Some of the best Korean movies 2022 blend action with fantasy, while others mix romance with thrillers. Here are several films that any fan of Korean culture should have on their watchlist.
The Hallyu wave is alive and well, but most people may be focusing on all the new content coming out, instead of gems like the Korean movies 2022, which feature stars from “Squid Game,” “Parasite,” and even “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” in some of the best roles of their careers.
This is the top five films will take you on a wild emotional ride about the meaning of parenthood, the frustration of trying to uncover a mole, and much more. Let’s discover them!
5. ‘Decision to Leave’ – Tang Wei and Park Hae-il
One of the best Korean movies 2022 came from the mind of Park Chan-wook, who is best known for directing the masterpiece “Oldboy.” “Decision to Leave” is the story of a police officer, played by Park Hae-il, who develops feelings for a Chinese immigrant, played by Tang Wei, while investigating the unexpected death of her husband.
Although their relationship never fully turns physical, the interesting part is that the cop suspects that she may be the culprit. Aside from featuring incredible performances and winning accolades, this film was one of the most successful at the South Korean box office in 2022.
4. ‘Emergency Declaration’ – Lee Byung-hun, Im Si-wan, and Song Kang-ho
“Emergency Declaration” is another fantastic entry into the list of the best Korean movies 2022. It features Lee Byung-hun and Im Si-wan, who appeared in the final season of “Squid Game,” as well as Song Kang-ho, who was the male lead in the Oscar-winning film “Parasite.”
In this story, Song plays a veteran police detective who finds out that a terrorist attack is about to take place on Korean flight 501, which is traveling to Hawaii with many innocent passengers on board.
Despite his best efforts, the detective is unable to stop the terrorist from releasing a virus on the plane, and those on board have to find a way to survive.
3. ‘Alienoid’ – Kim Woo-bin, Ryu Jun-yeol, and Kim Tae-ri
Any fan of sci-fi, fantasy, and time-travel would consider this one of the best Korean movies 2022. “Alienoid” is about a war between aliens and humans. Suddenly, a time portal opens up, and the modern soldiers chasing an alien in a human body meet Taoists from the Goryeo era who are looking for a mystical sword.
Kim Woo-bin plays a guard protecting the alien in question, while Ryu Jun-yeol is a Taoist soldier, and Kim Tae-ri controls thunder.
This is the kind of genre-bending that is often not seen in Hollywood films and could sound a bit confusing for people just getting into the Hallyu wave or anyone who wants a low-commitment story. But those who give this one a chance are in for a cliffhanger ending that resolves in the 2024 sequel.
2. ‘Hunt’ – Lee Jung-jae, Kim Nam-gil, and Jung Woo-sung
This entry from the best Korean movies 2022 features Lee Jung-jae, the main lead in “Squid Game,” who is also acting as a director for this project. “Hunt” is about a KCIA Foreign Unit Chief and a Domestic Unit Chief who need to investigate a mole in their agency after the failed assassination of the South Korean president.
However, if they can’t catch the person who leaked the top-secret information that led to this scheme that threatened national security, the suspicion will fall on them. The plot has enough thrilling action and espionage themes to keep anyone’s eyes locked to the screen.
1. ‘Broker’ – Sang Kang-ho, IU, and Gang Dong-won
Although this is one of the best Korean movies 2022, it was made by Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda. Also starring Song Kang-ho, “Broker” tells the story of two men who steal abandoned babies from church boxes and offer them for a price to people who want to adopt.
However, they meet a young mom, played by singer and actress IU, who regrets putting her baby in the church box and wants him back. This emotional story then explores what parenthood means through some fantastic acting.
There’s certainly something for all tastes in this list of the best Korean movies 2022, and they all prove why South Korea is becoming a giant in entertainment even in Western countries.
