10 Must-Watch Korean Films Released in 2024 (Pt 1 of 2)

2024 was a fun year for Korean dramas. But there were so many TV series that reeled me in that I ended up overlooking a lot of movies or they are still on my list because they are not yet available to the US audience. Have you watched any of these 2024 films?

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(1) Harbin

GENRE: Spy Thriller, Historical period, based on historical events, based on historical figures

STORYLINE: A dramatization of the real-life story of Korean independence activist Ahn Jung-geun, who assassinated Itō Hirobumi, the first Prime Minister of Japan, in 1909.

Main Characters:

• An Jung-Geun (played by Hyun Bin, “Rampant”, , “Crash Landing on You”, “Memories of the Alhambra”, “Ireland”)

Viewership and Rating:

• IMDb: 7 out of 10 stars
• My Drama List: 7.7 out of 10 stars
• ScreenAnarchy: 3.5 out of 5 stars

LINKS OF INTEREST:

THE WEEKEND WARRIOR Jan. 3, 2025 | Reviews and Repertory Round-Up: HARBIN (Well Go USA)

Movie Review: ‘Harbin’ | The Lamplight Review “Centered on the daring exploits of Ahn Jung-geun (Hyun Bin), the film tells the story of a group of Korean freedom fighters plotting the assassination of Ito Hirobumi, the Japanese prime minister and architect of Korea’s annexation.”

TRAILER/TEASER:

Well Go USA Entertainment. “HARBIN.” YouTube, Video, 10 Dec. 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEFkjyj10ec.

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(2) Hidden Face

GENRE: Erotic Thriller, Suspense, Mystery, a remake of 2011 Spanish film “The Hidden Face”

STORYLINE: The fiancée of an orchestra conductor disappears, but left behind a video message. His fiancée was a cellist in the orchestra and she is replaced by another woman. As he searches for her, he becomes involved with the new cellist. Rather than solving the mystery of his fiancée’s disappearance, he finds himself caught up in a complicated web of secrets, desires, and deception with the other woman. But what about his fiancée? Is she dead or alive? Does he care? What about the video message?

Main Characters:

• Seong-Jin (played by Song Seung-Heon, “The Player 1 and 2”, “Black Knight”, “Black”)
• Soo-Yeon (played by Cho Yeo-Jeong, “Parasite”)
• Mi-Joo (played by Park Ji-Hyun, “Flex X Cop”, “Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum”, “Rookie Historian Goo Hae-Ryung”, “The King Loves”)

Viewership and Rating:

• IMDb: 6.3 out of 10 stars
• My Drama List: 6.6 out of 10 stars

LINKS OF INTEREST:

‘Hidden Face’ Review: A Remake That Exceeds Expectations | ZAPZEE – Premier Korean Entertainment Magazine

Review | Hidden Face movie review: Song Seung-heon, Cho Yeo-jeong in Korean erotic mystery thriller | South China Morning Post

TRAILER/TEASER:

@bjust_81. “?Hidden Face Trailer Song Seung Heon on Theater November 20th ?.” YouTube, Video, 23 Oct. 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU5Fa8Nh-yc.

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(3) I, the Executioner

GENRE: Crime, Mystery, Thriller, Police Procedural drama, Action, Comedy, movie sequel

STORYLINE: A serial killer is on the loose and a veteran detective in the Violent Crimes Unit is assisted by a rookie detective who has just joined the team. “Is there such a thing as good murder?” The serial killer fancies himself a vigilante who is simply ensuring that justice is served. The media has nicknamed him “Haechi” (a mythical creature who maintains law and order). This movie is a sequel to “Veteran” (2015).

Main Characters:

• Detective Seo Do-Cheol (played by Hwang Jung-Min, “Veteran”, “Narco Saints”, “Mission: Cross”, “12.12: The Day”, “The Battleship Island”, “Korean Peninsula”, “The Unjust”)
• Rookie Park Sun-Woo (played by Jung Hae-In, “Love Next Door”, “Snowdrop”, “Connect”, “D.P. 1 and 2”, “The Three Musketeers”) “While You Were Sleeping”, “White Nights”)

Viewership and Rating:

• IMDb: 6.4 out of 10 stars
• My Drama List: 7.8 out of 10 stars

LINKS OF INTEREST:

‘I, The Executioner’: Cannes Review | Reviews | ScreenDaily

‘I, the Executioner’ Review: A Korean Serial-Killer-Action-Comedy | Variety

TRAILER/TEASER:

Warner Bros Singapore. “I, The Executioner.” YouTube, Video, 30 Sept. 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Caj3acppTA4.

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(4) Handsome Guys

GENRE: Black Comedy, Horror, Thriller, Supernatural, a remake of 2010 Canadian film “Tucker and Dale vs Evil”

STORYLINE: Don’t you just love it when the life you have always dreamed of finally becomes reality? Two guys, carpenters by vocation, who always wanted to live a quiet and simple life in the country moved to their new home. But as soon as they get to town they are mistaken for being kidnappers. It’s bad enough when your good intentions are mistaken for evil. It’s even worse when you awaken an evil spirit ~ a goat demon ~ that was trapped in the basement of your dream house. Oh! It’s just a demonic spirit capable of destroying the world. Thousands of years ago there was one carpenter who was known for casting out demons. A couple of carpenters living in the countryside ought to be able to handle a goat demon ~ easy, peasy.

Main Characters:

• Jae-Pil (played by Lee Sung-Min, “Mr. Zoo: The Missing VIP”, “A Bloody Lucky Day”, “Shadow Detective 1 and 2”, “Reborn Rich”)
• Sang-Koo (played by Lee Hee-Jun, “Badland Hunters”, “Miss Baek”, “Blood Free”, “Mouse”)

Viewership and Rating:

• IMDb: 6.5 out of 10 stars
• My Drama List: 7.6 out of 10 stars

LINKS OF INTEREST:

Handsome Guys (2024) Review | cityonfire.com

(Movie Review) ‘Handsome Guys’: ‘Accidental’ slasher upends cliches in heartwarming, humorous way | Yonhap News Agency

TRAILER/TEASER:

KDTeaser tv. “Handsome Guys (2024).” YouTube, Video, 27 May 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgBTn9I-Ljw.

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(5) Land of Happiness

GENRE: Legal drama, Political, Military, Historical Period, Historical fiction

STORYLINE: The backdrop for this film is South Korea’s political turmoil in 1979.

• In real history, during that year President Park Chung-hee was assassinated. On December 12, 1979, Major General Chun Doo-hwan led a military coup, declared martial law and took control of the country (“12.12: The Day”). “This period was characterized by political repression, human rights abuses, and the suppression of pro-democracy movements.” (REF: South Korea marks 45 years since 1979 coup and military dictatorship | CNA) According to the real historical record, Kim Jae-gyu, the director of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA), shot the president and he was convicted and executed.

In this film, a secretary is implicated in the President’s assassination and a lawyer, who must defend the accused, is not sure if there can be a fair trial amidst predetermined military justice.

Main Characters:

• Lawyer Jung In-Hoo (played by Cho Jung-Seok, “Captivating The King”, , “The Face Reader”, “The Nokdu Flower”)
• Accused Secretary Park Tae-Joo (played by Lee Sun-Kyun, “Payback: Money and Power”, “Kingmaker”, “Parasite”, “Helpless”)

Viewership and Rating:

• IMDb: 6.2 out of 10 stars
• My Drama List: 8 out of 10 stars
• Letterboxd:  3.2 out of 5 stars

LINKS OF INTEREST:

Land of Happiness (2024) ☆☆(2/4): A tediously fictional presentation of one big trial | Seongyong’s Private Place

(Movie Review) ‘The Land of Happiness’ weaves gripping courtroom drama with 1979 assassination | Yonhap News Agency

TRAILER/TEASER:

Kdrama Princess. “LAND OF HAPPINESS Movie Trailer 1-2(2024) New Korean Movie Jo Jung Suk, Lee Sun Kyun & Yoo Jae Myung.” YouTube, Video, 21 July 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOq8jL2D4Yw.

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