“Train to Busan” (2016)

“Train to Busan” is a classic South Korean zombie movie. It follows a father and daughter as they fight a zombie virus outbreak on their commute from Seoul to Busan. The movie is action-packed and doesn’t shy away from gore. Despite having a runtime of one hour and 58 minutes, the film moves at a quick pace. The audience is gifted with a diverse cast of characters, ranging from older businessmen to a young sports team. Characters’ morals are put to the test throughout the movie, exploring the theme of individualism vs. collectivism.

“Train to Busan” is very South Korean in the sense that it plays into conventional gender norms. In the movie, men are portrayed as protectors while women are visibly weaker. The traditional approach director Sang-ho Yeon took impressed South Korea, with the movie breaking box-office records when it was released in 2016. The movie then premiered in the U.S. at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival and became the first Korean film of 2016 to break the audience record of over ten million theatergoers.

“All of Us Are Dead” (2022-) 

“All of Us Are Dead” follows a group of high schoolers as they attempt to survive a zombie outbreak after a science teacher’s experiment goes wrong. The show is an adaptation of the Webtoon by Joo Dong-geun and hit Netflix in January 2022. “All of Us Are Dead” is action-packed while still tapping into characteristics of a teen drama. Amidst the chaos of the outbreak, characters still grapple with issues like bullying and explore romantic endeavors.

In just one season, the show left its mark on Americans. Viewers became emotionally invested in characters Nam On-jo, Lee Cheong-san, Choi Nam-ra and Lee Su-hyeok for their vulnerability and authenticity. For the entirety of the show, viewers were left to question, “What would I do in this situation?” This kind of immersive experience is what makes “All of Us Are Dead” a thrilling watch. Season one set a buildable foundation for season two with its many plot twists and cliffhanger ending. Due to production setbacks, however, season two likely won’t be released until 2026. 

“Memories of Murder” (2003)

Americans discovered “Memories of Murder”* after being introduced to Bong Joon-ho’s work with “Parasite.” “Memories of Murder” follows two detectives investigating a slew of murders in Hwaesong, South Korea. The film recounts the real-life crimes committed by the country’s first documented serial killer, Lee Choon-jae. “Memories of Murder” isn’t as action-packed as other South Korean thrillers, rather, it emphasizes dialogue. The film has a runtime of two hours and 12 minutes and moves at a slow pace. Most of that duration shows the detectives digging for clues but struggling to make any progress.

Ultimately, “Memories of Murder” serves as a critique of how police operated during the late 1980s in South Korea. In the movie, police struggle to manage the investigation due to a lack of experience. This case is the most serious the station has seen and with a broken system, improper measures are taken to crack it. This is proven when the detectives abuse suspects in an attempt to receive a confession. At the end of the film, the case remains unsolved, a testament to the police’s incompetence.

“Forgotten” (2017)

“Forgotten” is a hidden gem in the realm of South Korean thrillers. The movie tells the story of a man’s kidnapped brother who returns home after 19 days with no recollection of his time in captivity. The unpredictable nature of the plot makes for an exciting watch. The end presents a final twist, leaving viewers speechless. The entire movie is incredibly eerie, with some scenes reminiscent of a horror movie. The nuance of the main character Jin-seok and his brother Yoo-seok is the glue that holds “Forgotten” together. Throughout the film, the characters develop to be nearly unrecognizable. The characters’ actors excel in shifting their demeanors to showcase this development. Though often compared to “Oldboy,” * “Forgotten” is a more digestible film, making it ideal for American viewers new to the South Korean thriller genre.  

“The Glory” (2022-2023)

“The Glory”* follows a woman as she aims to get revenge on her bullies decades later. The show is multifaceted and centers on real-life issues in South Korea, like bullying and classism. Moon Dong-eun is bullied so badly that she is forced to quit school early and let go of her aspirations. While her peers were in school, Dong-eun worked for years to save money. She would then spend this money on supplies to enact an elaborate plan that would take down her bullies without leaving a trace.

The show blossomed when it first hit Netflix in 2022, accumulating a total of 622.8 million hours viewed worldwide, making it the number three most-watched content on the platform. The show was released in two parts, maintaining a slow-burn pace and keeping its audience hungry for more. “The Glory” exists to satisfy gradually, presenting several moments where it seems that Dong-eun has fallen to her bullies. Though viewers will not feel truly satisfied until the end, the show remains enthralling.

Unlike an American series, “The Glory” doesn’t get its shock factor from a plot twist. It plays into what the audience thinks will happen but with more breadth. From a visual standpoint, the show excels. It takes an unconventional approach with nearly every scene being cool-toned. The acting is top-tier, with Lim Ji-yeon taking the cake for most hateable character in her role as Park Yeon-jin.