Hello everyone and welcome back to another top Korean movies content by EonTalk! Today, I’ve prepared a post introducing the Korean movies that raked in over 10 million audiences at the domestic box office.
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There were a total of 19 Korean films, ranging from a timeframe of 2003 to 2019, that recorded over 10 million at the box office, and although 19 may seem like a lot, keep in mind the number of films that release each year. There are hundreds of movies that release each year, and with that in mind, not even 20 movies in Korean cinema history have reached the 10 million milestone, making the feat that much more incredible.
In today’s post, I’ll be going over the 19 films that came out of Korean cinema that accomplished that achievement, and because there’s a lot to go through, I won’t be giving a detailed synopsis of the movies, but just basic info regarding the movies. Also, please note that the list was compiled in November of 2020. That being said, let’s get right into the list of 19 Korean movies that reached 10 million box office number.
#19
Starting off the list, the #19 film of Korean movies that surpassed 10 million at the box office is the most recent film to release on this list, <Parasite>.
<Parasite> was directed by the legendary Korean director Bong Joon-Ho, who also directed other masterpieces, such as <Memories of Murder>, <Mother>, <Okja>, and <Snowpiercer>. The film starred Song Kang-Ho, Lee Sun-Kyun, Jo Yeo-Jung, Choi Woo-Shik, Park So-Dam, Lee Jung-Eun, and Jang Hye-Jin, and recorded 10,313,145 at the box office.
#18
The #18 movie goes to an older film that released back in 2005, <The King and the Clown>.
Directed by Lee Jun-Ik, who also directed <Sunset in My Hometown>, <Anarchist from Colony>, and <DongJu; The Portrait of A Poet>, <The King and the Clown> had a cast lineup of Gam Woo-Sung, Jung Jin-Young, Kang Sung-Yeon, Lee Jun-Ki, Jang Hang-Sun, Yoo Hae-Jin, Jung Seok-Yong, and Lee Seung-Hoon. This historical drama recorded 10,514,177 at the box office.
#17
Moving along, the #17 movie is another relatively older film, <The Host>.
<The Host> was directed by the same director of the #19 film, Bong Joon-Ho, and is another must-watch movie by the legendary director. This action/thriller/adventure/SF film had a great cast of Song Kang-Ho, Byun Hee-Bong, Park Hae-Il, Bae Doo-Na, and Go Ah-Sung, and had 10,917,400 people show up to watch the film.
#16
The #16 movie goes to the oldest film on this list, the 2003-released <Silmido>.
Directed by Kang Woo-Seok, the man responsible for the films <Fist of Legend>, <Glove>, <Moss>, and <Hanbando>, <Silmido> is a war film starring the likes of Seol Kyung-Gu, Ahn Sung-Ki, Heo Jun-Ho, and Jung Jae-Young. The movie recorded 11,080,000, which is even more incredible considering the time the movie was released! Surely, in this time and day, it would’ve had even more people show up to watch. Okay, maybe not so much in 2021, due to the pandemic, but you know what I mean.
#15
The #15 movie is a film that released back in 2009, <Tidal Wave> aka “Haeundae.”
<Tidal Wave> was directed by Yoon Je-Kyun, who also directed the comedic film <Sex is Zero>, as well as the emotional drama <Ode to My Father>. This disaster film starred the likes of Seol Kyung-Gu, Ha Ji-Won, Park Joong-Hoon, Uhm Jung-Hwa, Lee Min-Ki, Kang Ye-Won, and Kim In-Kwon, and recorded 11,324,958 at the box office.
#14
Moving onto the #14 spot, the #14 movie goes to the 2013 film, <The Attorney>.
<The Attorney> was directed by Yang Woo-Seok, the director of <Steel Rain> as well as the sequel of <Steel Rain>, <Steel Rain 2: Summit>, and starred Song Kang-Ho, Kim Young-Ae, Oh Dal-Soo, Kwak Do-Won, and Lim Si-Wan. This drama film was able to bring in 11,375,123 people into the theaters.
#13
Coming in at #13 of 10 million movies is the 2016 action-thriller, <Train to Busan>.
<Train to Busan> was directed by Yeon Sang-Ho, the man responsible for <Psychokinesis> as well as the follow-up to <Train to Busan>, <Peninsula>. This must-watch zombie film featured the incredible actors Gong Yoo, Jung Yoo-Mi, Ma Dong-Seok aka Don Lee, Kim Soo-Ahn, Kim Eui-Sung, Choi Woo-Shik, and Ahn So-Hee. <Train to Busan> is one of the most globally recognized Korean movies, and was able to record 11,567,662 at the domestic box office.
#12
The #12 film is the second oldest movie on this list, being released in 2004 <Taegukgi: Brotherhood of War>.
Directed by Kang Je-Kyu, the director of <Awaiting>, <My Way>, and <Shiri>, <Taegukgi: Brotherhood of War> is a classic when it comes to Korean war movies. This is the movie I selected as the #1 film in terms of best Korean war movies, and it’s not only a great war movie with great action, but it also has a really good story and gets very emotional. With exceptional acting performances by Jang Dong-Gun, Won Bin, Lee Eun-Ju, and Go Hyung-Jin, <Taegukgi: Brotherhood of War> was able to record 11,740,000 at the box office.
#11
Next, the #11 Korean movie that recorded over 10 million at the Korean box office is the 2017 film <A Taxi Driver>.
<A Taxi Driver> was directed by Jang Hoon, who was the director of <The Front Line>, <Rough Cut>, and <Secret Reunion>, and starred Song Kang-Ho, Thomas Kretschmann, Yoo Hae-Jin, Ryu Jun-Yeol, Park Hyuk-Kwon, and Choi Kwi-Hwa. <A Taxi Driver> was an eye-opening film of the historical events of Gwangju, Korea, and is another film that gets really emotional. It’s a great watch for the entire family, which is why it was able to record 12,189,658 at the box office.
#10
Starting off the top 10 list, the #10 film is the 2018-released movie, <Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days>.
<Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days> is the second movie of the “Along with the Gods” movies, and was directed by Kim Yong-Hwa, who directed other good movies including <200 Pounds Beauty>, <Take Off>, <Mr. Go>, as well as the first “Along with the Gods” movie, <Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds>. This fantasy film starred the likes of Ha Jung-Woo, Ju Ji-Hoon, Kim Hyang-Gi, Don Lee aka Ma Dong-Seok, and Kim Dong-Wook, and recorded 12,276,359 at the box office.
#9
Next, the #9 film is a movie that was released back in 2012, <Masquerade>.
<Masquerade> was directed by Chu Chang-Min, and other works of his include <Seven Years of Night>, <I Love You>, <Lost In Love>, and <Mapado>. I personally am not a big fan of historical dramas, but this is a must-watch. Starring Lee Byung-Hun, Ryu Seung-Ryong, Han Hyo-Ju, Kim In-Kwon, Jang Kwang, and Shim Eun-Kyung, <Masquerade> was able to bring in 12,324,062 audiences to the theaters.
#8
The #8 movie goes to the 2015 film, <Assassination>.
Directed by Choi Dong-Hoon, the director of <The Big Swindle>, <Tazza: The High Rollers>, <Jeon Woo-chi: The Taoist Wizard>, and <The Thieves>, <Assassination> had an amazing cast lineup of Jun Ji-Hyun, Lee Jung-Jae, Ha Jung-Woo, Oh Dal-Soo, Cho Jin-Woong, Lee Kyung-Young, Choi Duk-Moon, Park Byung-Eun, and Kim Eui-Sung. This action drama was able to record 12,706,829 at the box office.
#7
Moving along, the #7 movie is another emotional movie that released in 2013 <Miracle in Cell No.7>.
<Miracle in Cell No.7> was directed by Lee Hwan-Kyung, who directed <Lump Of Sugar>, <Champ>, as well as an upcoming movie titled <Good Neighbor>, and this is one of the most emotional comedic movies out of Korean cinema. Starring Ryu Seung-Ryong, Park Shin-Hye, Gal So-Won, Oh Dal-Soo, Park Won-Sang, Kim Jung-Tae, Jung Man-Shik, and Kim Ki-Chun, <Miracle in Cell No.7> recorded 12,812,144 at the box office.
#6
The #6 movie goes to a film released back in 2012, <The Thieves>.
<The Thieves> was directed by the previously mentioned Choi Dong-Hoon, and this heist film had one of the best cast lineups of Kim Yoon-Seok, Kim Hye-Soo, Lee Jung-Jae, Jun Ji-Hyun, Simon Yam, Kim Hae-Sook, Oh Dal-Soo, Kim Soo-Hyun, Angelica Lee, and Derek Tsang. The film was able to rake in 12,984,699 at the box office.
#5
The #5 movie is another great crime film released in 2015, <Veteran>.
Directed by Ryu Seung-Wan, who has other great works under his name, including <Crying Fist>, <The Unjust>, <The Berlin File>, and <The Battleship Island>, <Veteran> is a great action crime movie starring the likes of Hwang Jung-Min, Yoo Ah-In, Yoo Hae-Jin, Oh Dal-Soo, and Kang Yoon-Ju. The film was able to record 13,414,484 at the domestic box office.
#4
Moving onto the #4 spot, the #4 movie goes to the 2014 film, <Ode to My Father>.
<Ode to My Father> was directed by Yoon Je-Kyun, who was mentioned earlier for directing <Tidal Wave>, and is another notable emotional film out of Korea. If you’re looking for a movie to watch with the family, I highly recommend watching <Ode to My Father>. Starring Hwang Jung-Min, Kim Yoon-Jin, Oh Dal-Soo, and Jung Jin-Young, the movie recorded 14,263,980 at the Korean box office.
#3
Coming in at #3 of the list of 10 million Korean movies is the first of “Along with the Gods” movie released in 2014, <Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds>.
<Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds> was directed by the same director of the second “Along with the Gods” movie, Kim Yong-Hwa, and starred Ha Jung-Woo, Cha Tae-Hyun, Ju Ji-Hoon, Kim Hyang-Gi, Kim Dong-Wook, Ma Dong-Seok, Lee Jung-Jae, and D.O. of EXO. This fantasy film recorded 14,411,782 at the box office.
#2
And now, just two movies left. First, the #2 film is the second most recent film to release on this list, being released in January of 2019, <Extreme Job>.
Directed by Lee Byung-Hun, who also did other great comedic films including <What a Man Wants> and <Twenty>, <Extreme Job> was selected as the Best Comedy Movie by the EonTalk community members on the 2019 EonTalk Movie Awards. Starring Ryu Seung-Ryong, Lee Ha-Nee, Jin Sun-Kyu, Lee Dong-Hwi, Gong Myung, Oh Jung-Se, and Kim Eui-Sung, <Extreme Job> was able to record 16,266,338 at the Korean box office.
#1
And finally, the #1 Korean movie that brought in the most people into the Korean theaters. The #1 spot goes to the 2014 film, <The Admiral: Roaring Currents>.
Directed by Kim Han-Min, who was the director behind <Paradise Murdered>, <Handphone>, and <War of the Arrows>, this historical film starred Chi Min-Shik, Ryu Seung-Ryong, Cho Jin-Woong, Jin Goo, Lee Jung-Hyun, Kwon Yool, Noh Min-Woo, Kim Tae-Hoon, and Park Bo-Gum. <The Admiral: Roaring Currents> was the #1 movie in terms of box office numbers, with a record of 17,615,686.
Conclusion
And that’s it for today’s content on 19 Korean movies that reached 10 million box office number. All of these movies are definitely worth checking out, as evident by the more than 10 million viewers that went to watch in theaters. How many of these films have you seen? Which are your favorites, and which are you looking forward to watching? Let me know in the comments! Join the EonTalk Telegram group to further discuss with me and other Korean movie lovers, and support EonTalk on Patreon to express your appreciation of the content I make!
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Disclaimer
Please keep in mind this review is composed of solely my own opinions, and should be taken with a grain of salt. I am in no way a professional writer, nor have I majored or studied journalism. This is for informative entertainment purpose only, representing my personal views. I do not own the images and/or videos used in the review. No copyright infringement intended.
I have yet to see the two « Along with the Gods », « Ode to my father », « Miracle in cell n.7 », « Assassination » and « Tidal wave ». But as for the movies I’ve seen on the list, they go from masterpiece to just ok (in my opinion).