Hello everyone and welcome back to another movie recommendations content by EonTalk! First and foremost, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone! I hope all of you spend a great holiday season, and stay safe during these dangerous times. In celebration of the jolly holiday, I’ve prepared a Christmas special content for today. Today’s post will be going over 10 Korean movies I recommend watching during the Christmas holiday.
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Before getting into the list though, I’d like to remind you that this list is ranked based on my personal recommendations, and are totally biased towards my opinions. This isn’t in the order of “best movies,” per se, but just in the order of my recommendation. I put focus on films that one can watch as a family, as well as movies that you can watch with your significant other. Basically movies that I felt is good for the end-of-the-year holiday that gives you that feel-good vibes. Okay, that being said, let’s get right into today’s list on Korean movies to watch during Christmas!
#10
Starting off the list, the #10 film is the most recently released movie on this list, <Samjin Company English Class>.
<Samjin Company English Class> was directed by Lee Jong-Pil, and starred the female trio leads Go Ah-Sung, Esom, and Park Hye-Soo. This comedic drama was one of the better films to come out of Korean cinema this year, and I have a review of the film, so if you would like more details regarding the film, you can check that out. I’ll leave links to all movie reviews in the descriptions down below.
The synopsis is as follows:
For three ladies working at a big company called “Samjin,” their dream has always been to become respected career women. Nevertheless, despite working 8 years at the company, they don’t receive the respect they deserve. Ja-Young, Yoo-Na, and Bo-Ram believe they’ll be allocated “real” work once they pass an English test that’s required for a promotion. However, when Ja-Young goes on an on-site visit to the company’s factory, she witnesses a problematic incident on site. After contemplating whether to report this incident to her supervisors, she eventually does report it, but the company tries to hide and cover up the incident. Thus, Ja-Young, Yoo-Na, and Bo-Ram tries to find evidence of the contamination, and get to the bottom of the incident.
#9
Next, the #9 film is a movie that was released early last year, <Rosebud>.
<Rosebud> was directed by Cho Seok-Hyun, and this is an underrated Korean film. I say this because the movie has a surprisingly great cast lineup, which makes you wonder why it didn’t receive as much attention as it deserves. The film starred Yoo Ho-Jung, Park Sung-Woong, Oh Jung-Se, Ha Yeon-Soo, Lee Won-Geun, Choi Woo-Shik, and Chae Soo-Bin.
The synopsis is as follows:
Rose is an average single mother who would do anything for her daughter. By sheer coincidence, she runs into her old boyfriend, Myung-Hwan, and her surprising past is revealed. It turns out she isn’t very “average” after all; turns out that she used to be a singer, and nearly became the K-pop idol of her time! As more and more of her past is revealed, things get more and more complicated for Ms. Rose Hong.
#8
The #8 movie goes to another film released early last year, <Malmoe: The Secret Mission>.
Directed by Uhm Yoo-Na, <Malmoe: The Secret Mission> is a historical film that revolves around a time of Japanese imperialism. This is a family film that I believe is definitely worth watching, especially with a strong cast of Yoo Hae-Jin, Yoon Kye-Sang, Kim Hong-Pa, Woo Hyun, Kim Tae-Hoon, Kim Sun-Young, Min Jin-Woong, Song Young-Chang, and more.
The synopsis is as follows:
1940s: A time when the Korean language was gradually disappearing. After recently being fired from his job, Pan-Soo resorts to pick-pocketing to pay for his son’s tuition. Coincidentally, a man that he tried to rob turns out to be Jung-Hwan, the executive director of the Korean Language Society that he’s trying to get a job at. The Korean Language Society is hard at work in trying to build a Korean dictionary; thus, the director is very hesitant in hiring an ex-convict. Plus, Pan-Soo is illiterate! Nevertheless, the rest of the team welcomes Pan-Soo with open arms, and he joins the Society with the condition that he must learn to read and write Korean. A man that didn’t understand why “words” instead of “money” should be collected begins to learn the importance of the Korean language as he learns how to read.
#7
Moving along, the #7 movie is another movie released in January of 2019, <The Dude in Me>, or <Inside Me>.
Now that I’m seeing this, all of the last three movies were released in January of last year! Anyways, <The Dude in Me> was directed by Kang Hyo-Jin, and is another great comedic movie to watch during the Christmas season. The film had the cast members Jin Young, Park Sung-Woong, Ra Mi-Ran, Lee Soo-Min, Lee Jun-Hyuk, and Kim Kwang-Kyu, and is like the Korean version of <Freaky Friday>; A grown man and a high school kid switches bodies.
The synopsis is as follows:
When Pan-Soo, a thug, visits a small, local restaurant to grab an old-time favorite meal, he comes across Dong-Hyun, a high school student with obesity problems that’s bullied at school. The owner of the store mentions some odd expressions, leaving Pan-Soo puzzled. Moments later, Pan-Soo and Dong-Hyun’s fates cross paths again. Dong-Hyun falls off the roof of a building following an unfortunate accident, landing right on top of Pan-Soo. Following this incident, the two switches bodies. As Pan-Soo inevitably lives his life in the body of an overweight high schooler, he meets his first love from the past, and finds out he has a hidden daughter! Things just get weirder and weirder for the duo.
#6
The #6 movie goes to a film that was released around this time in 2018, <Swing Kids>.
This movie was directed by Kang Hyung-Chul, and is a type of film that’s not commonly seen in Korean cinema. As you can tell from the title, the movie’s got a very retro vibe and is about dancing. I had a very enjoyable time watching this during the holiday season a couple years ago, and I highly recommend watching this relatively underrated film. The movie starred D.O. of EXO, Jared Grimes, Park Hye-Soo, Oh Jung-Se, and Kim Min-Ho, amongst others.
The synopsis is as follows:
In 1951, during the Korean War, a new Major General of the US Military is assigned to the Geoje-Do Prison Camp. In order to form a good image, he takes on a new project of forming a dance team. He appoints Jackson, a US sergeant that performed in Broadway before enlisting, to the team, and 4 members join the team: Roh Gi-Soo, the worst troublemaker of the camp; Yang Pan-Rae, a multilingual translator; Kang Byung-Sam, a man seeking fame in order to find his lost wife; and Xiao Fang, an extraordinary, “malnourished” dancer. Together, they’re known as the “Swing Kids,” and they must face many problems as they prepare for their debut performance.
#5
The #5 movie is one of my personal favorite romance films. Released in 2018, the #5 movie is <On Your Wedding Day>.
<On Your Wedding Day> was directed by Lee Seok-Geun, and starred the leads Park Bo-Young and Kim Young-Kwang, as well as one of my favorite supporting actors, Kang Ki-Young. This is a film I’ve seen multiple times, as it’s a movie that’s able to not only make me laugh and smile, but also empathize with the characters and really relate to the story and the characters. Although it does get real and emotional, I recommend watching this with your significant other this Christmas holiday if you haven’t already.
The synopsis is as follows:
When Woo-Yeon met Seung-Hee for the first time in the summer of 2005, he instantly fell in love. After desperately following his first love around, the two finally start dating. But not for long. Woo-Yeon suddenly receives a call from his first love, telling him to be well, and disappears. A year later, with all hope lost, Woo-Yeon sees Seung-Hee on a brochure of a university out of sheer chance. That’s when he sets his mind and determines to study his butt off to get accepted into the same school as his first love. A year of sleepless nights and endless studying later, Woo-Yeon is admitted into the college. However, will he be able to get back with his first love?
#4
Moving onto the #4 spot, the #4 movie goes to the 2019 film, <Inseparable Bros>.
<Inseparable Bros> was directed by Yook Sang-Hyo, and starred Shin Ha-Kyun, Lee Kwang-Soo, Esom, Park Chul-Min, and Kwon Hae-Hyo, amongst others. This film had amazing performances by the leads Shin Ha-Kyun and Lee Kwang-Soo, and the film gets really emotional. If you are looking for a movie to watch with the family, I highly recommend giving <Inseparable Bros> a go.
The synopsis is as follows:
The smart older brother, Se-Ha, and the athletic younger brother, Dong-Goo are brothers that cannot (or more so must not) be separated. Se-Ha is physically disabled, and cannot go anywhere without Dong-Goo. Dong-Goo is a superb swimmer, but is mentally disabled and fails to perform even the simplest tasks without Se-Ha. These “brothers” aren’t related by blood, but have formed a bond over the last 20 years that’s stronger than any other brotherhood. One day, the priest that operated the orphanage the two brothers lived in passes away, and all funding for the place is cut off. Following this, Se-Ha and Dong-Goo face being separated and sent off to two different institutes, as they have different disabilities. In order to save their home and remain next to Dong-Goo, Se-Ha recruits Mi-Hyun as a swimming coach for Dong-Goo, and registers Dong-Goo for a swimming contest in order to gain attention. He is successful in getting the public attention, but the brothers face yet another problem, as an unexpected individual comes into their lives.
#3
Coming in at #3 of my list of Christmas movies is the oldest film on this list, <Architecture 101>.
<Architecture 101> was directed by Lee Yong-Ju, and has an ensemble cast lineup of Uhm Tae-Woong, Han Ga-In, Lee Je-Hoon, and Suzy. Although this movie was released over 8 years ago, it’s aged very well and is still very relatable. It’s the movie that started off Suzy’s movie acting career, and also had Jo Jung-Seok as a supporting actor. <Architecture 101> is a melodrama that I recommend watching with your boyfriend/girlfriend.
The synopsis is as follows:
At the age of 20, the architecture major Seung-Min first lays his eyes on and falls for Seo-Yeon, a music major, in his “Architecture 101” class. As the two spend time doing homework together, the two gradually gets close. However, Seung-Min, who lacks confidence when it comes to girls, loses his opportunity to confess to his first love, and eventually the two grow apart. 15 years pass, and the two meet again. The now 35 year old Seung-Min is an architect, and Seo-Yeon has come to him to ask him to design her new home. As the two start to plan for and build Seo-Yeon’s new house, the memories of their past blossoms.
#2
And now, just two movies left. First, the #2 film is a movie that released last year, <Exit>.
Directed by Lee Sang-Geun, <Exit> was a real surprise. Before going into this movie, I thought it’d be another typical, generic comedic film, but boy was I wrong. This movie had great comedy, action, drama, and suspense, and I found myself LOLing as well as grasping onto my armrest while watching. The duo of Jo Jung-Suk and Yoona, was spectacular, and the supporting actors of Kang Ki-Young, Go Doo-Shim, Park In-Hwan, and Kim Ji-Young were great as well. This is a must watch, and if you haven’t seen it yet, I sincerely do hope you do so this season.
The synopsis is as follows:
Yong-Nam is an unemployed male who was pretty well-known in his college days, as he was an ace climber at his school’s rock climbing club. However, upon graduation he fails to find a job and lives at his parent’s house as a sad, jobless man. At his mother’s 70th birthday party, he runs into Eui-Ju, a junior of his from the rock climbing club. The two catch up, but out of nowhere an explosion occurs and the whole city starts filling up with toxic gas. Yong-Nam and Eui-Ju use the skills they acquired from their rock-climbing days to escape the disaster of the gas attack.
#1
And finally, the #1 Korean movie that I recommend watching during the Christmas season. The #1 spot goes to a movie that was released only a few months ago, <Pawn>.
<Pawn> is one of the newest films on this list, and so I thought it’d be one that not a lot of you guys would have seen. Starring Sung Dong-Il, Ha Ji-Won, Kim Hee-Won, and the adorable child actress Park So-Yi, this movie will make you laugh and cry throughout its run. It’s not only a good movie to watch with your significant other, but also something that I recommend watching with the whole family. Park So-Yi was so, so cute, and executed her role superbly.
The synopsis is as follows:
In 1993, two loan sharks “Doo-Seok” and “Jong-Bae” go after a woman that borrowed money from them. Because she doesn’t have the money to repay right away, they take the woman’s 9-year-old daughter, “Seung-Yi,” as a pawn. However, the mother is exiled from the country, and the two money lenders are stuck with taking care of Seung-Yi. Their unexpected, unplanned meeting turns into a warm-hearted relationship, and the trio grows to have a special bond.
Conclusion
And that’s it for today’s post on Korean movies to watch during Christmas. How many of these films have you seen? Which are your favorites, and which will you be watching? Let me know in the comments! Please remember, some films that you believe should have made it on this list may not have been included, but this top 10 list was based on my personal recommendations. If you would like to further discuss with me and other Korean movie lovers, join the EonTalk Telegram group.
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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.