Emotional torment is a form of mental anguish. Characters in films find themselves entangled in a series of misunderstandings and irresolvable conflicts: facing false accusations, enduring abuse, ostracism, or misunderstandings. Watching heart-wrenching films prepares you for emotionally charged yet captivating psychological moments. Don’t hesitate—dive into the top 10 most heart-wrenching Korean films of all time, filled with painful yet unforgettable scenes.
1 Peppermint Candy (1999)
Peppermint Candy (1999)
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
Release Date: January 1, 1999
Genre: Psychological, Biography
Runtime: 129 minutes
Country: South Korea
Director: Chang-dong Lee
Starring: Kyung-gu Sol, Moon So-Ri, Kim Yeo-Jin, Se-beom Park
Notable Awards: Best Film at the Cannes Film Festival
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Trailer:
Peppermint Candy vividly portrays the harsh struggles of a South Korean man during that era. Its unique, vivid storytelling reveals how a brutal history reshaped individuals.
The film takes us through pivotal moments in Yong Ho’s life, mirroring tumultuous historical events: the Gwangju Uprising, students brutally tortured by police under the dictatorship, and more.
Yong Ho’s iconic suicide scene on the train tracks is now referenced in modern Korean TV shows. This masterpiece by Lee Chang-dong remains a pinnacle of Korean cinema.
2 Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War (2004)
Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War (2004)
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Release Date: February 3, 2000
Genre: War, Action
Runtime: 148 minutes
Country: South Korea
Director: Kang Je-gyu
Starring: Jang Dong-gun, Won Bin, Lee Eun-ju, Kong Hyeong-jin, Lee Yeong-ran, Jeon Jae-hyeong, etc.
Notable Awards: Blue Dragon Film Award, Baeksang Arts Award, Best Film at the Asia-Pacific Film Festival, etc.
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Trailer:
Set in 1950s Seoul, the film depicts brothers Lee Jin-tae and Lee Jin-seok, from a poor but loving family. Jin-tae works as a shoeshiner to support his brother’s university education.
“Tae Guk Gi” captivated over 11 million viewers in South Korea alone, becoming one of the highest-grossing films in Korean cinematic history.
3 Kim Ji-young: Born 1982 (2019)
Kim Ji-young: Born 1982 (2019)
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
Release Date: October 9, 2019
Genre: Psychological, Romance
Runtime: 120 minutes
Country: South Korea
Director: Kim Do-Young
Starring: Jung Yoo Mi, Gong Yoo, Park Sung Yun, Kim Mi Kyung
Notable Awards: Grand Bell Award for Best Actress, Best New Director in Film Category
Watch Link: Netflix
Trailer:
Adapted from the 2016 bestselling novel, this film resonated widely with readers. Kim Ji-young (played by Jung Yoo Mi), a 30-year-old woman, faces gender discrimination at home, school, and work.
One day, after her mother, sister, and a friend pass away, Ji-young transforms into someone else, feeling trapped and losing her voice and soul. Jung Dae-hyun (Gong Yoo), her husband, witnesses her pain and strives to support her.
4 Late Blossom (2011)
Late Blossom (2011)
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
Release Date: February 17, 2011
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Runtime: 117 minutes
Country: South Korea
Director: Chu Chang Min
Starring: Lee Sun Jae, Yoon So Jung, Kim Soo Mi, Song Jae Ho
Notable Awards: Blue Dragon Film Award for Best Supporting Actress
Trailer:
Love is sacred and beautiful, evoking sacrifice, heart-fluttering moments, and nostalgia. It’s about finding someone to walk through life with, leaving no regrets.
The film portrays love as daily care, compassion, and acceptance. It captures the essence of what people seek in love: simple peace, shared memories, and cherishing life’s beauty together.
5 The Way Home (2002)
The Way Home (2002)
IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
Release Date: April 5, 2002
Genre: Family Drama
Runtime: 87 minutes
Country: South Korea
Director: Lee Jeong-hyang
Starring: Kim Eul-boon, Yoo Seung-ho, etc.
Notable Awards: Grand Bell Award for Best Film, Baeksang Arts Award – Daesang in Film Category, Best Young Actor in International Film, etc.
Watch Link: Vieon
Trailer:
Sang-woo, a mischievous city boy, moves to the countryside to live with his mute, elderly grandmother after his parents’ divorce. Initially shocked by the rustic lifestyle, he constantly torments his grandmother. Eventually, he realizes her boundless love and sacrifices, refusing to leave her.
6 The Crucible (2011)
The Crucible (2011)
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Release Date: September 22, 2011
Genre: Psychological, Romance
Runtime: 125 minutes
Country: South Korea
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Starring: Jung Yu Mi, Gong Yoo, Kim Ji Young, Kim Hyun Soo, Jung In-Seo, etc.
Notable Awards: Blue Dragon Film Award for Best Music
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Trailer:
Based on a 2006 Gwangju appeal trial, a teacher at Inhwa School was convicted of assaulting a 13-year-old deaf girl, receiving a one-year sentence. This sparked public outrage due to the lenient punishment.
Writer Gong Ji-young’s novel exposed sexual assault cover-ups and sought justice for victims. The film follows teacher Kang In-ho, who uncovers staff abuses at a school for the deaf, highlighting vulnerabilities faced by disabled women and girls in South Korea.
7 I Can Speak (2017)
I Can Speak (2017)
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
Release Date: September 21, 2017
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Runtime: 120 minutes
Country: South Korea
Director: Kim Hyun-seok
Starring: Na Moon-hee, Lee Je-hoon
Notable Awards: Best Actress in Seoul, Top 10 Films of the Year by Korean Film Critics Association, Blue Dragon Film Award for Best Actress, etc.
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Trailer:
An elderly woman constantly reports local issues to authorities. She befriends a civil servant who teaches her English, eventually helping her address a painful past.
Ok-boon, known for filing over 8,000 complaints, forms an unlikely bond with Min-jae, a new officer. The film attracted over 2.86 million viewers, becoming a Chuseok holiday hit.
8 The Yellow Sea (2010)
The Yellow Sea (2010)
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Release Date: October 21, 2010
Genre: Psychological, Romance
Runtime: 140 minutes
Country: South Korea
Director: Na Hong Jin
Starring: Ha Jung-woo, Jo Sung Ha, Kim Yoon Suk, etc.
Notable Awards: Asian Film Award for Best Actor, Baeksang Arts Award for Best Actor, etc.
Watch Link: Updating
Trailer:
Gu Nam, a taxi driver in China, is hired to assassinate a professor in South Korea, hoping to find his missing wife. Upon arrival, he’s framed for murder, sparking a desperate fight for survival.
9 Oasis (2002)
Oasis (2002)
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Release Date: August 9, 2002
Genre: Psychological, Romance
Runtime: 140 minutes
Country: South Korea
Director: Lee Chang-Dong
Starring: Moon So-ri, Kyung-gu Sol, Nae-sang Ahn
Notable Awards: Best Film, Marcello Mastroianni Award, Blue Dragon Film Award for Best New Actress, etc.
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Trailer:
This film celebrates honesty through the love of two socially isolated individuals. Directed by Lee Chang-dong, it won five awards at the 2002 Venice Film Festival, portraying a man with mild intellectual disability and a woman with severe cerebral palsy.
10 The Attorney (2013)
The Attorney (2013)
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
Release Date: December 18, 2013
Genre: Psychological, Romance
Runtime: 127 minutes
Country: South Korea
Director: Yang Woo-seok
Starring: Song Kang‑ho, Im Si‑wan, Kwak Do‑won
Notable Awards: Top 2 highest-grossing film in 2013, Best Film at Baeksang Arts Awards, Best New Director for Yang Woo-seok
Watch Link: Updating
Trailer:
Set during South Korea’s 1980s political turmoil, the film echoes the “Burim Case,” where students were wrongfully imprisoned and tortured. It honors President Roh Moo-hyun’s role in their release.
These top 10 heart-wrenching Korean films offer profound emotional journeys. Don’t miss them—you might find echoes of your own experiences. Emotions are complex; let these films touch your heart. Enjoy your cinematic adventure!
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