7 newly released Korean films thriving as a trailblazer in 2024

It’s almost halfway through 2024, and some of the best films ever made have come from South Korea’s entertainment sector.  These must-see movies, which range from thrilling thrillers to moving dramas, inventive sci-fi, and endearing romances, guarantee to leave you with lifelong memories that last long after the credits have rolled.

1. Exhuma 

Starring: Choi Min Sik, Kim Go Eun, Yoo Hae Jin, Lee Do Hyun

The harrowing story of an affluent Los Angeles family under attack from a wicked supernatural power is told in Exhuma. They seek the assistance of shamans Hwa Rim and Bong Gil in a last-ditch effort to protect their child. But as they investigate further, they learn a chilling truth: ancient spirits stalk their family, adding to the horror.

2. Wonderland 

Starring: Park Bo Gum, Bae Suzy, Choi Woo Shik, Jung Yu Mi, Tang Wei, Gong Yoo

The story of the film centers on Wonderland, a virtual world where, thanks to cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology, people can reunite with loved ones they have lost in the real world. Jeong In is one of the individuals who wants to employ the services; after an incident, her partner goes into a comatose state.

However, a man in his 40s also makes an appointment to see Bai Li, his wife, after he lost her. Then all of a sudden, the technology starts acting strangely and can’t keep up with the demands. They struggle mightily to accept reality when it is forced back into their life.

3. My Name Is Loh Kiwan 

Starring: Song Joong Ki, Choi Sung Eun

The movie chronicles the travels of Loh Kiwan, a defector from North Korea who travels to Belgium in search of asylum. In the abandoned terrain, he is homeless and makes every effort to live by himself. In the midst of his battle, he meets Marie, a person dealing with her own mental scars, and a surprising romance develops.

4. Citizen of a Kind

Starring: Ra Mi Ran, Gong Myung, Yeom Hye Ran, Ahn Eun Jin

The story centers on Deok Hee, who has to apply for a loan almost once after her laundromat burns down, causing her to endure a terrible loss. She finds herself battling to support her children after falling victim to a voice phishing scam that appears to be a kind bank offer. Her luck changes, though, when the phisher who tricked her, Jae Min, phones back and provides important details about the gang that held him captive.

5. Badland Hunters 

Starring: Ma Dong Seok, Lee Hee Joon, Lee Jun Young

The movie’s narrative centers on Seoul, South Korea, which after a catastrophic earthquake turns into a post-apocalyptic wasteland. The unrelenting wasteland hunter Nam San and his companion Choi Ji Wan fight to make ends meet in their village. Trouble starts when Dr. Yang Gi Su, a renegade scientist who undertakes lethal experiments to make mankind immortal, kidnaps Su Na, a villager. Nam San decides to assist and save the victims on his own.

6. The Plot 

Starring: Kang Dong Won, Lee Moo Saeng, Lee Mi Sook, Lee Hyun Wook, Tang Jun Sang

The story revolves around Young Il, the protagonist and skilled murderer. But instead of killing someone the conventional method, he makes elaborate schemes to make a murder appear to be an accident. But as time passes, Young II begins to perceive things as unusual. After a while, he starts to think that he is the victim of a murder that is being covered up as an accident because of a certain set of circumstances.

7. Following (She Died)

Starring:  Shin Hye Sun, Byun Yo Han, Lee El, Jang Sung Bum

In the film, Jung Tae, a real estate agent, engages in an odd pastime of breaking into people’s homes when they’re not there. He walks into their private place and pretends to be someone else for a bit. On the other hand, So Ra, an influencer, becomes his focus one day. All the evidence, however, suggests that he is the murderer; her body is discovered inside the house when he arrives there one day.