Discover the best of South Korean cinema, film, and television
Discover the definitive list of popular and critically-acclaimed movies and TV shows from South Korea. Find your next binge-watch, streaming on Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Prime Video, and other top services!
The cinema of South Korea
In the last two decades, South Korean cinema has become one of the most dynamic and influential forces in global entertainment, a cultural phenomenon known as the 'Hallyu' or Korean Wave. Its modern cinematic identity was forged by a new generation of visionary directors. Park Chan-wook stunned the world with the brutal elegance of revenge thrillers like Oldboy, while Bong Joon-ho achieved a historic, game-changing victory at the Academy Awards with his masterpiece Parasite. This is a cinema that can deliver nail-biting suspense, sharp social satire, and heartbreaking drama, often in the very same film. This creative energy then completely conquered television. For years, K-dramas have captivated millions with their addictive romances and sweeping historical epics. Then, a show like the global sensation Squid Game didn't just break records; it rewrote the rules of what a non-English language series could achieve. What makes Korean storytelling so incredibly addictive is its fearless emotional intensity and brilliant genre-blending. A story can be a touching romance one minute and a terrifying thriller the next. It is a culture that has truly mastered the art of popular entertainment, and it has the whole world completely hooked.
Best South Korean series
Squid Game 2021
Hundreds of cash-strapped players accept a strange invitation to compete in children's games. Inside, a tempting prize awaits — with deadly high stakes.
Netflix77
Can This Love Be Translated? 2026
The emotions of a celebrity and her interpreter get lost in translation as they travel the world filming a TV show. Will love find its own language?
Netflix79
Bon Appétit, Your Majesty 2025
After time traveling to the Joseon era, a talented chef meets a tyrant king. Her modern dishes captivate his palate, but royal challenges await her.
tvN79
Culinary Class Wars 2024
Eighty "Black Spoon" underdog cooks with a knack for flavor face 20 elite "White Spoon" chefs in a fierce cooking showdown among 100 contenders.
Netflix82
Physical: Asia 2025
Elite athletes from eight countries battle for national pride. After grueling tests of raw strength and endurance, only one flag can claim victory.
Netflix79
If Wishes Could Kill 2026
A mysterious app promises wishes — then starts a countdown to death. As a group of teens becomes entangled, they must break the deadly chain to survive.
Netflix74
Best South Korean movies
No Other Choice 2025
After being laid off and humiliated by a ruthless job market, a veteran paper mill manager descends into violence in a desperate bid to reclaim his dignity.
75
The Great Flood 2025
When a raging flood traps a researcher and her young son, a call to a crucial mission puts their escape — and the future of humanity — on the line.
58
Wall to Wall 2025
A man who poured his life savings into a new apartment discovers its walls are full of disturbing noises, hostile neighbors and unsettling secrets.
60
Lost in Starlight 2025
When an astronaut leaves Earth for Mars, the vast infinite space divides star-crossed lovers in this animated romance that crosses the cosmos.
73
Mantis 2025
The secret society of contract killers falls into chaos, unleashing a new breed of assassins. With old rules in ruins, who dares claim the shadows?
60
Love Untangled 2025
A lovestruck teen plans to win the school heartthrob by going from curly to straight hair — until a new transfer student changes everything.
73