Ok-dramas and Ok-pop music are actually answerable for spreading the Hallyu wave throughout the globe. However, Korean romantic motion pictures aren't any much less influential, as they've constructed a robust fan base with their sensational storylines, recent ideas and intense romance.
While motion pictures like My Sassy Girl garnered worldwide recognition and have become a significant hit all through Asia, The Handmaiden, from acclaimed director Park Chan-wook, bagged the primary ever win for a Korean movie on the BAFTA Awards in 2018.
This exhibits how properly-obtained Korean romantic cinema is amongst critics and romantic movie lovers. And, although Korean cinema excels in all genres, the romance part alone deserves reward for the distinctive tales, leaving viewers asking for extra.
Additionally, inside romantic motion pictures there's something for everybody — dramatic romance, romantic comedies, atypical romance and extra. And some may be known as really distinctive with energy-packed feelings and prime-notch performances, making them stand out from the checklist.
The most romantic Korean motion pictures to look at
My Sassy Girl (2001)
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Extremely fashionable amongst millennials, My Sassy Girl starring Jun Ji-Hyun and Cha Tae-hyun, went to the extent of drawing comparisons to Titanic. Because of its blockbuster standing, the movie additionally attracted a number of remakes from few nations together with the US, Indonesia, China and India.
Based on the story penned by Kim Ho-sik as an online novel, My Sassy Girl follows Kyun-woo (Cha), an engineering pupil whose every day routine contains consuming with associates and ignoring his nagging mom.
One day, whereas taking the subway, he by accident meets the unnamed sassy lady (Jun) and out of the blue finds himself in an intriguing relationship together with her. Their story which is full of attention-grabbing twists and turns and the sensible character portrayal by the actors entertain viewers to the core.
The Kwak Jae-yong rom-com turned the second-highest grosser (2001) in South Korea after promoting four,852,845 tickets in its 10-week run, making it top-of-the-line Korean romantic motion pictures of all time.
Always (2011)
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With So Ji-Sub and Han Hyo-joo as leads, Always, also called Only You, may appear to be a daily romantic movie with a fundamental storyline — a person with a troubled previous and a susceptible lady however is greater than that with the plot providing relatable conditions and real looking penalties.
The love story, impressed by the favored Charlie Chaplin movie City Lights (1931), follows the romance between ex-boxer Cheol-min (So) and a visually impaired telemarketer (Han). The two evoke a scorching but candy chemistry all through the movie, whereas taking part in the lovers who would do something to maintain their love alive.
The chemistry between the 2 stars and the background rating are positively the highlights of the film which additional elevates its soulful plot.
Love 911 (2012)
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Another Han Hyo-joo starrer romantic movie, Love 911 is taken into account as one of the vital romantic Korean motion pictures of all time and is a fan-favorite. Having each humorous and loveable parts, this film lures viewers with its simplicity and low-key romance that doesn’t fail to impress younger hearts.
Go Soo performs Kang-il, a tricky firefighter, who's recovering from his spouse’s dying and Han portrays a decided but chilly-hearted physician, Mi-soo.
After being accused of malpractice, she is scared to lose her license. However, as a witness, Kang can save her from dropping her occupation. Hence, with a purpose to get him to testify, Mi-soo begins discovering methods to get near him and the remainder may be discovered by lovers of the style simply.
A clear entertainer from starting to finish, Love 911 isn't any-nonsense rom-com which presents very good path and a properly-written screenplay from Gi-hoon Jeong. The movie additionally stars Eternals (2021) star Ma Dong-seok.
The Handmaiden (2016)
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Coming from the director of hit noir movie Oldboy, The Handmaiden is a masterpiece taking viewers past the periphery of societal understanding of reality and lies. Part thriller, half romance and set in Japanese-ruled Korea, the movie tells the love story of two ladies, Lady Hideko (Kim Min-hee) and Sook-hee (Kim Tae-ri).
Lady Hideko is a rich heiress residing on an estranged property, whereas ceaselessly attempting to free herself from the harness managed by her Uncle Kouzuki (Cho Jin-woong). On the opposite hand, Sook-hee, a con-lady, is employed as Hideko’s maid to steal her fortune.
Park’s movie is rigorously divided into three chapters with every of them having its personal significance. Also, the movie takes a number of feelings — lust, anger, romance and sensuality — to a complete new stage.
Il Mare (2000)
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Although Il Mare didn’t do properly on the field workplace, it's thought of as an epic movie by the Korean romance film lovers and deserves a worthy watch. Lee Jung-jae of Squid Game (2021–) and My Love From The Star ‘s (2013–14) Jun Ji-hyun take up the lead roles, partaking in a heartfelt fantasy romance.
The movie tells the love story of Kim Eun-ju (Jun) and Han Sung-hyun (Lee), who dwell in the identical home, however at completely different time intervals — two years aside. While departing from Il Mare, a seaside home, she leaves a Christmas card within the (magical) mailbox. The letter is obtained by an structure pupil in 1997 and a candy friendship follows.
Different from the frequent rom-com path, Il Mare is a relaxed, unhappy and romantic movie and makes you expertise butterflies within the abdomen. The movie efficiently integrates science fiction and romance with its time-transcending plot idea.
Also, an American remake of the movie titled The Lake House, starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock, was launched in 2006.
Tune in for Love (2019)
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While emotional attachment is frequent in all Korean romances, Tune in for Love brings peace and religion into the image, making it top-of-the-line Korean romance motion pictures launched not too long ago.
Starring Kim Go-eun and Jung Hae-in as Mi-soo and Hyun-woo, respectively, the film explores their relationship over a timeline of ten years. They first meet whereas working collectively at a bakery however as they turn into adults, their paths change. Challenged with completely different occasions of their life, the 2 attempt to discover one another, reconnect and handle to create a easy but considerable relationship.
Tune in for Love has a shifting story which could look easy initially, however could ultimately pressure you to shed tears because the characters’ develop, depicting sincerity and love for one another.
The Classic (2003)
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Another hit from My Sassy Girl’s Kwak Jae-yong is The Classic. It options Son Ye-jin of 2019 hit romantic drama Crash Landing On You and Zo In-sung within the lead roles.
The romance drama film revolves across the parallel love tales of a mom and daughter, Ji-hae and Ju-hie, each performed by Son.
The film opens with Ji-hae discovering an outdated field with letters. As she begins to learn, every letter takes the viewers to the flashback whereas exhibiting her mom’s love story. Meanwhile, Ji-hae is presently in love with a fellow pupil, Sang-min, performed by Zo.
Cited as top-of-the-line romantic Korean motion pictures ever made, The Classic brilliantly follows the idea of twin-storytelling whereas additionally displaying the feelings of moms and daughters.
I’m a Cyborg, But That’s Okay (2006)
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A bit of twisted from different Korean romance motion pictures, I’m a Cyborg But That’s Okay is one other gem from Park Chan-wook. Following a selected fashion and creativeness, the flick stars Ok-pop celebrity Rain as Park Il-sun and Lim Soo-jung as Cha Young-goon.
Park Il-sun is admitted to a hospital for his delinquent behaviour and kleptomania. On the opposite hand, fellow affected person, Cha Young-goon believes that she is a cyborg. Transforming an unconventional setting into an important love story and romance movie is the perfect and probably the most distinctive issue in regards to the movie.
The lead characters and their potential to embrace one another regardless of being dysfunctional and going by way of private hardships makes them extraordinarily distinctive. The two protagonists from the movie are something, however regular, identical to love, as they journey far into fantasies whereas exploring actual feelings.
Consequently, the movie and the solid obtained many accolades together with the Best New Actor Award to Rain on the Baek Sang Art Awards (2007) and the Alfred Bauer Award (2007) to Park Chan-wook.
A Moment To Remember (2004)
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If you're an emotional particular person, A Moment To Remember is certain to depart you teary-eyed.
The film stars Son Ye-jin as Kim Su-jin, who has a wealthy background. However, she quickly falls in love with Cheol-su, a tough foreman, performed by Jung Woo-sung.
The two get married to kick-begin their love story, however the plot takes a flip when Su-jin is recognized with Alzheimer’s illness. Originally jaded and hard, Cheol-su begins to melt and stays by her facet as her situation worsens.
Even although the love between the 2 characters is the perfect a part of the movie, the writers have completed a exceptional job in penning a wonderful character with Alzheimer’s illness.
The movie is certain to the touch your coronary heart certainly.
A Werewolf Boy (2012)
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With two mega Ok-drama actors — Song Joong-ki and Park Bo-young — main a fantasy romantic Korean movie, you may count on wonders.
After receiving an surprising name about her outdated household house being offered, an aged lady, Sun Yi (Lee Young-ran), goes again to her native place. She visits the nation cottage the place she lived as a baby (youthful counterpart performed by Park). As quickly as she arrives, her thoughts goes again to the connection she developed with a boy 47 years in the past.
In the 1960s, she finds a feral boy, whom she assumes as a baby who misplaced his household to the Korean War. Her type mom brings him house and names him as Chul-soo (Song).
As time goes by, it involves mild that Chul-soo will not be regular and possesses beast-like options. However, Sun-Yi continues to be unaware of this and will get nearer to him, getting the identical response from him too.
Been launched within the Contemporary World Cinema part within the Toronto International Film Festival in 2012, and getting a pre-screening at 17th Busan International Film Festival in the identical yr, A Werewolf Boy is without doubt one of the finest Korean romance motion pictures ever made.
(Hero and Featured photos: Courtesy IMDb)
This story first appeared on Lifestyle Asia India