People are capable of amazing things when forced into unusual circumstances. Finding human strength when there is nothing left and surviving the impossible. Here are six Korean movies showing how the human spirit is not easily defeated.
Which one is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!
1. The Last Princess
What’s It About: Based off the novel Deokhyeongjoo by Kwon Bi-Young, tells the story of Princess Deokhye as the last princess of Korea. The youngest and only daughter of the last king of Joseon. She is taken as a hostage by the Japanese under colonial rule and forced to go to school in Japan. There she meets Kim Jang-Han. He is a her childhood friend that has became an officer in the Japanese army. He is also a part of the Korean resistance movement. Kim Jang-Han’s mission is to bring Princess Deokhye back to South Korea.
Starring: Son Ye-Jin, Park Hae-Il, Yoon Je-Moon
Where To Watch: Amazon Prime, Apple TV
Watch The Trailer Here:
2. 1987: When The Day Comes
What’s It About: University student and activist Park Jong-chul is captured by the police in 1987. The unlawful interrogation by the police, leads to torture and eventually his death. The government and police try to cover up the students death by claiming he had a heart attack. Despite a systematic attempt to silence everyone involved in the case, the truth gets out. This leads to an eruption of public outrage and ordinary students begin to fight for justice.
Starring: Kim Yun-Seok, Ha Jung-Woo, Yu Hae-Jin
Where To Watch: Amazon Prime
Watch The Trailer Here:
3. Malmoe: The Secret Mission
What’s It About: Under Japanese occupation during the 1940’s, Korean people were banned from speaking their own language. Illiterate Pan-Soo does not know how to read or write in Korean. One day he steals the bag of Jung-Hwan, to help pay for his son’s school tuition fees. Jung-Hwan is the son of a wealthy family and also is a representative of the Korean Language Society. After meeting Jung-Haw, Pan-Soo’s life changes drastically. The two men decide to travel across the country to create the first Korean dictionary to help protect the language of Koreans.
Starring: Yu Hae-Jin, Yoon Kye-Sang, Jo Hyun-Do
Where To Watch: Tubi, Rakuten Viki, Amazon Prime
Watch The Trailer Here:
4. A Taxi Driver
What’s It About: In 1980, a German reporter, Peter is working on an assignment. He goes to Seoul but is hearing disturbing reports coming out of Gawng-ju. In Seoul, he meets up with a taxi driver, Kim Man-Seob that is willing to take him to Gwang-ju, South Korea when no other taxi drivers are willing to go. All lines of communications have been cut off from the city and the reporter wants to understand why. There is an uprising starting and students and ordinary citizens are taking part in a large scale demonstration against the government. As time goes on, the situation becomes more and more dangerous for Peter and Kim Man-Seob.
Starring: Song Kang-ho, Thomas Kretschmann, Yu Hae-Jin
Where To Watch: Pluto TV, VUDU, Amazon Prime
Watch The Trailer Here:
5. 71: Into The Fire
What’s It About: Based on the true story of 71 under-trained, under-armed and outgunned student-soldiers that battle hundreds of North Korean soldiers in front of a middle school during the Korean War in 1950. The feared North Korean 766th Unit launches an assault against the young soldiers. For 11 hours, the soldiers defend the Pohang girls’ middle school along the Nakdong River, deemed to be a strategic safe point. Call for aid and support, the young soliders must try to fight through overwhelming circumstances.
Starring: Cha Seung-Won, Kwon Sang-Woo, T.O.P.
Where To Watch: Apple TV
Watch The Trailer Here:
6. My Way
What’s It About: Kim Jun Shik, a Korean works for Japanese Tatsuo Hasegawa’s grandfather in Japanese-occupied Korea. Jun Shik dreams of running in the Tokyo Olympics as a marathon runner. Tatsuo is also a marathon runner. The two have competed running against each other since they were children. War breaks out and the two are forced to enlist in the army. Tatsuo, now a colonel, becomes the head of Jun Shik’s unit in the army. The two men are captured by the Soviets. They run away and are soon captured by the Germans and are separated. The meet again on the shores of Normandy in 1944.
Starring: Jang Dong-Gun, Joe Odagiri, Fan Bingbing
Where To Watch: Tubi, Pluto TV, Amazon Prime
Watch The Trailer Here:
