on.
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A Traffic Controller on Crossroads 1986
A woman has just been newly christened in her job as a Pyongyang traffic supervisor. On her first assignment, she encounters a man who is using his work truck for personal use, along with driving unsafely. She detains him before eventually finding out that he was delivering the washing machine to her house. She attempts to hide in another room, but the man sees her. She immediately feels guilty for her actions.
53The Kites Flying in the Sky 2008
The Kites Flying in the Sky is a 2008 North Korean film. Directed by Phyo Kwang and Kim Hyon-chol, the film is based on the true story of a former marathon champion who devotes her life to caring for orphans. It officially premiered on 16 February 2008, and was the first film to be shown on television prior to a general release in June
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The Flower Girl 1972
The country is occupied by the Japanese imperialists. Koppun is selling flowers at the market to get some money to buy medicine for her sick mother. Her brother is imprisoned, her father dead and her sister blind.
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Teen Guerrillas 1951
A group of boys decide to form a guerrilla unit in order to sabotage and spy on the American enemy after one of the communist-controlled cities falls to them.
55Lighthouse 1983
The hero of this film toiled was a lighthouse keeper before Korea's liberation in World War II. He suffered many indignities and mistreatment by the Japanese, who were then occupying Korea. After the liberation, he leads a better life, and despite his advanced age, he keeps the lighthouse in full working order, in devotion to his country and doesn't rely on recognition or praise. Lighthouse is a quiet revolution drama, which makes it clear that a meritorious fate can also stand behind an unassuming person.
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From Spring to Summer 1988
This is a Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Union of Soviet Socialist Republics co-production. This film is set during World War II, and is about a female Russian soldier named Masha. She is on a mission to discover a secret Japanese base in Korea. Everybody who accompanies her on the mission shortly dies, and she’s forced to stay with a local fisherman. She is trying to get the information about the base location back to the Russian army, because if she doesn’t, the Japanese will unleash the “Sakura Plan”, which is an all-out biological warfare assualt on the world.
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The Tale of Chun Hyang 1980
A tender hearted young noble man, Mong Ryong, falls in love with the famous Chun Hyang, the most beautiful girl of a Korean village, who is also a pure hearted artist but unfortunately from a humble family. This forbidden love yields a secret marriage which is doomed when Mong Ryong departs for Seoul to pass state exams and his absence lasts three years, during which no news is heard of him. Meanwhile, the arrival of an infamous new sheriff puts Chun Hyang in great peril when she refuses to break her marriage and obey the desires of the sheriff.
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The Country I Saw 1987
While serving as a journalist in World War 2 for the Imperial Army of Japan, "Takahashi Minoru" (Pak Ki Ju) sees first-hand the impact on Koreans who have had their national identity forcibly taken from them by the Japanese occupation of their country. It's at this time that he adopts a mantra of viewing an incident before writing a newspaper editorial on it. Several years later he once again visits Korea as a war correspondent during the Korean War and takes home with him several more memories that have a great effect upon him as well. Years later he becomes a respected writer and while giving a speech on the Juche system has his perspective challenged by a young man in the auditorium. Having never seen North Korea he realizes that in order to meet his own high standard of journalism he must travel there and see for himself whether his opinion is valid or not.
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Scouts 1953
The film tells the story of a small group of the Korean People's Army, led by Hakcheol Lee, deputy chief of the reconnaissance division, which went behind enemy lines.
45O Youth! 1995
A Pyongyang family with five overachieving athletic daughters get involved in their studious son’s romantic life.
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A Broad Bellflower 1987
Jin Song Rim strives to turn her humble mountain hometown of Pyokgye-ri into a model socialist village.
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On the Green Carpet 2001
Pyongyang, DPRK: Two ex-child gymnasts find themselves working together as directors in charge of the production of "mass games" (aka mass gymnastics, a North Korean specialty). Their joint area of responsibility is the youngest children's performance. However the two directors have different personalities and priorities. Their co-operation is less than friction-free as the pressure leading up to the performance increases. The two find that they work no better together as adults than they did as children. However there is still a bit of a spark between them. Will they manage to finish the production in time for the grand opening in front of the country's Leader? Are the children up for the challenge? Will any romance come out of all this....
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A Forest Is Swaying 1982
"A Forest is Swaying" is the story of a former soldier (Pak Sŏng-ryong) who struggles to plant a pine forest and raise and orphaned child in an area devastated by American bombs in the Fatherland Liberation War (Korean War). A young agricultural expert comes to judge the work Pak has been doing. She finds that it is impossible to have a pine forest in this area, and surmises that he should plant other trees instead. He continues to plant pine trees regardless of her advice.
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On The Railway 1960
Having been arrested by the American forces, a Korean engineer tries to save a North-Korean engine from the possession of the enemy by pretending he is working for them.
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The Story of a Blooming Flower 1992
A Japanese florist creates his masterpiece: the red begonia hybrids will represent the Juche ideology and stand as a symbol of love, justice and peace. In honor of the beloved leader, he gives her the name Kimjongilia.
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Brothers 1957
Story of two brothers, stayed in different parts of Korea. Elder one works on recovery of electric plant. Younger brother comes back to native town with sabotage task.
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Two Families In Haeun-Dong 1996
A famous singer and her engineer-scientist husband move into a Korean apartment. Soon, the singer becomes jealous of the intimacy in their neighbours' marriage.
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Nation and Destiny 11-13: Hong Yong Ja 1997
A film about a South Korean actress who has been involved in many political activities under President Park Chung-hee's rule. Ch'a Hong-gi persuades Kim Hyong-uk, the former KCIA director to expose the corruption of President Park Chung-hee in a book. After Kim's death, Hong Yong-ja suspects the South Korean government of being involved. She eventually becomes a vice president of International Taekwondo Federation by the help of Ch'a Hong-gi.
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Souls Protest 2000
Billed as a North Korean "Titanic". On August 15, 1945, Japanese Imperialists were defeated and there echoed in Japan, too, shouts of victory of thousands of Korean people who had been drafted to Japan. They formed a repatriation autonomy to return to their dear homeland. The Japs plot to blow up their ship on the way which is overloaded with thousands of Koreans who requested repatriation; whose number in fact is twice as many as the ship's fixed capacity. Cha Myong Jin and other Koreans who are ignorant of this fact set out with great joy and hope, talking and laughing. Cha Myong Jin meets his fiance on the ship and whispers their future life. But they dream breaks out. The Japs turn the ship to the Maizuru Port under the pretext of refilling the drinking water and drive the Koreans below deck while preparing to blow up the ship.
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Myself in the Distant Future 1997
A romantic drama from 1997, that revolves around the coupling of a big city businessman and a lowly plasterer based in the countryside, who decides to stay in her home despite the apparent benefits of leaving
20One's youth 1957
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The Invisible Front 1965
A resident of foreign intelligence, nicknamed 'badger', receives a new task through a sent messenger. Badger's subordinates Sen-ryur Pak, a doctor, and his wife Chon-ok Lee take action. They are participants in a new sabotage operation.
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Son of the Land 1964
Told in three parts, Yong Min, who prior to the liberation of Korea received all sorts of humiliations and insults while serving at the landowner, becomes the owner of the land in socialist Korea.
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애국자 1959
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People's Teacher 1964
Schoolboy Ding Sek did not study well, was rude, was an undisciplined child. The film tells about how the teacher Ir Bok, a sensitive and attentive person, managed to find the right way to the boy, helped him and ensured that he became one of the best students.
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The Regained Name 1963
The landlord kidnaps the child because of the family's debt. When a new life begins after being released, the kidnapped Sunhi regains her real name and mother after 30 years thanks to the assistance of the new government.
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그들의 모습에서 1985
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Fugitive from the South 1963
Fate threw the young architect Won Il with his eldest son to South Korea. In the north, in Kesson, his wife remained with two small children. After the death of his son, Won Il rushes to his homeland, to his relatives, to his family.
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My University Is a Factory 1961
After graduating from school, the young man came to work at the factory, although he wanted to become a writer. He understood the importance of industrial studies and began to write good essays about factory comrades.
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Red Buds 1960
About the heroic struggle of young Korean patriots against the Japanese invaders in 1930.
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Village at the Demarcation Line 1961
Enemy Brigadier Seung Jin secretly intimidates Song-nie and the other village women, hoping that they will quit their job at the co-op.
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Girl from Mount Geumgang 1959
The story of a composer who was separated from his beloved daughter. Once the composer accidentally met a beautiful girl who can sing and dance well. After many twists and turns, the composer is convinced that this girl is his daughter.
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6남매 1960
A movie about children who lost their parents as a result of the Korean War.
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The Miss of Guerrillas 1954
Against the backdrop of the time when North Korea was fighting the war for the liberation of the Korean peninsula (1950-1953), the main character, Ok-khi Cho, participates in a guerrilla war in a village occupied by the American military.
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Jeon-u 1958
During the Korean War, Chinese volunteers and the Korean People's Army supported each other and fought together. They shed blood in the name of friendship between the two peoples and praised the nobility, the spirit of internationalism.
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Son of the Motherland 1956
The story of a Korean who, since childhood, lived under the rule of Japanese invaders. During the Korean War, the hero devotes all his strength to the fight against the aggressors, worthily serving the homeland he loves.
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Tumangan River 1961
A screen adaptation of the first part of the eponymous trilogy by Lee Gi Young about the national liberation struggle of the Korean people against the Japanese invaders in the late 19th - early 20th centuries.
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Prelude to the struggle 1960
About the last days of the government of Syngman Rhee, about the struggle against his regime of Seoul students.
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A woman's story 1960
About the heroic struggle of the Chinese people against the Japanese invaders in the 1930s. In the center of the film is the image of a young Korean woman, Kyoung-ok Yoo, who selflessly fought in the ranks of the Chinese patriots.
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The Combat Unit of a Fighter Plane 1953
The main character of the film, Man-sik Kim, is a fighter of the Korean People's Army. Through his bravery and resourcefulness in battle, he crushed the enemy's air superiority and dealt a crushing blow to the enemy.
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Defenders of the native land 1952
The plot revolves around a pair of hunters, Moonil Lee and Sun-deok Kim, who wage an armed struggle to defend their homeland during the war on the Korean Peninsula (1950-1953).
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Never Can Live Like That 1956
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Love the Future 1959
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The Country I Saw, Part 3 1987
Having already added to the tensions between North Korea and Japan, a university professor finds that her views are considered even more dangerous now. Things quickly take a turn for the worse when missiles are launched from North Korea directly over Japanese air space.
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Young Captain 1958
How schoolboy Yoon Ho and his friend Seung Mo are looking for the grave of his brother who died during the struggle of the Korean people for their independence. The film tells about the guys' adventures during these searches.
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Goodbye 1958
Based on the story of the same name by Han Sorya, which tells one of the pages of the life of South Korean youth - her struggle against external interference and for the unification of the peoples of South and North Korea.
10I can see the Big Dipper 1959
About the plight of poor man Dek Sam and his daughter Bok Sir, expelled from the north of Korea by supporters of the South Korean regime of Singman Ri, who, like thousands of other unemployed, are doomed to terrible hardships and poverty.
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Her Life Path 1958
Using the fate of an ordinary woman as an example, the film shows how life has changed in liberated Korea.
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Runaway 1984
Song Ryul returns to the countryside to see his ill father. After his cousin conspires with the Japanese occupiers to sell their crop, Song Ryul is forced to emigrate to Kando (Jiandao) in Manchuria. His family faces numerous adversities there and after a row with a local pharmacist, he is imprisoned. The prison is raided by Kim Il-sung and his guerrillas, who free the inmates, who take revenge on the Japanese by blowing up a railway.
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An Emissary of No Return 1984
An Emissary of No Return retells the story of a real historical event in 1907 known as the Hague Secret Emissary Affair. Korea had been colonized by Japan. In order to protest to the international community, the Korean emperor king Gojong sent three secret emissaries to the talks of the Hague Convention of 1907, to get the great powers to overturn the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1905.
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When We Pick Apples 1971
A film about a woman who works in Pukch'ŏng apple village to produce apples with the best quality encouraging the villagers to join her efforts. She also works with them to develop the best techniques to perserve them.
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Mt. Baekdu can be seen everywhere 1956
A screen adaptation of the novel by North Korean writer Yong Song. On the anti-Japanese partisan struggle of the Korean partisans in the 1930s.
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Prince Moon and Princess Sun 1990
Two Korean states, Goguryeo and Ranran, are on the brink of war. While the king of Goguryeo tries to keep peace at all costs, King Ranrana plans to take over Goguryeo with the help of foreign allies. Under these circumstances, Prince Huodong travels to Ranran to offer peace and falls in love with the beautiful princess.
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How can we live apart? 1957
Yong Nam was separated from his mother by the war on the Korean Peninsula (1950-1953): the boy remained in South Korea, while his mother left for the North. But how can they live apart?
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Ask Yourself 1988
A film about a woman called San Mae, she had volunteered to herd the cattles in the mountains as young. When she is asked by her sister to go back to the city to get married, Min Suk Jo, the team leader of the pasturing unit tries to convince her to stay, as she is much needed there. But trouble soon appears, when the team leader himself is asked if he himself really would be able to send one of his own daughters to the mountain side for pasturing, thus leaving their comfortable life in the city.
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The Story of Sim Cheong 1957
Film opera. The legend of the young Cheon Sim who throws herself into the Indangsu sea sacrificing herself so that her blind father can restore his sight. However, she was resurrected, became an empress, and healed her father's blindness.
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The Blast Furnace 1950
Life in Korea seen from the perspective of the 'cheollima' philosophy encouraged at that time. The aim of 'cheollima' was to speed up both the economy and cultural and artistic achievements.
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Village People 1957
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Jackals 1956
A screen adaptation of Han Sorya's novel 'Jackals', which tells the story of a Korean boy killed by American missionaries.
10The Road of Happiness 1956
The film tells about the life and struggle of the Korean peasants living on the Phundekber plain, near the 38th parallel, against the Americans and the Lisinman people. The film is set in 1950.
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Nation and Destiny 1-4: Choe Hyon Dok 1992
Choe Hyon Dok indulged in anti-communism nearly all his life. At the end, he is forsaken by the nation and lives in exile in a foreign country. But in the embrace of his beloved home, his motherland, he finds the genuine way to resurrection and contribution to the nation at last.
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The Favourite Young Man 1989
A young plumber reunite with his girlfriend from the years in the army. His sister that he is a businessman. To make him more interesting and desirable. For a plumber is nothing to be, right?
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