The 20 Best Korean Revenge Thrillers of All Time

Korean cinema has garnered quite a following for its diverse genres and unique stories. Beyond the romantic fluff and historical epics the industry is most appreciated for, Korean directors like Park Chan-wook and Bong Joon-ho have truly excelled at creating thrillers that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

That said, no thriller subgenre has seen more success and authenticity than revenge stories. Without giving too much away, these films are famous for featuring deeply tormented protagonists who endure great injustice before finally unleashing enormous storms of vengeance upon those responsible.

Korean directors are known to approach their revenge thrillers not only with technical mastery and neatly-choreographed action, but also with a precise understanding of human nature and psychology. They draw tension out of intimacy and close-ups, through flickers of emotions that make the audiences invested in their story. And when the dramatic reveal happens at the end, it is both powerful and satisfying. With a large selection to choose from, here are the 20 most thrilling Korean revenge films ever made.

20 The Villainess (2017)

Inspired by Luc Besson’s 1990 film, La Femme Nikita, The Villainess centers around Sook-hee, a woman who was trained to be an assassin from a very young age. Having honed her skills down to every impeccable move, she lives a double life as a sleeper agent and a brutal killer. All the while, she is chasing the man who killed her father when she was seven.

A Former Female Assassin Goes Rogue

Jung Byung-gil has crafted the definitive revenge fantasy with The Villainess. Known to “carve out a bloody niche for itself in modern Korean action cinema,” the movie never glorifies murder, but instead uses each meticulously choreographed blow and dodge into empowering catharsis. Kim Ok-vin embodies Sook-hee with the kind of predatory grace you’d be familiar with if you have watched Tarantino’s Kill Bill films. Stream The Villainess on Prime Video.

WATCH THE TRAILER FOR THE VILLAINESS HERE

19 Missing You (2016)

Missing You intertwines the fates of three strangers who are closely connected to each other. On one hand, there is Hee-Joo, a girl whose detective father was murdered 15 years ago. Then there’s Ki-Bum, the killer who was found guilty and is released from prison after serving time. And the third is detective Dae-Young, Hee-joo’s father’s former partner, who is still suspicious of Ki-Bum and has been following him since his release.

Plays Out Like a Meticulous Chess Game

Played with equal parts coldness and empathy, Missing You is a psychological thriller that lets its darker parts coexist with the heartfelt moments. The superb production values, interesting performances from Shim Eun-kyung, Yoon Je-moon, and Kim Sung-oh, enough twists and turns to make your head spin, as well as a provocative peak into trauma and justice, make this film a standout in the genre. Stream Missing You on The Roku Channel.

WATCH THE TRAILER FOR MISSING YOU HERE

18 The Thieves (2012)

Master thief Macau Park leads a reluctant crew of skilled criminals on their biggest heist ever – stealing a diamond worth US$20 million from Tiffany, the mistress of a formidable and unforgiving crime lord named Wei Hong, and selling it back to him. The venture is risky, and the team is unreliable. But as unexpected layers are unveiled and new alliances are formed, Park’s treacherous motive for killing Wei Hong and seeking vengeance surfaces.

Style With Substance

Serving both style and substance, this twisted and entertaining caper, directed by Choi Dong-hoon, is a breezy watch. It stars an ensemble of stellar actors like Kim Yoon-seok, Gianna Jun Ji-hyun and Kim Hye-soo. Their comedic flair and the flawless action sequences make the film visually appealing. More than just empathy thrills, The Thieves fashions a story that balances human emotions and captivating storytelling. Stream The Thieves on Kocowa.

WATCH THE TRAILER FOR THE THIEVES HERE

Related: The 10 Most Chilling Scenes from South Korean Crime Drama Movies

17 Night in Paradise (2020)

An indulgence for fans of South Korean thrillers, Night in Paradise tells the story of a gangster named Tae-gu who is approached by his rival Bukseong gang to join the team. When he refuses, Tae-gu’s family is murdered, which sends him on a killing spree and turns his world upside down. Now having fled to Jeju Island, he meets the terminally ill Jae-yeon, and she ignites a new passion in him.

Poetic Blend Of Genres

Showcasing the criminal underworld and gang violence with precision, Night in Paradise cements itself as a minimalist masterpiece. Directed by Park Hoon-jung, this neo-noir thriller lets its emotional story take center stage. With little music or flashy shots, it takes the bleak and intriguing premise and twists it into a heart-wrenching study of one man’s calculated and poetic kills – all in the name of revenge. Stream Night in Paradise on Netflix.

WATCH THE TRAILER FOR NIGHT IN PARADISE HERE

16 A Bittersweet Life (2005)

Written and directed by Kim Jee-woon, A Bittersweet Life is another neo-noir thriller that dives into the darkness of the human mind. The main protagonist, Kim Sun-woo, is a loyal subordinate of a crime lord. When his boss, Kang, leaves him with one simple job before going on a business trip, and he defies his orders, Sun-woo finds himself embodied in a circle of enemies and betrayals. He must battle to protect himself and those around him.

Filled With Plot Twists and Slick Action

A Bittersweet Life is a stylish yet grim revenge thriller. Its beautifully choreographed fights, refreshing authenticity, moody cinematography, and taut direction have been praised by critics and audiences across the globe. Lead actors Lee Byung-hun and Shin Min-a showcase immense talent as commanding and conflicted protagonists caught in an impossible situation. The film also has a 30-seconds longer director’s cut with cleaner visuals and a subtle rearrangement of scenes. Stream A Bittersweet Life on Kanopy.

15 Bedevilled (2010)

Premiering as an official selection of Critics’ Week at the Cannes Film Festival in 2010, Bedevilled is a painfully disturbing tale of revenge. It follows Hae-won, a strong-willed, apathetic woman who returns to her childhood island home and reunites with her childhood friend, Bok-nam, whose husband has been grooming their daughter, Yoon-hee. When Yoon-hee dies and Hae-won refuses to testify against her friend’s husband, Bok-nam is pushed to her breaking point, and she decides to fight back and get revenge on those who have wronged her, including Hae-won.

Harrowing Examination of Trauma

With Bedevilled, director Jang Cheol-soo builds an agonizing tale that leaves the audience in shambles. The film has a slow-burn energy, where layers of emotional, mental, and physical trauma inflicted upon the protagonists are revealed across the years. When violence finally erupts, it feels both shocking and somehow inevitable. The naturalistic performances from Seo Young-Hee and Hwang Geum-hee are genuinely moving. Buy Bedevilled on Apple TV.

WATCH THE TRAILER FOR BEDEVILLED HERE

14 The Yellow Sea (2010)

Desperate to escape his dead-end life and mounting debts, a taxi driver and gambling addict named Gu-nam accepts a shady job from a local gangster. Apparently, he must travel from the Chinese city of Yanji in Yanbian Prefecture to Joseonjok in Korea to kill a professor. Just when he’s about to initiate the kill, Gu-nam realizes that he’s being double-crossed. With gangsters, police, and his relentless pursuit of looking for his wife, Gu-name gets pulled into a criminal underworld that is impossible to escape from.

Well-Paced, Realistic, and Action-Packed

The Yellow Sea is an intense crime thriller that features bone-crunching action sequences, gripping tension, and hypnotic imagery. Directed by Na Hong-jin, its awesome visuals take you to the dirty streets of Korea as well as the icy winters of China. And all the while, it is Ha Jung-woo’s tormented anti-hero’s loneliness in a lawless world that feels raw. Rent The Yellow Sea on Apple TV.

WATCH THE TRAILER FOR THE YELLOW SEA HERE

13 Pieta (2012)

As the heartless enforcer of a loan shark operation, Kang-do lives a solitary life; his only purpose is to inflict pain on his clients when they fail to pay their dues. That is until a mysterious woman appears at his door and claims to be his long-lost mother. This claim not only frustrates him but also throws him off his game and the brutal consequences of his past actions catch up to him.

Award-Winning Revenge Thriller

An unsettling and artful thriller, Pieta explores our capacity for violence and redemption. Written and directed by Kim Ki-duk and starring Lee Jung-jin and Jo Min-su in the lead role, the film has won several accolades, including the distinguished and converted prize of the Golden Lion at Venice Film Festival. The reason for his praise lies within the brutal-yet-fragile characters, and the film’s compelling narrative. Stream Pieta on Fandor.

WATCH THE TRAILER FOR PIETA HERE

Related: 20 Best South Korean Movies of All Time

12 The Chaser (2008)

Also directed by Na Hong-jin and featuring his signature brand of action and suspense, The Chaser follows a former detective-turned-pimp, Joong-ho, who realizes that one of the customers, Yeong-min, was the last person to see two of his missing girls. Desperate to find the truth, he risks the life of another girl, Mi-jin, and procures his vague address. This cat-and-mouse game between Joong-ho and the psychopathic serial killer soon turns into a race against time.

The Chaser Is Based on True Events

Na Hong-jin’s directorial debut was so gripping from the first frame itself that it put the man on the map as one of the most promising Korean directors. The film is inspired by a real-life Korean serial killer and is shot on real locations, an information that only ratchets up the nerve-shredding intensity of the film. Kim Yoon-seok and Ha Jung-woo deliver incredible lead performances and make this gritty revenge thriller a masterpiece. Stream The Chaser on AMC+.

WATCH THE TRAILER FOR THE CHASER HERE

11 No Mercy (2019)

Another action thriller with a badass female lead, No Mercy centers around In-ae, a skilled martial artist and hand-to-hand combat instructor who finds out that her autistic younger sister, Eun-hye, is constantly being bullied and abused. One day, when Eun-hye doesn’t return home on time. In-ae takes matters into her own hands and uses her lethal skills to fight politicians, gangsters and traffickers.

When a Martial Artist Is Allowed to Fight

Watching one-man-army action is always satisfying, and one starring a commanding female protagonist is simply perfect. Out for revenge on the streets of Seoul, Lee Si-young’s character dispatches her enemies with precision and ruthlessness. Director Lim kyeong-taek infuses every scene with jaw-dropping action and realistic fight, with an electric score making No Mercy a must-watch.

10 Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002)

A chilling and stylish neo-noir thriller directed and co-written by Park Chan-wook, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance follows Ryu, a deaf-mute factory worker who is burdened by desperation to make enough money for his sister’s kidney transplant. When he resorts to kidnapping the daughter of a wealthy man for ransom and his carefully-paid plan goes south, Ryu finds the police hot on his tail.

A Blood-Soaked Tale of Retribution

The first film in Chan-wook’s iconic Vengeance thriller trilogy (with Oldboy and Lady Vengeance releasing in the following years), the film has a dystopian style of visuals where committing violent crimes is not out of the ordinary. The emotional gut-punches come out of nowhere, and the movie highlights its flawed characters as morbid and pathetic at the same time. Actors Song Kang-ho, Bae Doona, and Han Bo-bae deliver stunning performances. Stream Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance on Hoopla.

WATCH THE TRAILER FOR SYMPATHY FOR MR. VENGEANCE HERE

9 Inside Men (2015)

Inside Men is a political thriller based on Yoon Tae-ho’s webtoon, The Insiders. The movie breaks down corruption within Korean society by following Ahn Sang-goo, a political henchman who is betrayed by the two politicians he wholeheartedly supported. When Ahn plans his revenge against them, he stumbles upon Woo Jang-hoon, an ambitious investigator trying to understand how he’s connected to the powerful men.

Slick Cat-and-Mouse Game Where the Stakes Are High

Setting box office records upon its release in South Korea, this Woo Min-ho-directed revenge drama fuels the entertainment factor by delivering plenty of suspenseful plot twists, shadowy revelations, and unexpected double-crosses. Featuring standout performances from Lee Byung-hun and Cho Seung-woo, the movie keeps you guessing until the very end and cleverly makes comments on the justice system. Stream Inside Men on Kocowa.

WATCH THE TRAILER FOR INSIDE MEN HERE

8 The Man from Nowhere (2010)

Unassuming pawnshop owner Tae-sik lives as a recluse, having only bonded with the lonely girl next door, So-mi, whose mother works as a dancer at a club. When So-mi’s mother messes up, a dangerous drug lord and his subordinates kidnap So-mi and threaten to kill her. Embroiled in the drama, Tae-sik’s past as a special ops agent is revealed, and he goes on a revenge rampage against the syndicate to protect So-mi.

Will Leave You Awestruck

Director Lee Jeong-beom sets the stage for Won Bin to showcase his spell-binding skills as an action star. The latter owns the role of a conflicted man pushed to the brink, his combat skills radiating fury and desperation in equal proportion. Supported by Lee’s sublime use of moody visuals and slick fight sequences, The Man from Nowhere leaves audiences wanting more. Stream The Man from Nowhere on Netflix.

WATCH THE TRAILER FOR THE MAN FROM NOWHERE HERE

Related: The 10 Most Underrated Neo-Noir Movies of All Time

7 Burning (2018)

After an aspiring author, Lee Jong-su, accidentally reconnects with his childhood friend, Shin Hae-mi, he spends a couple of afternoons with her and falls in love. When she reveals that she’s going on a trip to Africa, Jong-su is left with feeding and visiting her cat for her. Hae-mi returns from the trip a changed person, with her enigmatic new friend Ben in tow, whose presence leads to a series of strange events.

Cerebral Slow-Burn Thriller

A slow-burn thriller infused with psychological mystery, loneliness, class commentary, and hints of a dark obsession lurking within the protagonists, Burning is Lee Chang-dong’s unsettling masterpiece. Even though the pace of the story is leisurely, and the imagery is lush and autumnal, it is impossible to find yourself overlooking the clues that lead to the shocking end. Starring Yoo Ah-in, Steven Yeun, and Jeon Jong-seo, Burning has received several awards and critical acclaim. Stream Burning on Netflix.

WATCH THE TRAILER FOR BURNING HERE

6 Secret Sunshine (2007)

Graceful and unapologetic, Secret Sunshine is perhaps Lee Chang-dong’s best film of all time. It follows Shin-ae, a young mother who is devastated by the sudden death of her husband. She relocates to his hometown, Miryang, with her son for a fresh start. There, she begins rebuilding her life but tragedy strikes again, leaving Shin-ae in a fragile mental and emotional state.

A Mother’s Struggle To Rebuild Her Life

One of the saddest stories on the list, Secret Sunshine portrays a revenge so useless it is almost heartbreaking. At its core, this award-winning story is about grief, forgiveness, and hope. Jeon Do-yeon gives an emotionally devastating performance as Shin-ae, adding delicate, soul-stirring emotion as well as a shocking depth to her character. For the role, Do-yeon took home an award for Best Actress at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival. Stream Secret Sunshine on The Roku Channel.

WATCH THE TRAILER FOR SECRET SUNSHINE HERE

5 Lady Vengeance (2005)

The third and final installment in Park Chan-wook’s Vengeance trilogy, Lady Vengeance follows Lee Geum-ja, a woman sentenced to 13 years in prison for a murder she did not commit. After getting released, she quietly plots retribution against the real killer, a man who heartlessly strangled the six-year-old to death and managed to evade justice.

A Chilling Character Study

Park’s darkest revenge masterpiece to date, Lady Vengeance plays out with a chilling precision because of his natural style of direction. Apart from the overall theme of redemption, the movie also boasts the phenomenal performance of Lee Young-ae, who adds just as much poignancy as ferocity to her role. Poetic, uncompromising, and darkly humorous, the film teaches you the difference between justice and revenge. Stream Lady Vengeance on Tubi TV.

WATCH THE TRAILER FOR LADY VENGEANCE HERE

4 Mother (2009)

It would be unfair not to mention this Bong Joon-ho gem in a list of Korean revenge thrillers. Mother is set against the backdrop of a small factory town, and it tells the story of a dedicated mother, Moon-jung, who conducts unofficial acupuncture treatments for the women of the town to support her only son. But when her intellectually disabled son is falsely accused of murder, Moon-jung sets out to find the truth and punish those responsible.

Bong Joon-Ho’s Unforgettable Revenge Thriller

Appreciated by critics for being “fleshy and funny” and “dazzling and frustrating” at the same time, Joon-ho’s refreshing thriller tugs at your heartstrings and leaves you questioning the role society plays (or rather, fails to play) in protecting the innocent. Won Bin and Kim Hye-ja are absolutely stunning, with the latter’s all-consuming role of a mother conveying her love and obsession in unforgettable ways. Stream Mother on Fubo TV.

WATCH THE TRAILER FOR MOTHER HERE

3 The Handmaiden (2016)

The Handmaiden is set in 1930s Japanese-occupied Korea, and it tells the story of Sook-hee, a pickpocket who is hired as a handmaiden to a Japanese heiress, Lady Hideko. However, she is secretly helping a conman named Fujiwara to extort her fortune. As the trio gets entangled in the schemes, passions and prejudices collide, and Hideko’s estate becomes an absorbing and intriguing mystery by itself.

An Erotic Noir That Subverts Expectations

The movie is based on Sara Waters’ 2002 novel titled Fingersmith, and it is one of the most celebrated erotic thrillers of the 21st century. With The Handmaiden, director Park Chan-wook spins a sumptuous web of theatrical artistry as well as mesmerizing aesthetics. Kim Min-hee and Kim Tae-ri, two of the most glorious stars of Korean entertainment, stun in their complex roles and turn every stereotype upside down. Stream The Handmaiden on Prime Video.

WATCH THE TRAILER FOR THE HANDMAIDEN HERE

Related: The 10 Best Slow-Burn South Korean Movies of All Time

2 I Saw the Devil (2010)

Directed by Kim Jee-woon, I Saw the Devil is a gorgeous and gruesome revenge thriller that follows Jang Kyung-chul, a depraved murderer who happens to kill the fiancée of an NIS officer named Kim Soo-hyun. When he begins carrying out the investigation and finally captures Kyung-chul, Soo-hyun systematically torments and tortures him in order to break him physically and psychologically.

I Saw the Devil Is Not for the Faint of Heart

Featuring scenes of graphic and uncompromising violence in a way that is shocking but not disgusting, I Saw The Devil cements itself as the most riveting thriller to come out since the 2000s. Lee Byung-hun and Choi Min-sik have us emotionally invested in their characters from the very beginning. The stunning widescreen compositions paired with the sour commentary on complex morals, make it an impactful entry in the genre. Stream I Saw the Devil on Hulu.

WATCH THE TRAILER FOR I SAW THE DEVIL HERE

1 Oldboy (2003)

To perfectly round up the list (as well as mention of Park Chan-wook’s The Vengeance Trilogy), we have Oldboy. The film, loosely based on a manga of the same name, revolves around an advertising executive who was sent to prison for 15 years for unknown reasons. When Oh Dae-su is freed, he vows to discover the truth about his imprisonment. In the process, he ends up navigating the seedy criminal underworld and setting some records straight.

A Modern Cult Classic

Earning great praise from expert director Quentin Tarantino, Oldboy is a twisted, pulpy thriller filled with several groundbreaking long takes and kinetic action scenes. Under the sublime direction of Park Chan-wook, it broke all rules and crafted a roaring climax that left all our jaws agape and our minds bursting with thought and reflection. To quote the film’s review by Roger Ebert film critic, Oldboy is a cult classic “because of what it depicts, but because of the depths of the human heart which it strips bare.” Stream Oldboy on Netflix.

WATCH THE TRAILER FOR OLDBOY HERE