Im new to Korean film and im so obsessed now.
In 2026 I've watched 104 movies and usually get to 175 - 200 in a year. I'm woefully behind on Korean cinema. But his year 7/104 films have been Korean films. Not a single one has been less than 4 stars on letterboxd. I have been genuinely impressed. It got to the point where I was questioning myself because I didn't think I was being objective. I was skeptical as to why each Korean film was so highly rated.
No Other Choice is my favorite film of the year. JSA knocked me out. The Gangster The Cop The Devil was some of the most fun I've had watching a movie in a long time. Ma Dong-Seok is the most charismatic rhino of a man I've ever seen. He commanded my attention and I was happy to give it to him.
What really surprised me was that, regardless of the genera or the theme, they were all some of the best-looking films I've ever seen. I don't critique film and the term cinephile kinda "icks" me but, I consume a lot of them, and I can hold my own in a conversation. Ive never seen quality this consistent between films and filmmakers.
Obviously, No Other Choice, and The Gangster The Cop The Devil are of different levels of prestige, but I think Americans would rejoice if we had 3 or 4 of the latter per year.
I don't believe I'm saying anything new here. But I was curious about a couple things...
- Why are these movies so impressive looking? What's the story? I'm only half joking when I ask if it's a federal crime to make a bad looking movie in Korea? What's the context and the story?
- I posted a pic of what I've seen. Ive loved them all. Where is the next logical destination for me on my Korean film journey? What have I missed in terms of genera, actor, director, or anything?
Thanks!