Korean movies and web series is gaining immense popularity and acclaim for their unique storytelling, high production value, and engaging performances. From thrilling zombie apocalypses to heartwarming family dramas, these Popular Korean movies and web series offer a diverse range of genres that cater to a wide audience. The best Korean movies and web series offer a diverse range of genres, from heartwarming romance to spine-tingling thrillers and historical dramas.
In this list, we’ve compiled 15 of the best Korean movies and web series that are Must- watch korean movies. Whether you’re a fan of horror, romance, or historical dramas, there’s something for everyone on this list. You’ll find all-time classics and recent releases that are sure to leave a lasting impression. Whether you’re new to Korean entertainment or a seasoned fan, our selection of KW (best Korean Movies & Web Series) has got you covered.
15 best Korean Movies & Web Series to watch
1. Parasite (2019)
Directed by Bong Joon-ho, a thriller Korean movies which is about the class divide in Korea, depicting the lives of a poor family and a wealthy family, and the unexpected turn of events that occur when the two families cross paths.
- Cast: Song Kang-ho, Lee Sun-kyun, Cho Yeo-jeong, Choi Woo-shik, Park So-dam
- Release Date: May 30, 2019
- Duration: 2 hours and 12 minutes
- Genre: Thriller, Drama
- Director: Bong Joon-ho
- Producer: Kwak Sin-ae, Bong Joon-ho
- Where to watch: Hulu, Amazon Prime, Vudu
- IMDB Rating: 8.6/10
Also read: 20 Best Korean Thriller Movies to Watch Online
2. Train to Busan (2016)
It is one of the popular Korean movies about a zombie outbreak on a train, the movie follows the struggle of the passengers on the train as they try to survive the zombie apocalypse and reach their destination.
- Cast: Gong Yoo, Jung Yu-mi, Ma Dong-seok, Kim Su-an
- Release Date: July 20, 2016
- Duration: 1 hour and 58 minutes
- Genre: Horror, Thriller
- Director: Yeon Sang-ho
- Producer: Lee Dong-ha
- Where to watch: Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Vudu
- IMDB Rating: 7.5/10
3. Crash Landing on You (2020)
A popular korean movies that tells the story of a South Korean woman who accidentally lands in North Korea while paragliding and meets a North Korean army officer. The series follows their romance as they try to overcome the cultural and political differences between their countries. It is one of the Must- watch korean movies.
- Cast: Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin, Kim Jung-hyun, Seo Ji-hye
- Release Date: December 14, 2019 – February 16, 2020
- Duration: 16 episodes, 1 hour each
- Genre: Romantic Comedy, Drama
- Director: Lee Jung-hyo
- Producer: Studio Dragon
- Where to watch: Netflix
- IMDB Rating: 8.8/10
4. My Mister (2018)
A heartwarming drama that explores the lives of three brothers and their relationships with each other and the people around them, including a young woman who becomes a source of comfort and support for one of the brothers.
- Cast: Lee Sun-kyun, IU, Lee Ji-ah, Oh Dal-su
- Release Date: March 21, 2018 – May 17, 2018
- Duration: 16 episodes, 1 hour and 10 minutes each
- Genre: Drama
- Director: Kim Won-seok
- Producer: Studio Dragon
- Where to watch: Netflix, Viki
- IMDB Rating: 8.7/10
Also read: 10 Best Korean Dramas to Watch on Disney+ Hotstar
5. Itaewon Class (2020)
A drama about a young ex-convict who opens a bar in the trendy Itaewon neighbourhood of Seoul and seeks revenge against the powerful family that wronged him. The series explores themes of class struggle, discrimination, and ambition.
- Cast: Park Seo-joon, Kim Da-mi, Yoo Jae-myung, Kwon Nara
- Release Date: January 31, 2020 – March 21, 2020
- Duration: 16 episodes, 1 hour and 10 minutes each
- Genre: Drama
- Director: Kim Sung-yoon
- Producer: Showbox
- Where to watch: Netflix
- IMDB Rating: 8.4/10
6. Reply 1988 (2015)
A coming-of-age drama set in the 1980s that follows the lives of five friends and their families living in a Seoul neighbourhood. The series explores themes of friendship, family, and first love, as well as the political and social changes happening in Korea during that time.
- Cast: Lee Hye-ri, Park Bo-gum, Go Kyung-pyo, Ryu Jun-yeol
- Release Date: November 6, 2015 – January 16, 2016
- Duration: 20 episodes, 1 hour and 30 minutes each
- Genre: Drama
- Director: Shin Won-ho
- Producer: CJ E&M
- Where to watch: Netflix, Viki
- IMDB Rating: 8.8/10
7. Memories of Murder (2003)
Based on a true story, this crime drama follows the investigation of a serial killer in a small Korean town in the 1980s. The movie explores the psychological toll of the case on the detectives and the impact of the crime on the community. It is one of the Must- watch korean movies.
- Cast: Song Kang-ho, Kim Sang-kyung, Kim Roe-ha, Park Hae-il
- Release Date: May 2, 2003
- Duration: 2 hours and 12 minutes
- Genre: Crime, Drama
- Director: Bong Joon-ho
- Producer: Sidus Pictures
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Vudu
- IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
Also read: 10 Best Korean Romantic Movies to Watch in Hindi on OTT Platforms
8. Hospital Playlist (2020)
A heartwarming medical drama that centres around a group of doctors who are also friends, working in the same hospital. The series explores their personal and professional lives, as well as the challenges they face as medical professionals.
- Cast: Jo Jung-suk, Yoo Yeon-seok, Jung Kyung-ho, Kim Dae-myung, Jeon Mi-do
- Release Date: March 12, 2020 – May 28, 2020
- Duration: 12 episodes, 1 hour and 20 minutes each
- Genre: Drama, Medical
- Director: Shin Won-ho
- Producer: tvN
- Where to watch: Netflix
- IMDB Rating: 9.1/10
9. The Handmaiden (2016)
A psychological thriller directed by Park Chan-wook, the movie tells the story of a con artist who tries to swindle an heiress by posing as her handmaiden. It is amongst the popular Korean movies that explores themes of deception, sexuality, and power dynamics.
- Cast: Kim Min-hee, Kim Tae-ri, Ha Jung-woo, Cho Jin-woong
- Release Date: June 1, 2016
- Duration: 2 hours and 24 minutes
- Genre: Drama, Thriller
- Director: Park Chan-wook
- Producer: Moho Film
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Vudu
- IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
10. Kingdom (2019)
A historical horror-thriller set during the Joseon dynasty, the series follows a prince who investigates a mysterious outbreak that turns people into zombies. The series explores themes of power struggle, political intrigue, and survival. It is one of the Must- watch korean movies.
- Cast: Ju Ji-hoon, Ryu Seung-ryong, Bae Doona, Kim Sang-ho
- Release Date: January 25, 2019
- Duration: 2 seasons, 12 episodes total, 45 minutes each
- Genre: Historical Drama, Horror
- Director: Kim Seong-hun
- Producer: Netflix
- Where to watch: Netflix
- IMDB Rating: 8.4/10
Also read: Best Romantic Web Series in Hindi on Netflix India in 2023
11. Mr Sunshine (2018)
A historical drama set in the early 1900s, the series follows a Korean man who returns to his home country as a soldier and becomes involved in a resistance movement against the Japanese occupation. The series explores themes of patriotism, loyalty, and love.
- Cast: Lee Byung-hun, Kim Tae-ri, Yoo Yeon-seok, Kim Min-jung
- Release Date: July 7, 2018 – September 30, 2018
- Duration: 24 episodes, 1 hour and 10 minutes each
- Genre: Historical Drama
- Director: Lee Eung-bok
- Producer: Hwa&Dam Pictures
- Where to watch: Netflix
- IMDB Rating: 8.9/10
12. Goblin (2016)
“Goblin” is a fantasy romance drama that tells the story of a goblin and a grim reaper who are looking for a way to end their immortality. The goblin, played by Gong Yoo, has been alive for 939 years and is looking for a bride who can pull out the sword that was stuck in his chest by a god. He believes that the person who can pull out the sword will be his bride and will be able to end his immortality.
- Cast: Gong Yoo, Dong Wook Lee, Kim Go-eun, Yoo In-na
- Release Date: December 2, 2016 – January 21, 2017
- Duration: 16 episodes, each with a runtime of approximately 70 minutes
- Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Drama
- Director: Lee Eung-bok
- Producer: Hwang Jung-hwan
- Where to watch: Netflix, Viki, and other streaming platforms.
- IMDB Ratings: 8.6/10
13. Signal (2016)
A crime thriller about a team of detectives who solve cold cases with the help of a mysterious walkie-talkie that can communicate with the past. The series explores themes of justice, revenge, and the consequences of actions.
- Cast: Lee Je-hoon, Kim Hye-soo, Cho Jin-woong, Jang Hyun-sung
- Release Date: January 22, 2016 – March 12, 2016
- Duration: 16 episodes, 1 hour each
- Genre: Crime, Sci-Fi
- Director: Kim Won-seok
- Producer: CJ E&M
- Where to watch: Netflix, Viki
- IMDB Rating: 8.5/10
14. The Host (2006)
A monster horror movie directed by Bong Joon-ho, the movie tells the story of a family’s fight against a mutant creature that emerges from the Han River and kidnaps their daughter. The movie explores themes of family, government incompetence, and environmental pollution.
- Cast: Song Kang-ho, Byun Hee-bong, Park Hae-il, Bae Doona
- Release Date: July 27, 2006
- Duration: 2 hours
- Genre: Horror, Drama
- Director: Bong Joon-ho
- Producer: Chungeorahm Film
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Vudu
- IMDB Rating: 7.1/10
15. Reply 1994 (2013)
Another coming-of-age drama set in the 1990s, the series follows a group of friends who live in a boarding house in Seoul while attending university. The series explores themes of friendship, family, and cultural identity, as well as the social and political changes happening in Korea during that time.
- Cast: Jung Eun-ji, Seo In-guk, Hoya, Shin So-yul
- Release Date: July 24, 2012 – September 18, 2012
- Duration: 16 episodes, 45 minutes each
- Genre: Drama, Romance
- Director: Shin Won-ho
- Producer: CJ E&M
- Where to watch: Netflix, Viki
- IMDB Rating: 8.3/10
Korean movies and web series have something for everyone, and the 15 KW (best Korean Movies & Web Series) featured in this article are a testament to that. Overall, the reason behind Popular Korean movies and web series in recent years is due to their unique storytelling, high production value, and engaging performances. The above list includes a diverse range of genres, from horror and thriller to romance and historical drama, that are sure to appeal to different tastes and preferences.