5 Korean movies for people who loved Parasite and want to escape the Hollywood bubble

Disclaimer: This is my list, my trauma, my recommendations of top Korean movies.

So, you liked Parasite? Look, opinions are subjective, and so is taste in movies. If you’re here expecting a super serious, academic breakdown of Korean cinema—wrong address, buddy. This is a personal list. These are movies that stuck with me, wrecked me, and made me question life choices (or at least my ability to emotionally recover from cinema). If you agree? Great. If you don’t? Also great. The world of Korean movies is vast—go find your own life-ruining favorites. But at least give these 5 movies a chance?

Now, let’s get straight into the chaos.

So, listen—I didn’t get into Korean cinema through Parasite. Oh no. My first was Oldboy. That was my grand entrance. No warm-up, no gentle introduction, just straight into the trauma. If you’ve seen it, you get it. If you haven’t… well, welcome to a life of never being the same again.

But if Parasite was your gateway drug to Korean cinema, then congrats! Bong Joon-ho wasn’t lying when he said all you need to do is get over that tiny one-inch subtitle barrier to unlock some of the best storytelling out there. So, if you’re ready for more mind-blowing, gut-punching, what-the-hell-did-I-just-watch kind of movies, I’ve got the perfect lineup for you.

Without further ado, the recommendations.

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Oldboy (2003) – The very definition of “I will never recover”

Let’s just get this out of the way: Oldboy isn’t just a movie, it’s an experience. It’s brutal, it’s stylish, and it messes with your head on a spiritual level. A guy gets locked up in a room for 15 years with no explanation. Then, one day, he’s released—also with no explanation. What follows is revenge, psychological torment, and a twist so messed up it redefined the concept of plot twists forever—at least for me.

If Parasite made you love Korean films, Oldboy will ruin your entire existence in the best way possible. And yes, that’s a recommendation.

Oh, and Choi Min-sik? Absolute powerhouse. His performance in this is so intense it makes every revenge movie after this look like child’s play. He carries the film with this raw, unhinged energy that sticks with you forever.

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Snowpiercer (2013) – I had doubts, and then, boom—masterpiece

Okay, I’ll admit it—I was a little skeptical at first. A Korean movie… with an American cast? That felt weird. Was it still gonna have that Bong Joon-ho magic? And then, bam, the movie slaps you across the face with its brilliant social commentary, intense action, and an ending that leaves you shattered.

The entire movie takes place on a train (because the world has frozen over, naturally), and the further you go towards the front, the more you see how the rich hoard everything while the poor get stomped on. Sound familiar? Yep, Bong was already serving Parasite-level class war years before it was cool.

Oh, and if you need extra motivation? Song Kang-ho is in it. Yep, the same Song Kang-ho from Parasite (aka the father, aka the legend). He’s the heart of this movie too, and watching him go from chaotic genius to emotional wreckage is nothing short of breathtaking.

The TV series? I couldn’t get past season one. If you loved it, I respect your journey, but yeah… not my thing. The movie, though? Absolute must-watch.

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Train to Busan (2016) – Zombies? Cool. Bawling like a child with a zombie movie? Unexpected.

When I sat down to (finally) watch Train to Busan, I thought I was getting a fun zombie thriller—well, to my defense, it was titled in Brazil, Invasão Zumbi (which literally means Zombie Invasion). I didn’t even know the original title was Train to Busan until later, when I realized, Oh, wait, it’s about that train—the one that runs from the North to the South of South Korea, kind of like an express route. And well, that got me curious enough to watch it.

What I didn’t expect was to bawl like a baby by the end. This movie is pure chaos—fast zombies, intense action, and a train that becomes a battleground for survival—but the real horror isn’t even the undead.

It’s the living. The people. The way selfishness spreads faster than the infection itself. The way you start rooting for strangers and hating other passengers more than the actual zombies. And then, just when you think you’re emotionally prepared… you’re not. You never are.

Oh, and if you need an extra incentive to watch it? Gong Yoo—yes, the insanely attractive recruiter from Squid Game—is the lead. You’re welcome.

And while we’re at it, Ma Dong-seok (aka Don Lee) absolutely steals the show. You might recognize him from Eternals, but this is where he truly shines—as a tough, no-nonsense dad who punches zombies like they owe him money.

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Kill Boksoon (2023) – John Wick's vibes but make it a badass mom

You like stylish action? You like morally complex assassins? You like a female lead who’s an absolute legend? Kill Boksoon is for you.

It’s about a hitwoman who’s at the top of her game, except, her real challenge isn’t taking down enemies, it’s being a single mom to a teenage daughter (which, let’s be honest, is probably harder than being an assassin).

However, what makes this movie special is that it isn’t just about the fights (which, by the way, are incredible). It’s about power, performance, and the pressures of the entertainment industry—yes, including K-pop. The way it (not so) subtly critiques how image and branding control everything makes it way more than just an action flick.

Also, Jeon Do-yeon is unreal in this role. Bow down. She’s been killing it in K-dramas and movies for decades, and this film is just another reminder of why she’s an industry icon.

And if you need another reason to watch? Sul Kyung-gu, a living legend in Korean cinema, is in it too. The man is a force.

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Okja (2017) – Capitalism, but make it personal

Okay, this one’s Bong Joon-ho again (because the man doesn’t miss), and it’s the closest thing this list has to wholesomeness—but don’t be fooled. Okja starts out feeling like a whimsical adventure about a girl and her adorable giant super-pig… and then it smacks you in the face with a brutal critique of capitalism, corporate greed, and the food industry.

It’s heartwarming, it’s devastating, and it will make you reevaluate everything about the way the world works. And just when you think, oh, maybe this one will have a happy ending—lol. Bong Joon-ho says no.

And yes, Tilda Swinton and Jake Gyllenhaal are in this, playing absolutely unhinged villains. But the real star? Ahn Seo-hyun. She was 13 years old when she carried this entire film on her back, and she delivers one of the best child performances I’ve ever seen.

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Final thoughts on Korean Movies

Korean cinema isn’t just good, it’s on a whole different level. These (and other) Korean films don’t just entertain—they rip into societal issues, leave you emotionally wrecked, and make you think long after the credits roll. If you loved Parasite, these five movies might be your next obsession.

So, which one are you watching first? Or better yet—are you ready to never emotionally recover from Oldboy?