10 Emotional Korean Movies That Will Wreck You

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Movies have a special power to touch our hearts and make us feel deep emotions. Some films make us jump with fear, while others make us laugh until our sides hurt. But there are movies that do something different—they make us cry and think about life in new ways. Korean cinema is known for creating stories that stay with us long after the credits roll, bringing tears to our eyes and warmth to our hearts.

If you are ready to experience powerful stories that will move you, here are ten Korean films that will take you on an emotional journey you won't forget.

Where to Watch: The Roku Channel, Rakuten Viki, Amazon Prime Video, Plex

This heartwarming film tells the story of a mentally disabled father who is wrongly sent to prison for a crime he did not commit. His only wish is to see his young daughter again. The other prisoners in cell number seven help him secretly bring his daughter into the jail. Director Lee Hwan-kyung created this touching story that shows the beautiful bond between father and daughter. The film became one of the highest-grossing Korean movies ever made.

Where to Watch: -

An elderly woman learns English to speak at a U.S. Congress hearing about her painful past. She was a victim of the Japanese military's "comfort women" system during World War II. With help from a young civil servant, she prepares to share her truth with the world. This film, starring Na Moon-hee and Lee Je-hoon, brings attention to a real historical tragedy that affected thousands of Korean women during the war.

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video, The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, Rakuten Viki, Amazon Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home

Based on true events, this movie follows a Seoul taxi driver who takes a German reporter to Gwangju in 1980. They witness the military's violent response to pro-democracy protests, known as the Gwangju Uprising. Song Kang-ho plays the driver who risks everything to help spread the truth to the world. The film shows the courage of ordinary people during one of South Korea's darkest moments in modern history.

Where to Watch: OnDemandKorea, Amazon Video, Plex

This difficult but important film tells the story of a young girl named So-won who survives a terrible attack. Her family struggles to help her heal and find justice. The movie is based on the real case of "Na-young," which shocked South Korea in 2008 and led to changes in the country's laws. Sol Kyung-gu and Uhm Ji-won deliver powerful performances as the parents fighting for their daughter's recovery and future.

Where to Watch: Amazon Video, Apple TV

A widow moves to her late husband's hometown with her young son, hoping for a fresh start. When tragedy strikes again, she must face her grief and search for meaning in her suffering. Jeon Do-yeon won the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival for her raw and honest performance. Director Lee Chang-dong explores themes of faith, forgiveness, and how people cope with unbearable loss in this intense drama.

Where to Watch: The Roku Channel

A nine-year-old girl is left at an orphanage by her father and slowly learns to accept her new reality. The film shows her journey from anger and confusion to finding friendship and hope among the other children. Director Ounie Lecomte based this story on her own childhood experience of being abandoned at a Korean orphanage. The young actress Kim Sae-ron gives a heartbreaking performance that captures the pain of feeling unwanted.

Where to Watch: The Roku Channel

This epic film follows one man's life through major events in Korean history, from the Korean War to economic growth. Deok-soo makes many sacrifices for his family, working in German coal mines and Vietnamese war zones to support them. Starring Hwang Jung-min, the movie became the second highest-grossing film in Korean cinema history. It celebrates the generation that rebuilt South Korea after the war and gave everything for their children's future.

Where to Watch: Amazon Video, Fandango At Home, Apple TV

A spoiled city boy is sent to live with his elderly grandmother in the countryside. At first, he treats her badly because she cannot speak and lives simply without modern things. Slowly, he learns to appreciate her unconditional love and sacrifices. This gentle film shows how different generations can connect despite their differences. Director Lee Jeong-hyang creates a quiet but powerful story about family bonds and respect for elders.

Where to Watch: The Roku Channel

Two men who run a pawn shop take a young girl as collateral when her mother cannot repay a debt. They plan to keep her only temporarily, but they begin to care for her like family. Sung Dong-il and Ha Ji-won star in this touching story about unlikely bonds and second chances. The film shows how broken people can heal each other and create their own definition of family through love and kindness.

Where to Watch: Viki, Amazon Prime Video

A young couple falls deeply in love and gets married, but their happiness is tested when the wife develops early Alzheimer's disease. As her memory fades, her husband fights to hold onto their precious moments together. Jung Woo-sung and Son Ye-jin deliver emotional performances in this romantic drama. The film shows the power of love that remains even when memories disappear, reminding us to treasure every moment with the people we love.