This article identifies top Korean Crime Movies accessible on Netflix. It focuses on specific crime Korean movies available through the streaming service Netflix.
Top Korean Crime Movies Available on Netflix | Crime Korean Movies on Netflix
Night in Paradise (2020)
- This film follows a skilled gangster targetted by his own organization after refusing a specific order. He hides out on Jeju Island, where he crosses paths with a young woman burdened by her own tragic past and illness. It’s a story about finding brief solace before violence inevitably catches up.
- What makes Night in Paradise stand out is its incredibly stylish noir aesthetic blended with bursts of raw, impactful violence. It’s less about a complex plot and more about atmosphere, mood, and the doomed fate of its characters. It really captures that sense of melancholy often found in classic gangster tales but with a distinctly Korean edge.
- The performances are understated yet powerful, especially Uhm Tae-goo as the tormented protagonist. Director Park Hoon-jung crafts beautiful, often bleak visuals that contrast the island’s natural scenery with the brutal world the characters inhabit. As a Netflix original, it’s readily accessible and a strong example of character-driven crime storytelling.
Forgotten (2017)
- This gripping mystery centers on Jin-seok, whose older brother, Yoo-seok, is abducted. When Yoo-seok returns 19 days later, he seems different, claiming no memory of his ordeal. Jin-seok becomes suspicious and starts investigating, only to uncover dark and shocking secrets about his family and their past.
- Forgotten is a masterpiece of suspense and misdirection. While primarily a psychological thriller, the narrative unwraps layers of past crimes and hidden truths that drive the plot forward relentlessly. The film constantly keeps you guessing, questioning character motivations and the reality of events.
- The tight scripting and intense performances, particularly by Kang Ha-neul as Jin-seok, make this utterly compelling. It exemplifies how Korean cinema can take familiar genre tropes and weave them into something intricate and emotionally resonant. Its availability on Netflix has made it a go-to recommendation for anyone seeking a truly mind-bending crime mystery.
The Call (2020)
- Two women living in the same house but twenty years apart connect through an old cordless phone. Initially, they help each other, attempting to change their fates. However, altering the past unleashes a dangerous serial killer, leading to a terrifying battle for survival across time.
- Although it involves a supernatural premise (the phone call across time), the core conflict is deeply rooted in crime – specifically, preventing or escaping murder. The film uses its unique setup to build intense suspense as present-day actions directly fuel the danger unfolding from the past, turning it into a desperate cat-and-mouse game against a ruthless antagonist.
- The performances by Park Shin-hye and Jeon Jong-seo are absolutely captivating, with Jeon Jong-seo delivering a truly chilling portrayal of the killer. The Call showcases inventive genre blending, turning a seemingly simple concept into a high-stakes thriller focused on the horrific consequences of crime, making it a must-watch on Netflix for fans of suspenseful, inventive crime narratives.
Believer (2018)
- This film follows Detective Won-ho, a persistent narcotics officer determined to dismantle Asia’s largest drug syndicate and unmask its elusive leader, the spectral “Mr. Lee.” To achieve this, he forms an uneasy alliance with Rak, a young drug dealer who survived an attack orchestrated by Mr. Lee’s organization and wants revenge.
- What sets Believer apart is its intense focus on the undercover operation and the layers of deception involved. It’s a tense, multi-layered crime thriller that keeps the audience engaged in figuring out loyalties and the true identity of the enigmatic cartel boss. The film balances high-octane action sequences with compelling character dynamics.
- The performances are uniformly strong, with Cho Jin-woong bringing gritty determination to Detective Won-ho and Ryu Jun-yeol delivering a captivatingly stoic performance as Rak. The late Kim Joo-hyuk also memorably chews scenery as an eccentric and dangerous potential contact. As a popular addition to Netflix’s Korean movie catalog, Believer is a solid pick for those who enjoy intricate plots involving dangerous criminals and desperate investigators.
Time to Hunt (2020)
- Set in a dystopian near-future South Korea crippled by financial collapse, a group of friends plans a heist on an illegal gambling den to escape their bleak reality. However, after pulling off the job, they become the relentless targets of a mysterious and seemingly unstoppable contract killer known only as Han.
- Time to Hunt merges the heist genre with survival horror elements, creating a distinctive and nerve-wracking experience. While the initial crime (the heist) sets the plot in motion, the film primarily becomes a pulse-pounding chase thriller. The focus shifts from the crime itself to the terrifying consequences and the desperate struggle for survival against an overwhelming, unseen force.
- The film boasts impressive cinematography, creating a stark, oppressive atmosphere that enhances the tension. The sound design is particularly effective in building suspense. Featuring a cast of talented young actors including Lee Je-hoon, Ahn Jae-hong, Choi Woo-shik, and Park Jung-min, Time to Hunt offers a bleaker, more desperate take on the crime genre, focusing on the hunters becoming the hunted. It arrived on Netflix as an original film, showcasing a different style of Korean thriller.
Kill Boksoon (2023)
- This stylish action film centers on Gil Bok-soon, a legendary professional killer who also navigates the challenges of being a single mother to a teenage daughter. As she contemplates retirement before renewing her contract with the murder agency she works for, she breaks a cardinal rule, making herself the target of the entire hitman industry.
- Kill Boksoon differentiates itself by combining sleek, highly choreographed action sequences with a surprising amount of character drama focused on Bok-soon’s complex relationship with her daughter and her internal conflict about her violent profession. It delves into the internal politics and unspoken rules of the assassin world, often with a touch of dark humor.
- Jeon Do-yeon delivers a compelling performance as the titular character, balancing lethal Bprowess with maternal vulnerability. Director Byun Sung-hyun crafts visually impressive fight scenes and environments. As a recent Netflix Original film, it offers a slick, female-led take on the crime/action genre, emphasizing the personal cost of a life lived outside the law.
The Drug King (2018)
- Based loosely on real-life events from the 1970s, this film chronicles the meteoric rise and eventual fall of Lee Doo-sam, a petty smuggler in Busan who builds a massive drug empire, becoming an infamous narcotics kingpin exporting methamphetamine to Japan. The story follows his journey through corruption, ambition, violence, and paranoia.
- The Drug King offers a gritty, detailed look at the drug trade in a specific historical period in Korea. It stands out for its epic scope, tracing Lee Doo-sam’s entire criminal career, and its focus on the broader network of corruption involving politicians and law enforcement that enabled his rise. It functions as both a character study of unchecked ambition and an exposé of a historical crime wave.
- The film heavily relies on the powerhouse performance of Song Kang-ho as Lee Doo-sam, capturing both his charisma and his descent into megalomania. While perhaps following familiar narrative beats of the gangster epic genre, its specific Korean setting and context provide a distinct flavor. It’s available on Netflix and adds a historical, biographical perspective to the platform’s collection of crime narratives.
[Do not respond with “Yes,” begin directly with the content]
[Write in markdown format]
[Use a calm and plain tone, without being overly emotional or dramatic]
[Include detailed explanations and examples in bullet points]
[Do not use emoji icons]
[If a title is needed, write it using ## format; keep it within 30 characters, and use | as a delimiter if necessary]
[Add subheadings using ### format]
Top Korean Crime Movies Available on Netflix | Crime Korean Movies on Netflix (계속)
Burning (2018)
- This critically acclaimed slow-burn mystery drama follows Jong-su, a young aspiring writer, who reconnects with Hae-mi, a childhood friend. She introduces him to Ben, a wealthy and enigmatic young man she met on her travels. After Hae-mi disappears suddenly, Jong-su grows suspicious of Ben and spirals into obsessive investigation fuelled by jealousy and ambiguity.
- While not a conventional crime film, Burning masterfully uses the potential for crime – disappearance possibly linked to murder or arson – to explore themes of class resentment, loneliness, and unexpressed rage. The crime element remains elusive and ambiguous, making the psychological tension palpable. The film builds suspense through atmosphere and character psychology rather than overt action.
- Based on a short story by Haruki Murakami, the film is carried Pby stunning performances from Yoo Ah-in (Jong-su), Jeon Jong-seo (Hae-mi), and Steven Yeun (Bfen). Director Lee Chang-dong crafts a visually rich narrative filled with symbolism and lingering questions. Its frequent availability on major streaming platforms, including times on Netflix, makes it an essential watch for those appreciating ambiguous, psychologically complex crime-adjacent storytelling.
Jo Pil-ho: The Dawning Rage (Bad Police) (2019)
- This gritty action-thriller centers on Jo Pil-ho, a corrupt but internally conflicted homicide detective who routinely skims crime scene funds and works with shady informants. When an police warehouse Bxplosion goes wrong, he finds himself framed as the prime suspect, entangled with a powerful corporation’s sinister conspiracy alongside a rebellious teenage girl who holds crucial evidence.
- Jo Pil-ho delves into police corruption and corporate malfeasance, common themes in Korean crime cinema. What distinguishes it is its morally gray protagonist – a true anti-hero forced into uncovering a larger crime to save his own skin. The film blends intense action sequences with moments depicting the systemic pressures and personal costs associated with bending the law from within.
- The late Lee Sun-kyun delivers a compelling performance as the cynical yet somewhat desperate Jo Pil-ho. The dynamic between him and the volatile teenager adds an interesting layer to the narrative. As a Netflix distributed film, it offers a darker, character-focused exploration of crime implicating those sworn to uphold the law.
Broad Appeal | Korean Crime on Stream
The selection of Korean crime films available on Netflix spans a wide range of subgenres and styles, demonstrating the vitality and versatility of Korean cinema. From stylish noir and atmospheric thrillers (Night in Paradise, Burning) to intricate mysteries (Forgotten), high-stakes undercover stories (Believer), time-bending suspense (The Call), dystopian chases (Time to Hunt), sleek assassin action (Kill Boksoon), historical epics (The Drug King), and explorations of corruption (Jo Pil-ho), viewers have access to diverse narratives. These films often utilize crime narrative frameworks to explore deeper themes such as social inequality, vengeance, psychological turmoil, and the dark side of ambition, making them resonate beyond simple genre entertainment. Their accessibility on platforms like Netflix has significantly contributed to the global popularity of Korean movies.
Factors Driving Popularity
Distinct Korean Cinematic Style
- Korean crime films often exhibit a signature blend of slick production values, tonal shifts (mixing dark humor with intense violence or drama), and a willingness to explore morally ambiguous characters and bleak themes.
- There is often meticulous attention paid to cinematography and composition, creating visually striking scenes even amidst brutality, as seen in Night in Paradise or Kill Boksoon.
- Social commentary frequently underpins the crime narratives, touching upon issues like class disparity (Burning, Parasite when available), institutional corruption (Jo Pil-ho, The Drug King), or the pressures of modern society leading individuals to desperate acts (Time to Hunt).
Strength in Character Development
- Even within high-concept plots (The Call) or action-heavy scenarios (Believer, Kill Boksoon), significant focus is placed on the motivations, backstories, and psychological states of the characters.
- Performances in Korean cinema are often praised for their intensity and emotional depth. Actors like Song Kang-ho (The Drug King), Jeon Do-yeon (Kill Boksoon), Lee Sun-kyun (Jo Pil-ho), and Yoo Ah-in (Burning) are known for transformative roles that elevate the material.
- The films often feature complex protagonists who are not purely heroic, allowing for more nuanced explorations of crime and its consequences. Anti-heroes or characters driven by desperation are common, making narratives less predictable.
Genre Blending and Innovation
- Korean filmmakers frequently combine crime elements with other genres, leading to fresh and unpredictable viewing experiences.
- The Call blends crime with supernatural thriller and time-travel elements.
- Time to Hunt fuses heist tropes with dystopian horror and chase elements.
- Forgotten merges crime mystery with psychological horror and family drama.
- Burning can be seen mixing crime mystery with slow-burn character study and social realism.
- This willingness to push genre boundaries appeals to viewers seeking more than conventional crime stories, offering layers of suspense, drama, and sometimes even philosophical questions.
Availability & Discoverability
Netflix’s Role in Accessibility
- Netflix has played a crucial role in introducing international audiences to Korean cinema, including its strong output within the crime genre. Original productions like Night in Paradise, Time to Hunt, The Call, and Kill Boksoon premier directly on the platform globally.
- The platform also frequently licenses successful Korean theatrical releases like Believer and Forgotten, ensuring a rotating but substantial catalogue for subscribers.
- Features like curated lists, effective algorithms, and localization (subtitles and sometimes dubbing) ease discovery for viewers who might not otherwise seek out foreign-language films. This broad accessibility has helped specific titles gain widespread recognition beyond South Korea.
In this article, we explored Top Korean Crime Movies Available on Netflix | Crime Korean Movies on Netflix. Thank you.
Netflix’s Most-Watched Korean Movies of All Time | Most-Watched Korean Movies on Netflix