Korean movies have become popular for many reasons, including interesting plots, high-quality cinematography, and the influence of the Korean Wave (Hallyu). Films like Parasite have made a significant impact on the global film industry.
Now, a long list of Korean movies is waiting for you to explore, especially thanks to streaming platforms. The question is, what to watch.
Here is a list of the top 15 highest-grossing Korean movies of all time. I understand that popular movies don’t necessarily mean good movies. However, when more than 20% of the Korean population watches certain films, it certainly says something.
The list is ordered by the number of admissions, not by gross income (you’ve heard of inflation, right?). Also, these figures represent admissions in South Korea, not worldwide. The numbers are officially provided by the Korean Film Council’s KOBIS (Korea Box-office Information System).
16. A Taxi Driver (2017)
- Total Admissions: 12,186,998
- Cast: Song Kang-ho, Thomas Kretschmann, Yoo Hae-jin, Ryu Jun-yeol
- Director: Jang Hoon
- Original Title (Hangul): 택시운전사 /taek-si un-jeon-sa/
- Genre: Drama, History
- Running Time: 137 minutes
- Rating: IMDb 7.9 / Rotten Tomatoes 97%
- Media Rating: KMRB 15+ / MPAA NR
- Awards: Best Film at the Daejong Film Awards, Best Actor at the Blue Dragon Film Awards, and more
A Taxi Driver is a historical drama based on real events surrounding the 1980 Gwangju Democratization Movement.
In May 1980, Kim Man-seob (Song Kang-ho), a taxi driver in Seoul struggling to support his family, accepts a high-paying fare to drive a foreign journalist to Gwangju. The passenger turns out to be Jürgen Hinzpeter (Thomas Kretschmann), a German reporter determined to document what is happening in the city amid growing political unrest.
As they enter Gwangju, Man-seob gradually realizes the gravity of the situation, witnessing violent military crackdowns on civilians. Initially motivated by money, he becomes emotionally involved as he encounters local citizens, including college student Gu Jae-sik (Ryu Jun-yeol) and fellow driver Hwang Tae-sool (Yoo Hae-jin). Faced with danger and moral choices, Man-seob must decide whether to flee or help ensure the truth reaches the outside world.
Good to Know
The character of the German journalist is based on real-life reporter Jürgen Hinzpeter, whose footage played a crucial role in revealing the Gwangju events to the international community.
15. Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days (2019)
- Total Admissions: 12,227,000
- Cast: Ha Jung-woo, Ju Ji-hoon, Kim Hyang-gi, Ma Dong-seok, Kim Dong-wook
- Director: Kim Yong-hwa
- Original Title (Hangul): 신과함께-인과 연 /sin-gwa-ham-kke, in-gwa yeon/
- Genre: Fantasy, Drama
- Running Time: 142 minutes
- Rating: IMDb 7.1 / Rotten Tomatoes 77%
- Media Rating: KMRB 12+ / MPAA NR
- Awards: Best Technical Award (VFX) at the Daejong Film Awards and more
Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days is the second installment in the Along with the Gods series and continues the fantasy epic rooted in Korean mythology and the afterlife.
As Kim Su-hong (Kim Dong-wook) arrives in the afterlife as a vengeful spirit, the three guardians, Gang-rim (Ha Jung-woo), Hae-won-maek (Ju Ji-hoon), and Deok-choon (Kim Hyang-gi), must guide him through the seven trials of hell within 49 days. Su-hong’s case proves unusually complex, forcing the guardians to confront not only his past sins, but also their own long-buried memories.
Meanwhile, in the human world, the household god Seong-ju (Ma Dong-seok) protects Heo Chun-sam from a powerful spirit. As past lives, unresolved grudges, and karmic ties are revealed, the guardians’ true identities and their connection to Su-hong come to light, leading to an emotional reckoning that binds fate, punishment, and redemption together.
Good to Know
The concept of the “49 days” comes from Korean Buddhist belief, which holds that a soul undergoes judgment during the 49 days following death before being reincarnated or sent to the afterlife.
14. King and the Clown (2005)
- Total Admissions: 12,302,831
- Cast: Kam Woo-sung, Lee Jun-gi, Jung Jin-young
- Director: Lee Joon-ik
- Original Title (Hangul): 왕의 남자 /wang-ui nam-ja/
- Genre: Drama, History
- Running Time: 119 minutes
- Rating: IMDb 7.3 / Rotten Tomatoes 88%
- Media Rating: KMRB 15+ / MPAA NR
- Awards: Winning 7 awards, including Best Film at the Daejong Film Awards, and many more
King and the Clown is a historical drama loosely inspired by real figures from the Joseon Dynasty, particularly King Yeonsan, one of Korea’s most notorious rulers.
During the Joseon era, wandering street performers Jang-saeng (Kam Woo-sung) and Gong-gil (Lee Jun-gi) are arrested after mocking the royal court through satirical performances. Instead of being executed, they are brought before King Yeonsan (Jung Jin-young), who is both amused and intrigued by their fearless humor. Impressed, the king allows them to perform at court, where their sharp satire openly ridicules corrupt officials and royal scandals.
As their popularity grows, Gong-gil attracts the king’s obsessive attention, intensifying Yeonsan’s jealousy, paranoia, and cruelty. Jang-saeng, caught between protecting Gong-gil and surviving the increasingly dangerous court politics, struggles to maintain their freedom. What begins as comic entertainment gradually descends into tragedy, revealing the destructive nature of absolute power and the fragile line between performance, desire, and survival.
Good to Know
Although based on historical figures, the relationship dynamics and performers are fictionalized, making the film a “faction” work that blends history with dramatic interpretation.
13. Masquerade (2012)
- Total Admissions: 12,324,062
- Cast: Lee Byung-hun, Ryu Seung-ryong, Han Hyo-joo
- Director: Choo Chang-min
- Original Title (Hangul): 광해, 왕이 된 남자 /gwang-hae, wang-i doin nam-ja/
- Genre: Drama, History
- Running Time: 131 minutes
- Rating: IMDb 7.8 / Daum 7.99
- Media Rating: KMRB 15+ / MPAA NR
- Awards: 15 Awards at Daejong International Film Awards (the film with the most wins in the Awards’ history), Best Picture, Best Director at Baeksang Arts Awards, and more
Masquerade is a faction film (fact + fiction) that borrows real historical figures from the reign of King Gwanghaegun.
In the eighth year of King Gwanghaegun’s reign, a time of extreme turmoil due to power struggles and disputes over the throne, King Gwanghae (Lee Byung-hun) becomes increasingly violent, driven by anger and fear of those plotting against his life. He orders his Chief Royal Secretary, Heo Gyun (Ryu Seung-ryong), to find a double to face the threats in his place. Heo Gyun discovers Ha-seon (again, Lee Byung-hun), a popular entertainer known for his comedic talent and striking resemblance to the king.
Later, due to the King’s sudden medical condition, Ha-seon continues impersonating the king. Unlike the insensitive and violent Gwanghae, Ha-seon’s warm and humane demeanor begins to stir the court. As Ha-seon starts to express his own voice, Heo Gyun becomes increasingly anxious about the changing situation.
Good to Know
Historically, this period coincides with the time when Do Min-jun arrives on Earth in the popular K-drama “My Love from the Star.”
🎬 Pro Tip: Go Behind the Scenes
While you’re in South Korea, why not see how K-content is actually made? This [MBC Drama Studio 1-Day Tour] is a great way to get a behind-the-scenes look at the industry.
- Live Rehearsals: Choose to watch an actual drama or King of Masked Singer rehearsal.
- Explore the Sets: Visit the MBC Dream Center (Goyang) and Sangam HQ.
- Star Park: See celebrity handprints and the live Garden Radio studio.
👉 Check Prices & Rehearsal Schedules Here
12. The Roundup (2022)
- Total Admissions: 12,693,415
- Cast: Ma Dong-seok, Son Suk-ku, Choi Gwi-hwa
- Director: Lee Sang-yong
- Original Title (Hangul): 범죄도시2 /beom-joe-do-si 2/
- Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
- Running Time: 106 minutes
- Rating: IMDb 7.0 / Daum 8.0
- Media Rating: KMRB 15+ / MPAA NR
The Roundup is the sequel to The Outlaws (범죄도시, 2017). Detective Ma Seok-do (Ma Dong-seok) travels to Vietnam to extradite a suspect in a major crime case. But, he soon finds himself caught up in a series of gruesome murders of Korean tourists by a vicious killer named Kang Hae-sung (Son Suk-ku).
Detective Ma and his team must race against time to stop Kang before he kills again, but things are not going as planned.
Good to Know
1. Son Suk-ku has become a hot celebrity thanks to the continuous success of this movie and K-drama, My Liberation Notes.
2. The Roundup is a crime-action movie series. Ma Dong-seok mentioned that he plans to film this series at least up to 8 movies. The 3rd one, The Roundup: No Way Out, was released in 2023, and the 4th one, The Roundup: Punishment, was released in 2024. Both have garnered more than 10 million admissions, with the 4th still counting.
A Quick Tip from a Local
If you love movies as much as I do, you know that “electric” feeling of being in a packed theater. There’s something special about sharing a collective gasp during the shaman rituals in Exhuma or losing it laughing at Yu Hae-jin’s perfect comedic timing. If you’re spending time in Busan, it’s worth catching a film at the Busan Cinema Center, the home of the Busan International Film Festival. Even if you don’t speak the language, the atmosphere in the “City of Film” is an experience you won’t forget.
11. Assassination (2015)
- Total Admissions: 12,707,237
- Cast: Jun Ji-hyun, Lee Jung-jae, Ha Jung-woo, Cho Jin-woong
- Director: Choi Dong-hoon
- Original Title (Hangul): 암살 /am-sal/
- Genre: Action, Drama, Historical
- Running Time: 140 minutes
- Rating: IMDb 7.2 / Daum 8.5
- Media Rating: KMRB 15+ / MPAA NR
- Awards: Best Picture at Baeksang Arts Awards and Blue Dragon Film Awards, Best Actress at Daejong International Film Award and more
The No. 10 movie of the top 15 highest-grossing Korean movies of all time is Assassination.
The story of Assassination revolves around a group of Korean resistance fighters who plan to assassinate key Japanese figures in Korea during the 1930s. The main characters include Ahn Ok-yun (Jun Ji-hyun) who is a sniper, Hawaii Pistol (Lee Jung-jae), an explosives expert, and Chu Sang-ok (Ha Jung-woo), a double agent.
This Korean movie portrays the struggles of Korean independence fighters trying to resist Japanese occupation.
10. Miracle in Cell No.7 (2013)
- Total Admissions: 12,812,186
- Cast: Ryu Seung-ryong, Kal So-won, Park Shin-hye, Oh Dal-su, Jung Jin-young, Park Won-sang, Kim Jung-tae, Jung Man-sik
- Director: Lee Hwan-kyung
- Original Title (Hangul): 7번방의 선물 /7 beon-bang-ui seon-mul/
- Genre: Drama, Comedy
- Running Time: 127 minutes
- Rating: IMDb 8.1 / Daum 8.7
- Media Rating: KMRB 15+ / MPAA NR
- Awards: Best Actor at Baeksang Arts Awards and Daejong International Film Award and more
Miracle in Cell No. 7 is a heartwarming Korean film that tells the story of a mentally challenged man, who is wrongfully accused of a crime he didn’t commit.
Lee Yong-gu (Ryu Seung-ryong) has an intellectual disability, but he is a kind-hearted man and he loves his young daughter Ye-sung (Kal So-won). When Yong-gu is falsely accused of a heinous crime, he is wrongfully imprisoned in Cell No. 7, a high-security prison.
Inside the prison, he goes through harsh treatment from both inmates and guards. However, he quickly becomes friends with his cellmates, and they help him smuggle Ye-sung into the prison so that he can see her.
Despite the unrealistic story, the heartwarming plot, amazing acting, and humor contributed to the success of this Korean movie. This movie has been remade in Turkye, Phillippines, and Indonesia.
🎬 Beyond the Big Screen: My Personal Recommendations (Part 1)
If you enjoyed these record-breaking movies, you’ll love diving deeper into the world of K-dramas.
Binge-Watch Next: I’ve curated a list of the [10 Best Korean Dramas on Netflix].
9. The Thieves (2012)
- Total Admissions: 12,984,701
- Cast: Kim Yoon-seok, Kim Hye-soo, Lee Jung-jae, Jun Ji-hyun, Simon Yam, Kim Hae-sook, Oh Dal-su, Kim Soo-hyun
- Director: Choi Dong-hoon
- Original Title (Hangul): 도둑들 /do-duk-deul/
- Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime
- Running Time: 135 minutes
- Rating: IMDb 6.8 / Daum 7.9
- Media Rating: KMRB 15+ / MPAA NR
- Awards: Best Supporting Actress at Daejong International Film Award and more
The Thieves is a Korean heist film that blends action, comedy, and suspense.
The movie follows a group of professional thieves, each with their own unique skills and backgrounds, who come together for a major heist in Macau. The crew includes characters like Popie (Lee Jung-jae), Yenicall (Jeon Ji-hyun), Chewing Gum (Kim Hae-sook), and others.
Their target is a highly valuable diamond called the “Tear of the Sun,” which is kept in a casino vault. To steal it, they must navigate a complex web of deception and betrayal. As the heist unfolds, the thieves face numerous challenges, including rival thieves, corrupt officials, and personal vendettas.
The movie’s mix of suspenseful heist elements and comedic interactions between the characters makes it an entertaining and engaging watch. The Thieves was a commercial success in South Korea and gained international popularity for its stylish action and cast.
The Thieves has one of the most splendid lists of ensemble casts among Korean movies.
8. The Host (2006)
- Total Admissions: 13,019,740
- Cast: Song Kang-ho, Byun Hee-bong, Park Hae-il, Bae Doona, Go Ah-sung
- Director: Bong Joon-ho
- Original Title (Hangul): 괴물 /goe-mul/
- Genre: Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi
- Running Time: 119 minutes
- Rating: IMDb 7.1 / Daum 8.9
- Media Rating: KMRB 12+ / MPAA R
- Awards: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, Best New Actress at Blue Dragon Film Awards, Best Director at Daejong International Film Award, and Best Picture at Baeksang Arts Awards, and more
The Host is the No. 7 movie of the top 15 highest-grossing Korean movies of all time.
The Host begins when a dangerous creature emerges from the Han River in Seoul, South Korea, and begins terrorizing the city’s residents. The creature is a result of toxic chemicals being dumped into the river, leading to its mutation. It kidnaps a young girl named Hyun-seo (Go Ah-sung), leading her family on a desperate mission to rescue her.
The family at the center of the story includes Hyun-seo’s father, Gang-du (Song Kang-ho), her grandfather, Hie-bong (Byun Hee-bong), her aunt, Nam-joo (Bae Doona), and her uncle, Nam-il (Park Hae-il). Together, they embark on a perilous journey to confront the creature and save Hyun-seo.
Good to Know
1. Bong Joon-ho started building his reputation from his previous work, Memories of Murder, but The Host is considered the beginning of the era of Bong Joon-ho.
2. This Korean movie received critical acclaim and became a significant success both in South Korea and internationally. Especially, the monster scene during the bright daytime is one of the best breaking-cliche parts.
7. 12.12: The Day (2023)
- Total Admissions: 13,122,895
- Cast: Hwang Jung-min, Jung Woo-sung, Lee Sung-min
- Director: Kim Sung-su
- Original Title (Hangul): 서울의 봄 /Seoul-ui bom/
- Genre: Drama, History
- Running Time: 141 minutes
- Rating: IMDb 7.7 / Netizens 8.89
- Media Rating: KMRB 12+ / MPAA NR
- Awards: Best Picture and Best Actor at Baeksang Arts Awards, Best Supporting Actor at Asia Film Awards, and more
12.12: The Day is a Korean movie that delves into the real-life events surrounding the 12.12 military coup in South Korea, which happened on December 12, 1979. The film portrays the dramatic and tense power struggle that ensued following the assassination of President Park Chung-hee.
Key military figures, led by General Chun Doo-kwang (Hwang Jung-min), orchestrate a coup against the interim government, leading to an unfortunate shift in the country’s political landscape. The movie captures the intense political maneuvering, personal conflicts between Chun Doo-kwang and Lee Tae-shin (Jung Woo-sung), and the atmosphere of uncertainty and fear that characterized this critical moment in modern South Korean history.
Good to Know
1. Most of the characters in the film are based on real people, but their names have been altered slightly for the story. For example, Chun Doo-kwang represents Chun Doo-hwan, and Lee Tae-shin stands in for Jang Tae-wan.
2. The main character of the movie, modeled after Chun Doo-hwan, is widely considered one of the worst presidents in South Korean history, if not the worst.
6. Veteran (2015)
- Total Admissions: 13,414,484
- Cast: Hwang Jung-min, Yoo Ah-in, Yoo Hae-jin, Oh Dal-su
- Director: Ryoo Seung-wan
- Original Title (Hangul): 베테랑 /be-te-rang/
- Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime
- Running Time: 123 minutes
- Rating: IMDb 7.0 / Daum 8.4
- Media Rating: KMRB 15+ / MPAA NR
- Awards: Best Director at Blue Dragon Film Awards and Baeksang Arts Awards, and more
Veteran is a South Korean action-comedy film directed by Ryoo Seung-wan.
The movie centers around Detective Seo Do-cheol (Hwang Jung-min), a tough and righteous police officer known for his dedication to justice. Seo is determined to bring down Jo Tae-oh (Yoo Ah-in), the 2nd generation chaebol, who is an arrogant criminal.
Thanks to the movie’s thrilling action sequences, charismatic performances, and moments of humor, Veteran was an instant success.
Actor Yoo Ah-in played doing drugs in the movie, and he actually got charged with taking drugs in real life later.
Good to Know
This Korean movie had several famous lines. Among them, “어이가 없네 /eo-i-ga eom-ne/” is still a popular phrase. It means “I can’t believe it,” “It’s ridiculous,” or “That’s rich.” It’s an expression of surprise or disbelief in response to something unexpected or astonishing.
5. Ode to My Father (2014)
- Total Admissions: 14,265,222
- Cast: Hwang Jung-min, Yunjin Kim
- Director: Yoon Je-kyoon
- Original Title (Hangul): 국제시장 /guk-je-si-jang/
- Genre: Drama
- Running Time: 130 minutes
- Rating: IMDb 7.8 / Daum 7.1
- Media Rating: KMRB 12+ / MPAA NR
- Awards: Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Director at Daejong International Film Award, Best Supporting Actor at Blue Dragon Film Awards, and more
Ode to My Father is a Korean drama film. It is a poignant and sweeping family saga that spans several decades of Korean history.
The film tells the life story of Deok-soo (Hwang Jung-min). Deok-soo is a resilient and selfless man who goes through various hardships and sacrifices to provide for his family. Over the years, Deok-soo faces numerous challenges as he works tirelessly to support his family.
You can see the modern history of South Korea through Ode to My Father. This Korean movie is a major box office success because it understands the emotional touching points of Korean people. Interestingly, some Korean movie critics didn’t give Ode to My Father a high score. What do you think? Did you like this movie?
Good to Know
- The store in the movie, Kkotbuine, became a landmark of Gukje Market since it was featured in the film (maybe, too popular.) The store has recently changed to a cafe.
- As you may notice, Hwang Jung-min is the main actor in all three movies: No. 4 Ode to My Father, No. 5 Veteran, and No. 6 12.12: The Day.
🎬 Beyond the Big Screen: My Personal Recommendations (Part 2)
Walk the Scene: Want to see where these blockbusters and famous K-dramas were actually shot? Check out my guide to [20 Iconic K-Drama & Movie Filming Locations] to plan your own cinematic pilgrimage in Korea.
4. Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds (2017)
- Total Admissions: 14,414,658
- Cast: Ha Jung-woo, Cha Tae-hyun, Ju Ji-hoon, Kim Hyang-gi
- Director: Kim Yong-hwa
- Original Title (Hangul): 신과 함께 – 죄와 벌 /shin-gwa ham-kke joe-wha-beol/
- Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Drama
- Running Time: 140 minutes
- Rating: IMDb 7.2 / Daum 7.1
- Media Rating: KMRB 12+ / MPAA NR
- Awards: Best Director at Baeksang Arts Awards, Best Supporting Actress at Blue Dragon Film Awards, and more
The No. 3 movie of the top 15 highest-grossing Korean movies of all time is Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds. It is a Korean fantasy film based on a popular webtoon with the same title.
The film follows the story of Kim Ja-hong (Cha Tae-hyun). He is a firefighter but dies unexpectedly while trying to save a young girl from a burning building. After his death, Ja-hong finds himself in the afterlife, where he is guided by three guardians, Gang-lim (Ha Jung-woo), Haewonmaek (Ju Ji-hoon), and Lee Deok-choon (Kim Hyang-gi). These guardians help souls navigate through seven trials over 49 days to determine their fate in the afterlife.
Ja-hong’s trials take him through various episodes from his life, and he is forced to confront his past actions and their consequences. Along the way, his guardians uncover hidden truths about his life and the circumstances leading up to his death.
Good to Know
1. Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds is the first installment of a two-part series. The second movie, Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days was also a success. It collected more than 12 million admissions.
2. It’s fun to see special appearances of many top-tier Korean actors and actresses in the movie. The list includes Yoo Jun-sang, Lee Jung-jae, Kim Su-ro, Kim Ha-neul, Kim Hae-sook, Lee Geung-young, Kim Min-jong, and Ma Dong-seok.
3. Extreme Job (2019)
- Total Admissions: 16,266,480
- Cast: Ryu Seung-ryong, Lee Hanee, Jin Seon-kyu, Lee Dong-hwi, Gong Myung
- Director: Lee Byeong-heon
- Original Title (Hangul): 극한직업 /geuk-han-jik-eop/
- Genre: Comedy, Action, Crime
- Running Time: 111 minutes
- Rating: IMDb 7.0 / Daum 7.4
- Media Rating: KMRB 15+ / MPAA NR
- Awards: Best Supporting Actor at Daejong International Film Awards and more
Extreme Job combines elements of comedy and action and is known for its humor and entertaining storyline.
The movie follows a bumbling undercover narcotics team consisting of five detectives led by Captain Ko (Ryu Seung-ryong). The team has a poor track record and is known for its clumsiness and ineptitude. In a last-ditch effort to salvage their careers, they decide to open a fried chicken restaurant as a front to surveil a drug trafficking operation.
To their surprise, their restaurant becomes a massive hit with the public, and they quickly gain a reputation for serving the best-fried chicken in town. As their business takes off, they find themselves torn between their duties as police officers and their newfound success as restaurateurs.
Good to Know
The movie was a box office sensation in South Korea. One of the movie’s lines has become a huge hit: ‘지금까지 이런 맛은 없었다. 이것은 갈비인가 통닭인가? /ji-geum-gga-ji i-reon ma-seun eob-seo-da. i-geot-eun gal-bi-in-ga tong-dak-in-ga/’ This is what Captain Ko says when he answers the phone, meaning their fried chicken has an unprecedented taste and it has both tastes of galbi and fried chicken.
2. The King’s Warden (2026)
- Total Admissions: 16,896,020
- Cast: Choi Min-sik, Yoo Hae-jin, Park Ji-hoon, Yoo Ji-tae, Jeon Mi-do
- Director: Jang Hang-jun
- Original Title (Hangul): 왕과 사는 남자 /Wang-gwa Sa-neun Nam-ja/
- Genre: Historical Drama, Period Drama
- Running Time: 117 minutes
- Rating: IMDb 7.1
- Media Rating: KMRB 12+ / MPAA NR
- Awards: Grand Prize at Baeksang Arts Awards, Directors Cut Awards, Gold Cinemato Graphy, and more
The King’s Warden is a poignant historical drama set in 1457 during the Joseon Dynasty, focusing on the tragic exile of the young dethroned monarch, King Danjong.
Following the bloody Gyeyu Jeongnan coup that shakes the political core of the kingdom, the young King Lee Hong-wi (Park Ji-hoon) is stripped of his title and banished to an isolated valley. Meanwhile, in the remote mountain village of Gwangcheon-gol in Yeongwol, the pragmatic and resourceful village chief Eom Heung-do (Yoo Hae-jin) schemes to turn their local area into a designated exile site. His primary motivation is opportunistic, hoping the government resources provided to host an exiled noble will alleviate the village’s deep economic struggles. However, his plans are completely upended when the exile who arrives turns out to be the deposed teenage king himself.
Tasked with acting as the king’s warden and monitoring his daily life, Heung-do initially treats the arrangement as a purely bureaucratic duty. Yet, as their relationship evolves, the chief develops a profound empathy for him. What starts as a calculation for village survival quickly evolves into an emotionally powerful and dangerous bond, exploring themes of loyalty, compassion, and the human cost of absolute political ambition.
Good to Know
The movie is inspired by the real historical events surrounding King Danjong, the sixth king of Joseon, who was forced to abdicate by his uncle (King Sejo). Following the massive commercial success of the film, historical sites in Yeongwol, such as the exile destination Cheongnyeongpo and the royal tomb Jangneung, experienced an unprecedented wave of cinematic tourism, significantly boosting the local rural economy.
1. The Admiral: Roaring Currents (2014)
- Total Admissions: 17,616,141
- Cast: Choi Min-sik, Ryu Seung-ryong, Cho Jin-woong
- Director: Kim Han-min
- Original Title (Hangul): 명량 /myeong-ryang/
- Genre: Action, Drama, Historical
- Running Time: 127 minutes
- Rating: IMDb 7.1 / Daum 7.8
- Media Rating: KMRB 15+ / MPAA NR
- Awards: Grand Prize at Baeksang Arts Awards, Best Director at Blue Dragon Film Awards, Best Actor and Best Picture at Daejong International Film Awards, and more
The Admiral: Roaring Currents is a South Korean historical war film released in 2014. The movie is based on the real-life Battle of Myeongnyang, a significant naval battle that took place in 1597 during the Japanese invasions of Korea (Imjin War).
The film focuses on the legendary Korean naval commander Admiral Yi Sun-shin (Choi Min-sik). For your information, Yi Sun-Shin was a brilliant strategist and military leader and one of the most admired historical figures in Korean history along with King Sejong.
At the time, Korea was under attack by a powerful Japanese fleet, and Admiral Yi was tasked with defending the nation against overwhelming odds.
The heart of the story revolves around the Battle of Myeongnyang, where Admiral Yi commanded a small fleet of Korean warships, including the “Turtle Ships,” against a vastly superior Japanese armada. The battle is a desperate last stand to protect Korea from the Japanese invasion, and Admiral Yi’s tactical genius and unwavering determination play a crucial role in the outcome.
Good to Know
1. The Admiral: Roaring Currents is the first installment of a three-part series. The second movie, Hansan: Rising Dragon (2022), was also a box office hit with over 7 million admissions.
However, the last movie in the series, Noryang: Deadly Sea (2023), fell short of expectations, collecting only 4.5 million admissions.
2. The famous historical phrase, “아직 신에게는 12척의 배가 남아있사옵니다 /a-jik shin-e-ge-neun yeol-du-cheog-ui bae-ga nam-a-i-ssa-om-ni-da/,” has become a huge hit and parodied in many other media. It means “I still have 12 ships,” which he wrote to King Seonjo asking permission to fight against the Japanese armada with over 300 battleships.
Top 16 Highest-Grossing Korean Movies of All Time (2026 Update)
- The Admiral: Roaring Currents (명량)
- The King’s Warden (왕과 사는 남자)
- Extreme Job (극한직업)
- Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds (신과 함께 – 죄와 벌)
- Ode to My Father (국제시장)
- Veteran (베테랑)
- 12.12: The Day (서울의 봄)
- The Host (괴물)
- The Thieves (도둑들)
- Miracle in Cell No. 7 (7번방의 선물)
- Assassination (암살)
- The Roundup (범죄도시2)
- Masquerade (광해, 왕이 된 남자)
- King and the Clown (왕의 남)
- Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days (신과 함께 – 인과 연)
- A Taxi Driver (택시운전사)
(By the number of admissions in South Korea)
Pin It for Your Korean Movie Reference
Have you seen any Korean movies on the list? What are your favorite Korean movies? Leave a comment below and share yours with other Korean movie fans!
About Author (That’s Me)
I’m the founder of Busanpedia, a Busan native who has spent my life exploring the intersection of Korean tradition and modern culture. As a cinema lover, I make it a point to experience every major release firsthand, including every single film on this Top 15 list. My goal is to use my local perspective and international experience to give you the most authentic, “no-fluff” guides to South Korea.
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