14 Notable Korean Films of 2023: Reviews & Recommendations (Part 1 of 2)

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Korean filmmakers delivered an impressive mix of genres and storytelling styles in 2023, from gripping thrillers to heartfelt romance, horror, comedy, and family dramas. PopGeeks published reviews of fourteen (14) impressive films released that year. Are you looking for your movie night picks? Check out this 2-Part curated list. (1) ”Abroad” is a Korean movie released in 2023, categorized as Mystery, Thriller and Suspense. Taemin and his girlfriend, Min-ji, arrive late at a nearly empty airport in Northern Minnesota to begin a vacation planned around seeing the Northern Lights. Their trip starts poorly when a rude rental car agent refuses to help them, claiming he has already clocked out. Forced to find another option, Min-ji arranges a ride with an elderly driver and a polite young girl who happens to be a K-pop fan. Although the accommodations are nice, Taemin feels uneasy, especially after the dangerous drive through heavy rain and a near collision. Tension grows between the couple, leading to a brief argument before Min-ji goes to shower. While searching for a towel, Taemin hears suspicious noises and sees a van drive away. When Min-ji suddenly disappears, panic sets in. Taemin reports her missing but struggles to communicate with
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14 Notable Korean Films of 2023: Reviews & Recommendations (Part 1 of 2) | PopGeeks.com Forum | Indie Games, Movies, TV, Tabletop & Comics

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[Hotmess]

I like seeing Korean movies that are not only crime or romance. Abroad sounds stressful in a quiet way, which I enjoy more than loud action. The airport part already feels real to me. I also like that the police do not fully trust the boyfriend, because that is how it often goes in foreign settings. Don’t Buy the Seller hits close to home. Online scams are common now, and I respect stories where the victim does not act helpless. Dr. Cheon feels like a fun mix. I usually avoid ghost movies, but the idea of a fake exorcist facing real spirits is interesting. Havana stands out to me because legal dramas are rare in Korean films, and I like slow tension. Hopeless sounds painful but honest. I do not expect comfort from stories like that, only truth. Overall, I see a strong mix of grounded fear and social pressure, which is why Korean films stay memorable to me.

 

[Destiny]

I actually prefer movies with emotions over puzzles, so Hopeless is the one that stayed in my head. A kid trying to protect family and getting punished for it feels unfair, but that is life for many people. I also respect that the gangster character is not shown as a hero with easy answers. Havana also appeals to me because it focuses on listening. A lawyer who doubts a confession and keeps pushing is more interesting than loud courtroom scenes. I’m less excited about Mount Chiak, since group horror films often make everyone act foolish. Still, the mystery around the missing father adds weight. Miss Fortune sounds lighter, and I like stories where women control the plan instead of reacting. I might skip Dr. Cheon because comedy mixed with horror can feel messy to me. Overall, I see a lot of focus on pressure, guilt, and survival, which is why these movies feel closer to real life than many big releases.

 

[I need a hero]

I actually prefer movies with emotions over puzzles, so Hopeless is the one that stayed in my head. A kid trying to protect family and getting punished for it feels unfair, but that is life for many people. I also respect that the gangster character is not shown as a hero with easy answers. Havana also appeals to me because it focuses on listening. A lawyer who doubts a confession and keeps pushing is more interesting than loud courtroom scenes. I’m less excited about Mount Chiak, since group horror films often make everyone act foolish. Still, the mystery around the missing father adds weight. Miss Fortune sounds lighter, and I like stories where women control the plan instead of reacting. I might skip Dr. Cheon because comedy mixed with horror can feel messy to me. Overall, I see a lot of focus on pressure, guilt, and survival, which is why these movies feel closer to real life than many big releases.

 

[Kay]

Legal stories usually feel slow, but Havana seems to avoid that by emphasizing empathy and attention to detail. Watching Jeong Min doubt the confession and push forward reminds viewers that patience and listening matter more than dramatic reveals. Don’t Buy the Seller shares a similar theme of frustration against a failing system, only in a modern context of online crime. Hopeless is raw in portraying struggles in families trapped by abuse and poverty. Abroad is a smaller-scale tension story, relying on atmosphere and isolation to create fear. Dr. Cheon adds humor to the supernatural, keeping the tone playful without removing stakes. Mount Chiak leans into suspense with group dynamics, while Miss Fortune balances crime with family ties. Each movie feels distinct, yet all reflect how everyday life, risk, and decisions carry consequences.

 

[cmoneyspinner]

I like seeing Korean movies that are not only crime or romance. Abroad sounds stressful in a quiet way, which I enjoy more than loud action. The airport part already feels real to me. I also like that the police do not fully trust the boyfriend, because that is how it often goes in foreign settings. Don’t Buy the Seller hits close to home. Online scams are common now, and I respect stories where the victim does not act helpless. Dr. Cheon feels like a fun mix. I usually avoid ghost movies, but the idea of a fake exorcist facing real spirits is interesting. Havana stands out to me because legal dramas are rare in Korean films, and I like slow tension. Hopeless sounds painful but honest. I do not expect comfort from stories like that, only truth. Overall, I see a strong mix of grounded fear and social pressure, which is why Korean films stay memorable to me.

Abroad really had me going.