5 films set in South Korea that will make you want to book a trip

With its dynamic urban landscapes, majestic mountains and historic villages, South Korea is a unique cinematic playground. If you want to travel to Korea from the comforts of your own home, here are five films to get immersed in its cultural, historical and social mores.

Interested in visiting South Korea? Here are


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• South Korea: The iconic filming locations for your favourite K-dramas
• What is soju, South Korea’s national drink?
• These 16 UNESCO-listed sites are true cultural and natural gems to visit in South Korea
• The most beautiful treks and hikes to explore South Korea

(2019)

, which won 4 Oscars and a Palme d’Or at Cannes, is a gripping immersion in the city of Seoul. The film, directed by Bong Joon-ho, is most notable for shining a light on the social inequalities prevailing in the Korean capital. By following a destitute family as they attempt to gradually infiltrate the home of a wealthy family, you get to discover the twin faces of Seoul: on the one hand, the underprivileged neighbourhoods where homes flood at the slightest rainfall, and on the other, the hushed, luxurious world of an elite disconnected from the country’s social realities.

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(2018)

is a psychological thriller that offers a contemplative and mysterious atmosphere as it leaves Seoul to take you deep into Korea’s rural landscapes.

The film follows a young writer confronted by an enigmatic man whose wealth and disturbing behaviour raise many questions. Through long shots of deserted countryside and hypnotic sunsets, the director takes you into a world where the silence and vastness of the spaces reinforce the characters’ sense of solitude and uncertainty. This is the Korean countryside: soothing rural landscapes in a mysterious, intimate atmosphere.

(2016)

, directed by Yeon Sang-ho, takes you on a frantic train ride from the capital to the port city of Busan. This major hit of Korean cinema takes you into a world hit by a zombie apocalypse, with passengers trying to survive aboard a train that has become a high-speed charnel house.

Beyond the breathtaking grisly action, the film also lets you discover several different facets of the country: the ultra-connected metropolises and the smaller, more traditional train stations. In this intense film, you also get a glimpse of the seaside city of Busan, while tackling deeper themes such as class struggle and corruption.

(2016)

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Through the story of a servant and an heiress caught up in a game of manipulation and desire, the film showcases its sumptuous settings, with carefully tended gardens and refined interiors inspired by aristocratic palaces. An incredible watch!

(2018)

offers a breath of fresh air away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The film follows a young woman who leaves Seoul to return to her home village. This mellow film delves into simple life in the Korean countryside, where the passing of the seasons sets the pace for harvesting and cooking. The camera captures natures with a soft poetic touch, showing snow-covered landscapes in winter, vibrant colourful fields in spring and abundant harvests in late summer.

is a true cinematic journey.