What Makes Korean Cinema So Unique and Why Everyone Is Falling in Love With It

Korean films are deeply distinctive and unlike any movies from other countries.

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The Rise of Global Interest in Korean Cinema

Korean cinema has always had devoted fans, especially those who grew up with Park Chan-wook's "Oldboy" and the refined works of Kim Ki-duk. However, until recently, its audience outside South Korea was limited to a niche group of cinephiles.

Mass audiences were often deterred by the signature intensity and unique comedic style of these films. Then, in 2016, director Yeon Sang-ho’s debut zombie thriller "Train to Busan" hit theaters and changed everything.

This film proved that a zombie movie could be thrilling, intelligent, and moderately humorous all at once. What truly captivated audiences was its heartfelt sincerity—a quality rarely found in Western cinema—felt in every frame.

The success of just one film sparked a snowball effect. Following "Train to Busan," other Korean directors began gaining international acclaim. That same year, "The Handmaiden" marked Park Chan-wook’s return. Two years later, Lee Chang-dong’s "Burning," based on a Haruki Murakami story, received critical acclaim at Cannes.

The pinnacle came with Bong Joon-ho’s "Parasite" sweeping the 2020 Oscars. The film won six awards and became the first foreign-language film ever to win Best Picture.

The phenomenal success of series like "Squid Game," "Sea of Tranquility," and "Hellbound" also proved that Korean dramas are much more than just typical soap operas about relationships among attractive young people.

What Makes Korean Cinema So Distinctive

Korean films fundamentally differ from Western ones. Their creators boldly break away from conventional genre norms, partly because the country’s film industry developed relatively late and with minimal influence from traditional genre conventions. Here are some unique traits that have made Korean cinema beloved worldwide.

1. Unpredictable Endings

Korean cinema blurs genre boundaries, making it difficult for viewers to predict what will happen next. For example, "Parasite" and "Squid Game" are wild blends of drama, thriller, mystery, and unexpectedly, comedy.

This trait applies to virtually every Korean film, from Kim Ki-duk’s classic "The Isle" to Lee Kwon’s recent horror "Door Lock." Korean cinema masterfully combines brutality with tenderness, gore with humor—a paradox filled with charm and freshness.

For instance, Kim Ji-woon’s western "The Good, the Bad, the Weird" borrows Western genre tropes but infuses them with distinctly Asian humor, which we’ll explore shortly. The result is a film unlike any other, likely to shock unprepared viewers but unforgettable due to its wild mix.

2. Visuals That Are Both Beautiful and Meaningful

Koreans are true masters of aesthetically crafted shots. Yet this beauty serves a purpose: helping directors convey deeper themes. "Parasite" is a prime example, where each location acts as an allegory reflecting various meanings.

Subtle details tell the story: characters often navigate stairs symbolizing social hierarchy. The poor descend, while entering the wealthy home requires climbing uphill. Color schemes also indicate social status—the affluent home bathed in warm tones contrasts with the blue and green shades of the impoverished slums.

An even more vivid example is the iconic imagery from "Squid Game." The show’s striking visual style attracted attention from the trailer stage: players wear turquoise tracksuits contrasting sharply with the guards’ crimson uniforms.

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These colors are purposeful: the players’ outfits resemble school gym uniforms worn by Korean children, while the opposing colors on the wheel symbolize players’ fear of the guards and their contrasting roles.

3. Korean Films Engage Viewers Without Repulsion

As mentioned earlier, Korean films of previous decades were not for the faint-hearted. Films like Park Chan-wook’s "Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance" (2002) and "Oldboy" (2003), or Kim Ji-woon’s "I Saw the Devil" (2010), are brutally violent stories featuring relentless torture and bloodshed.

Modern directors also don’t shy away from depicting self-harm: even mainstream hits like "Squid Game" include scenes with crushed fingers and bleeding wounds. At first glance, this approach might seem off-putting.

But it’s more nuanced. Hollywood censorship often limits explicit content, whereas Korean filmmakers are emotionally open and direct. They approach topics like sexual perversions and violence—taboo in Western culture—with less hesitation.

Additionally, Korean culture tends to exaggerate emotions. When suffering is shown, it’s portrayed with vivid realism, close-ups, and an emphasis on the most unsettling or intimate details.

4. Korean Actors’ Emotions Are Easily Readable and Universally Understood

This signature Korean expressiveness is also evident in acting styles. Western audiences used to subtler performances might initially find Korean actors’ heightened expressions surprising. But this is standard: actors portray anger, surprise, or joy at 11 out of 10, speaking unnaturally and dramatically suffering.

Korean actors often face criticism in the West for overacting, yet their performances are captivating. The raw emotions convey sincerity, which naturally draws viewers in.

Moreover, this expressive style serves as a universal language, easily understood by audiences worldwide.

5. Korean Cinema Explores Social Inequality

South Korea faces rapidly growing inequality and unemployment. It’s no surprise that nearly every other film metaphorically addresses the economic divide between rich and poor.

In "Parasite," Bong Joon-ho vividly depicts how Korea’s hierarchical social structure forces people to live parasitically off one another. Previously, he directed the post-apocalyptic thriller "Snowpiercer," set on a train where the wealthy occupy the front cars and the proletariat the rear.

Yeon Sang-ho’s "Train to Busan" also includes social commentary: if the characters had united beyond class barriers, fewer lives might have been lost.

In "Squid Game," no one forced the characters into the deadly survival game—they were trapped by a brutal system, drowning in debt and desperate to survive. This theme resonates not only in Korea but globally.

Yet many Korean films, including "Parasite," harbor hope for positive change. Some directors even influence society through their work.

For example, Hwang Dong-hyuk, director of "Squid Game," made the 2011 drama "A Hard Day" about physical and sexual abuse of children in schools. Based on a real case where perpetrators escaped punishment, the film sparked public outrage, leading authorities to abolish the statute of limitations on sexual crimes against children and disabled individuals.

6. Rarely Does a Korean Film Lack Humor

Even the most intense and dark Korean films always include moments of humor. Western viewers might find this humor unexpected or misplaced.

However, this playful subversion of expectations effectively pushes audiences out of their comfort zones. Once relaxed, viewers begin to appreciate Koreans’ unique sense of humor:

"— Honey, the 'Send' button is our red button! We threaten to press it, and people do whatever we want. We’re exactly like North Korea!"

Quote from "Parasite."

In short, if you’re tired of American, European, or Russian films or simply crave something fresh, diving into Korean cinema is a must. It’s original, paradoxical, and widely popular. Most importantly, South Korean creators are extraordinarily talented, and their works brim with energy and a fresh perspective.

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