OTT platforms in India have been a blessing for audience who have been waiting for several years to watch international content. With several digital streaming platforms in India today, Korean drama and films have become one of the favourite among the audience. Films which have received international acclaim are available globally and on the other hand, filmmakers are able to showcase their work to an international audience.
The power of storytelling, presentation and more have reached a global scale making content accessible to everyone across the world. One classic example is the 2019-release Parasite, which became one of the most discussed films in 2019, eventually bagging the coveted Oscars for Best film.
While there are limitation due to distribution and syndication rules, many films which were once known only for their title, have now reached homes, and are being viewed at an affordable cost. Content is now available on digital platforms, be it Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar or more, where many popular films and web shows, even dubbed in local languages for better reach, have become one of the main strategy aspect for OTT players like Aha, Zee5, SonyLIV and others have made them available in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and more.
Below-mentioned are 15 most popular Korean films of all time (based on the IMDb Rating and user views).
Best Korean Films to Watch Online on OTT Platforms
| Name of the Show | Platform | IMDb Rating | Genre |
| Parasite | Amazon Prime Video | 8.5 | Drama, Thriller |
| Oldboy | Amazon Prime Video | 8.4 | Action, Drama, Mystery |
| Ayla: The Daughter of War | Netflix | 8.3 | Biography, Drama, History |
| Hope | Netflix | 8.2 | Drama |
| Memories of Murder | Amazon Prime Video | 8.1 | Crime, Drama, Mystery |
| Miracle in cell no. 7 | Netflix India | 8.1 | Comedy, Drama |
| The Handmaiden | Amazon Prime Video | 8.1 | Drama, Romance, Thriller |
| Silenced | Netflix | 8 | Drama |
| A Taxi Driver | NA | 7.9 | Action, Drama, History |
| 3-Iron | NA | 7.9 | Crime, Drama, Romance |
| Oasis | NA | 7.9 | Drama, Romance |
| I Saw The Devil | NA | 7.8 | Action, Crime, Drama |
| Mother | Na | 7.8 | Crime, Drama, Mystery |
| Train to Busan | Amazon Prime Video | 7.6 | Action, Horror, Thriller |
Parasite (2019)
Presented as a black comedy thriller, Parasite received critical acclaim globally and was considered to be one of the best films made in 2019. Directed by Bong Joon-ho, and the screenplay co-written by him and Han Jin-won, the film is based on a play written by Bong’s source material. The story of Parasite was lauded for nuanced writing, direction, and performance. Parasite won the prestigious Academy Award (Oscars) in 2019 for Best Film and had a tremendous impact on film lovers globally.
The story revolves around a poor family of four. With neither of them having a job, they struggle to make ends meet until one day, when they make a plan to be employed by a wealthy family. What follows are events where they infiltrate their household by duping them into highly qualified individuals as per needs, eventually leading to several events which will keep the audience at the edge of their seats.
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
Cast: Song Kang-ho, Lee Sun-kyun, Cho Yeo-jeong, Choi Woo-shik, Park So-dam, and others
Also Read: Fight For My Way K-drama Telugu dub to stream on Aha from December 24
Oldboy (2013)
Directed by Park Chan-Wook, the story of the 2003-release Oldboy revolves around a man who has been in captivity for several years without any specific reason. He is released and is some money, a phone, and expensive clothes to resume his lifestyle. However, curiosity kicks in, and he begins to find out about the identity of his captor, which also serves as the turning point of the film as something shocking awaits him. The official plot of the film reads, “After being kidnapped and imprisoned for fifteen years, Oh Dae-Su is released, only to find that he must find his captor in five days.”
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Cast: Choi Min-Sik Yoo Ji-Tae, and others
Ayla: The Daughter of War (2017)
South Korean-Turkish film Ayla: The Daughter of War, directed by Can Ulkay, revolves around Sergeant Süleyman and an incident he faces. During the Korean war, he finds a little girl on a battlefield and takes care of her thereafter. He names her Ayla and gets attached to her eventually. However, things take a turn when he is asked to return to Turkey 15 months later and has a choice to take her along or leave her behind. With no one to take care of her, he helped the girl with another chance in life and the one who won the heart of Süleyman. What follows are events where he has to take a decision.
IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
Cast: Cetin Tekindor, Ismail Hacigolu, and others
Hope (2013)
Written by Ji-hye Kim and directed by Joon-ik Lee, Hope is based on a true crime story known as the ‘Cho Doo-Soon case’ reported in 2008. An 8-year-old “Na-young” was raped and beaten to death, in a public bathroom, by a 57-year-old man. This issue raised several concerns, eventually being covered extensively in the South Korean press. Through Hope, the makers showcase the incident in a fictional manner. The official synopsis of the film reads, “An 8-year-old girl coping with a gruesome rape damaging her internally and affecting emotionally, trying to overcome all obstacles in the aftermath of the incident with good support from those around her.”
Where to Watch
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
Cast: Re Lee, Sol Kyung-Gu, and others
Memories of Murder (2003)
Directed and jointly written by Bong Joon-ho, Memories of Murder is loosely based on Korea’s first confirmed serial murders. The incidents were reported in the Hwaseong region and are said to have happened between 1986 and 1991. Multiple young women are raped and murdered. Investigation begins, and two detectives are asked to look into the matter. What follows are events where they struggle with the intensity of the crime, case and finding out the details of the unknown culprit.
Where to Watch
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Cast: Song Kang-ho, Kim Sang-Kyung and others
Miracle in Cell no. 7 (2013)
Hwan-kyung Lee directed the film, Miracle in Cell no. 7, is a real-life story of a man who pleaded guilty to the rape and murder charges of a 9-year-old girl. Set in the era of 1972, the story follows a mentally challenged man who was wrongfully imprisoned on murder charges, but upon landing behind bars, he developed connections and friendships with people tagged as hardened criminals. Their bond strengthens, and they, in return, help him meet his daughter through means often not permissible, eventually making the prison their home.
Where to Watch: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Cast: Seung-ryong Ryu, Kal So-Won, and others
Also Read: Big Bet OTT Release Date: Cast, Storyline, When and Where to Watch the K-drama Online
The Handmaiden(2016)
Directed by Park Chan-Wook, the 2016 romance drama the Handmaiden follows the journey of a woman who is hired as a handmaiden. She works for the Japanese heiress. However, there is something strange about her. Eventually, one finds that she is secretly involved in a plot planned thoughtfully to defraud her. What follows are incidents where she has to dig deep and eventually face it to change it.
The Handmaiden won critical acclaim globally in 2016 and also bagged the prestigious BAFTA award. The film was nominated at several award ceremonies under the best film (international) category.
Where to Watch
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Cast: Kim Min-hee, Ha Jung-woo and others
Also Read: The Glory OTT Release Date: Cast, Storyline, When and Where to Watch the K-drama Online
Silenced (2011)
The movie is based on a sensitive topic and uncovers the sexual and physical assaults that hearing-impaired students are subjected to in school. The Goblin star, Gong Yoo, plays the role of an art teacher, Kang In-ho. He is new to the school and collaborates with a human rights activist to uncover the truth.
Where to watch: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
Cast: Gong Yoo, Hyeon-soo Kim, Kang In-ho, and others
A Taxi Driver (2017)
Originally titled Taeksi woonjunsa, Taxi Driver is a 2017 action drama written by Yu-na Eom and directed by Hun Jang. The premise of the film revolves around “A widowed father and taxi driver who drives a German reporter from Seoul to Gwangju to cover the 1980 uprising, soon finds himself regretting his decision after being caught in the violence around him.”
Where to watch: NA
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Cast: Song Kang-ho, Hae-Jin Yoo, and others
3-Iron (2004)
Written and directed by Kim-ki Duk, the crime drama 3-Iron is about “A transient young man breaks into empty homes to partake of the vacationing residents’ lives for a few days.”
Where to watch: NA
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Cast: Hae Jee, Seung-Yun Lee, and others
Oasis (2002)
Lee Chang-dong’s 2002 romance drama is considered to be one of the best romantic films portrayed ever. Originally titled Oasiseu, the film revolves around “An irresponsible and childish ex-con who befriends a girl with cerebral palsy and develops a progressively stronger bond with her.”
Where to watch: NA
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Cast: Sol Kyung-gu, Moon so-ri, and others
I saw the devil (2010)
Presented as an action-crime-drama, over 139000 users have rated the film on IMDb. Co-written by Jae-woo Kim and Park hoon-jung, the film is about “A secret agent exacts revenge on a serial killer through a series of captures and releases.”
Where to watch: NA
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Cast: Lee Byung-hun, Choi Min-sik, and others
Mother (2009)
Originally titled Madeo, the film is about “a mother who desperately searches for the killer who framed her son for a girl’s horrific murder.” Written and directed by Bong Joon Ho, Mother is presented as a crime drama. Eun-kyo Park has contributed to the screenplay of the film
Where to watch: NA
IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
Cast: Won Bin, Jin Hoo, and others
Train to Busan (2016)
As the title suggests, this 2016-release revolves around a man who is travelling with his daughter on a train to Busan to celebrate her birthday and meet his wife. However, the situation changes and gets intense when they are trapped due to a zombie attack. The outbreak in South Korea invites trouble for the duo and other passengers who struggle for survival.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
Cast: Gong Yoo, Jung Yu-mi, and others
Other Popular Films You Should Not Miss
| Name of the Show | Platform | IMDb Rating | Genre |
| My Sassy Girl | Netflix India | 8 | Comedy, Drama |
| Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter…and Spring | Amazon Prime Video | 8 | Drama, Romance |
| Tae Guk Ki: The Brotherhood of War | NA | 8 | Action, Drama, War |
| Burning | Amazon Prime Video | 7.5 | Drama, Mystery, Thriller |
| The Wailing | Amazon Prime Video | 7.4 | Drama, Horror, Mystery |
| Forgotten | Netflix | 7.4 | Mystery Thriller |
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