10 Best South Korean Comedy Movies, Ranked
South Korean filmmaking has gained international acclaim in recent years, with projects like Parasite and Squid Game finding success all around the globe. In truth, the country’s cinema has been creative and interesting for decades. While the best South Korean films tend to be dark or violent, leaning toward action and sci-fi, the country has also produced a number of terrific comedies. They run the gamut from satire to rom-coms, heartfelt comedy-dramas to laugh-out-laud social commentary.
Humor doesn’t always translate well between languages, but the following movies do a good job of it, remaining accessible to international viewers. Whether it’s a story about an aging grandmother who magically becomes young again or a conman pretending to be a superhero, these films bring a fresh perspective to the comedy genre. With this in mind, here are ten of the best South Korean comedy movies, ranked.
10
‘Scandal Makers’ (2008)
Directed by Kang Hyeong-cheol
Scandal Makers follows Nam Hyeon-soo (Cha Tae-hyun), a former teen idol turned popular radio DJ whose life is turned upside down when a young woman (Park Bo-young) shows up at his doorstep claiming to be his daughter, along with her son, his grandson (Wang Seok-hyeon). Hyeon-soo is forced to navigate the challenges of sudden fatherhood while trying to keep the scandal a secret from the public. As he adjusts to his unexpected role as a grandfather, comic situations arise, especially as he tries to
The film is a delightful mix of humor and heart, as Hyeon-soo’s interactions with his daughter and grandson reveal his softer side. Plus, much of the comedy stems from his attempts to balance his public image with his newfound responsibilities. It’s one of the better executions of the “reformed playboy turned reluctant parent” trope, anchored by a cool, charming lead performance from Cha. It all builds up to a lively musical finale.
9
‘A Man Who Was Superman’ (2008)
Directed by Jeong Yoon-cheol
A Man Who Was Superman tells the story of a cynical documentary filmmaker named Song Soo-jung (Jun Ji-hyun), who encounters Lee Hyun-suk (Hwang Jung-min), a man claiming to be Superman. This Superman doesn’t have superpowers but insists on helping people in his own unique, sometimes comical ways. As Soo-jung films his antics, she learns that the man’s delusion of being Superman stems from a traumatic past, and what starts as a mockumentary slowly transforms into a touching story of hope and healing.
The movie mixes in elements of magical realism, alternating between goofy and poignant. Although it begins lighthearted, it gets more thoughtful and profound as it rolls along, becoming a commentary on modern South Korean society. Some of the third-act scenes get surprisingly emotional, too, with Hwang doing most of the heavy lifting. The film is also solidly written, with memorable lines like “Strength doesn’t open big iron doors, but a small key.”
8
‘Miss Granny’ (2014)
Directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk
Image via CJ Entertainment Miss Granny centers on Oh Mal-soon (Shim Eun-kyung), a 74-year-old woman who magically finds herself transformed into her 20-year-old self after visiting a mysterious photo studio. Now young again and adopting the name Oh Doo-ri, she decides to enjoy the life she never got to fully live, including pursuing her dream of becoming a singer. But as she navigates her new life, she must keep her identity a secret while rekindling her relationship with her family in unexpected ways.
Miss Granny combines comedy with a touching exploration of aging, family, and second chances. Like A Man Who Was Superman, it starts out silly but gets somber and deep. The quirky clever premise and heartwarming narrative struck a chord with audiences, becoming a box office hit in South Korea (it grossed an impressive $58m against a budget of just $3.2m). It has since been the basis for several international remakes, with an American one currently in development.
7
‘Going by the Book’ (2007)
Directed by Ra Hee-chan
Going by the Book is an action comedy about Jeong Do-man (Jung Jae-young), an honest but overly diligent traffic cop who is tasked with playing the role of a bank robber in a police training exercise. What starts as a simple simulation quickly spirals out of control when Jeong decides to play his role with absolute seriousness, turning the exercise into a full-scale hostage crisis that feels all too real. His strict adherence to rules and procedures leads to chaos, with the police struggling to contain the situation.
The resulting heist movie is a satire of law enforcement and conformity. Packed with offbeat and unpredictable moments, the heist film stands out as a peculiar yet refreshing twist on the subgenre. It works thanks to Jeong’s deadpan commitment to his role, highlighting the absurdity of bureaucracy and the unintended consequences of following rules to the letter. He’s just as meticulous at robbing banks as he is at directing traffic.
6
‘My Annoying Brother’ (2016)
Directed by Kwon Soo-kyung
This comedy-drama explores the strained relationship between two brothers. Doo-young (Doh Kyung-soo), a talented judo athlete, loses his sight in a tragic accident, and his estranged older brother Doo-shik (Jo Jung-suk), is granted parole from prison to take care of him. The two brothers initially clash, but as they spend more time together, they begin to rebuild their connection, leading to moments of comedy and unexpected bonding.
Although there’s humor here, My Annoying Brother becomes a full-on tearjerker by the third act. It hits powerfully on themes of family, redemption, and the healing power of love (even if it’s a bit formulaic). The leads deliver strong performances, particularly Doh, a member of the boy band Exo (he even performs a song). Here, he’s believable as a gifted athlete whose promising future is abruptly shattered by a life-changing disability. Doh’s efforts earned him a number of awards in his home country, including Best New Actor.
5
‘I Can Speak’ (2017)
Directed by Kim Hyun-seok
Inspired by real events, this comedy-drama tells the story of Na Ok-boon (Na Moon-hee), an elderly woman known in her neighborhood for filing endless complaints at the local government office. When she meets Park Min-jae (Lee Je-hoon), a young civil servant who speaks English, she seizes the opportunity to learn the language from him. As their unlikely friendship develops, the film reveals deeper layers, including Ok-boon’s painful history as a former “comfort woman” during the Japanese occupation.
I Can Speak was critically acclaimed for its sensitive handling of difficult subject manner, winning numerous Korean film awards. The 1930s and ’40s were a dark time for Korea, but the filmmakers engage with the history forthrightly. A smart script, impressive cinematography, and wonderful performances hold it all together. The film skillfully intertwines themes of bravery, perseverance, and breaking language barriers, all while conveying the hopeful message that it’s never too late to learn and stand up for what’s right.
4
‘Hello Ghost’ (2010)
Directed by Kim Young-tak
Like I Can Speak, Hello Ghost also takes on serious issues with a light touch. It revolves around Sang-man (Cha Tae-hyun), a lonely man who, after a failed suicide attempt, begins to see ghosts who refuse to leave him alone until he helps them fulfill their last wishes. Each ghost has a unique personality, leading Sang-man on a series of bizarre and touching adventures. As he reluctantly assists these spirits, he begins to learn valuable lessons about life, love, and the importance of family.
This is a screwball comedy with a supernatural edge, featuring yet another winning performance from Cha. It has a satisfying structure, with vignettes centered around each ghost that are eventually woven together by the climax. Once again, this a comedy that gets emotional, so tissues may be necessary. At one point, Chris Columbus was attached to an American remake, but it has not yet come to fruition.
3
‘Midnight Runners’ (2017)
Directed by Kim Joo-hwan
Midnight Runners is an action-comedy about two police academy cadets, Ki-joon (Park Seo-joon) and Hee-yeol (Kang Ha-neul), who witness a kidnapping and decide to take matters into their own hands when the authorities are slow to respond. The duo’s lack of experience and clumsy attempts at crime-fighting lead to a series of comic adventures, but their determination to save the victim drives the film’s heart. It culminates in an epic showdown where the heroes, decked in “borrowed” armor, give the baddies what they deserve.
This is a buddy cop comedy, with high-energy action sequences, a ton of slapstick, and an endearing dynamic between the main characters. The plot is not especially original, but it’s well-executed, serving up a steady stream of gags. It also plays with some surprisingly dark ideas, like organ harvesting. Midnight Runners was well-received in South Korea, grossing $39m and spawning an Indian remake. Fans of this subgenre should give it a try.
2
‘Miracle in Cell No. 7’ (2013)
Directed by Lee Hwan-kyung
In this one, a mentally challenged man named Yong-gu (Ryu Seung-ryong) is wrongfully imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit. In prison, he befriends his cellmates, who help him reunite with his young daughter, Ye-sung (Kal So-won), by sneaking her into their cell. Despite the bleak circumstances, the inmates form a makeshift family, creating moments of joy, laughter, and deep bonds that transcend their confinement.
This is yet another fusion of comedy with hard-hitting themes, a combination the filmmakers pull off with style and grace. Indeed, the movie weaves together elements of a prison tale, family drama, redemption arc, investigative thriller, and courtroom drama, all in one package. Miracle in Cell No. 7 was inspired by a true story, adding to the impact. It was something of a sleeper hit in South Korea, spreading by word of mouth, defying expectations, and bringing in an impressive $82m. Sure, some of the scenes are overly sentimental and crowd-pleasing, but the ensemble cast is so likable that it doesn’t matter.
1
‘Save the Green Planet!’ (2003)
Directed by Jang Joon-hwan
When it comes to the best South Korean comedies, it’s hard to top this strange gem. It’s a darkly funny sci-fi thriller about Byeong-gu (Shin Ha-kyun), a man who believes that aliens are conspiring to destroy Earth. Convinced that his former boss is an alien leader, Byeong-gu kidnaps him and attempts to extract a confession, leading to a bizarre and increasingly violent series of events.
The movie is a straight-up fever dream. It bounces between comedy and horror, with a few scenes riffing on comic books and superhero movies. There’s thought beneath the wackiness, however, with the movie touching on real-world issues around Korean labor movements and anti-fascist resistance. Not for nothing, Save the Green Planet! was embraced by filmmakers like Martin Scorsese and Ari Aster. Aster called the film “one of the most remarkable films to come out of South Korea.” Yorgos Lanthimos has even been linked to a possible English-language remake.
