Korean romance films have been capturing audiences from all around the world with their universal themes of love, loss, and human connection. From historical epics to intimate modern-day classics, these films offer a poignant exploration of the human experience. Here are our top ten picks for the most romantic Korean films to add to your watchlist this Valentine’s Day:
“20th Century Girl” takes us back to 90s South Korea and follows the story of 17-year-old Bo-ra as she navigates friendship and first love. This emotionally charged film is a loose retelling of the director Bang Woo-ri’s own coming-of-age story, lending the film an air of authenticity and honesty.
“A Moment to Remember” is a tale of love and loss that centers around a young couple, Su-jin and Chul-soo. The film captures the raw, unfiltered emotions and challenges of coping with Alzheimer’s disease, as the couple struggles to keep their love alive. This poignant film drives home the significance of cherishing every moment.
“Always” is a delicately crafted film that takes place on a desolate construction site and follows the unlikely relationship between Cheol-min, a fallen boxing champion, and Jung-hwa, an enigmatic parking attendant who is visually impaired. The film is a testament to the human spirit and the transformative power of love even in the toughest of times.
In “Ditto,” Yoon So-eun stumbles upon a frequency that allows her to communicate with a fellow student, Ji-in. The duo soon discovers a mystery that draws them closer to each other. This film dives headfirst into the human experience of connection, and how it can transcend the limits of reality and destiny.
“Love & Leashes” breaks new ground as it explores themes of courtship and infatuation through the taboo world of sexual fetishes and unorthodox kinks. Starring Girls’ Generation’s Seohyun and former U-KISS member Lee Jun-young, this raunchy yet respectful film captures the dynamic of a unconventional relationship that we can’t help but root for.
In “Maundy Thursday,” we witness the unlikely relationship between a young woman named Yu-jeong and Yun-soo, a prisoner on death row. The film explores the nuances of grief, trauma, and the reality of emotions that transcend social status, twisting into a tragic tale as the date of Yun-soo’s execution looms near.
“Oasis” challenges notions of beauty, attraction, compassion, and normalcy through the unexpected love story between an ex-convict with intellectual disabilities and a young woman afflicted with cerebral palsy. This unflinching portrayal of the marginalized navigating a world that seeks to cast them aside speaks volumes to the power of empathy.
“Romang” paints a vivid picture of resilience against the effects of time and age as it follows the story of Lee Mae-ja and Jo Nam-bong, an elderly couple who suffer from worsening dementia. As the film chronicles the inevitable loss of their memories, we witness the actors come together to capture the essence of existentialism.
“Snow in Sea Breeze” tells the story of Sun-mi, who has learned to live with a chronic illness, and how she meets Sang-woo. This tragic romance film may not have been on everyone’s radar when it first released, but it has since made a name for itself as a diamond in the landscape of Korean romance films.
In “Will You Be There?” well-regarded surgeon Soo-hyun is dying of illness and wishes to reunite with his lost
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