It's no secret that South Korea has now become a force to be reckoned with in the global film industry, ever since Parasite's historic winning of awards in 2019 and 2020. With 2021 also bringing box office hits like Space Sweepers, Night In Paradise, Hard Hit and Spiritwalker, it is safe to say that 2022 is also going to be a promising year for South Korean cinema.

From high-concept fantasies and intense thrillers, to sweet love stories, here are some of the most anticipated Korean films still to come in 2022:

8 Seoul Vibe - TBA 2022

Seoul Vibe
Netflix

During the 1988 Seoul Olympics, a slush fund controversy erupts because of an influential figure in a high position. Knowing that the law is powerless to take them down, a ragtag group of individuals with varying motivations band together to take action.

Directed by Hyun-Sung Moon, famous for his action comedies, Seoul Vibe promises a similar experience. With a well-known cast, featuring Yoo Ah-in (Veteran, Burning), Go Kyung-pyo (Chicago Typewriter), Park Ju-hyun (Extracurricular) and ex-Wanna One member Ong Seong-wu, this is one heist that should not be missed!

7 The Witch: Part 2: The Other One - June 15, 2022

The Witch Part 2 The Other One
Next Entertainment World

While trying to defend her home from criminal gangs, Kyung Hee (Park Eun-bin) stumbles upon a young girl (Shin Shi Ah) trying to escape from a secret experimental facility. She is the only survivor of a terrible laboratory experiment and is now being targeted by a powerful gang. When Kyung Hee's life gets threatened again, the girl protects her from the criminal gang by displaying her true power. Neither of the two young women is aware of the dangers that now surround them.

The much-awaited sequel to the 2018 film, The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion, the film presents an entirely new cast, with director Park Hoon-jung (Night In Paradise, V.I.P) returning to head the production. The film had a highly intensive auditioning process for the lead role with 1408 competitors. The film also marks Lee Jong-suk's (While You Were Sleeping) return to the silver screen after completing his military service.

6 Secret - TBA 2022

Secret
Hive Media Corp.

Yoo Joon (Do Kyung-Soo) is a piano prodigy who transfers into a new high school. One day, while walking around piano practice rooms, he overhears a mysterious melody being played. While looking to find the person playing it, he comes across the enigmatic Jung Ah (Won Jin-ah) and this encounter sets their relationship in motion, one that is riddled with secrets.

Secret is an upcoming romance-fantasy film that is a remake of the 2007 Taiwanese film by famous singer-songwriter Jay Chou. Directed by female screenwriter and director You-min Seo (The Last Princess), the film marks the silver screen comeback of celebrated idol actor, EXO's Do Kyung-Soo, after the completion of his military service.

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Broker Receives 12-Minute Standing Ovation at Cannes, Longest Ever for a Korean Film

5 Hunt - August 10, 2022

Hunt
Megabox

Two National Intelligence Service (NIS) agents: Park Pyung Ho (Lee Jung-jae) and Kim Jung Do (Jung Woo-sung), unearth a massive conspiracy on a mission to discover who's behind the infiltration of North Korean spies in the South.

The directorial debut of Squid Game's lead actor Lee Jung-jae, this political espionage film features an ensemble cast of veteran Korean actors (Jung Woo-sung, Jeon Hye-jin), along with rising talents (Go Youn Jung). Hunt also marks the reunion of Lee Jung-jae with actor Heo Sung-tae, his co-star in Squid Game.

4 Decision to Leave - June 29, 2022

Decision to Leave
CJ Entertainment

An unnatural death in the mountains sparks an intense investigation for Detective Hae Joon (Park Hae-il). When he comes across the victim's elusive wife, Seo Rae (Tang Wei), things immediately feel amiss, but he cannot deny feeling strangely drawn to her.

Written and directed by celebrated genius Park Chan-wook (The Handmaiden, Old Boy), this romance-thriller is another one of South Korea's entries to the Cannes International Film Festival. Decision to Leave was nominated for the Palme D'Or (Grand Prize), with Park Chan-wook winning the Best Director award.

3 Alienoid - July 27, 2022

Alienoid
CJ E&M

When aliens invade Earth, they make a pit stop in South Korea. This action causes an anomaly in the fabric of space and time, opening up a portal to the ancient Goryeo dynasty. People from modern day must join hands with those from the 14th century to put an end to this chaos.

Written and directed by the highly-skilled Choi Dong-hoon (The Thieves, Tazza) this fusion film has already received the green-light for a sequel. Alienoid features a versatile star-studded cast led by Ryu Jun-yeol (Reply 1988), Kim Tae-ri (Twenty-Five Twenty-One, The Handmaiden), and Kim Woo-bin (The Heirs) to name a few. Not only does Alienoid come with scenes full of action, but it is also packed with comedy. It's worth watching for those who love a good mash-up of comedy, thriller, mystery and action.

Related:

Best South Korean Films of the 2000s, Ranked

2 Wonderland - September 2022

Wonderland
Acemaker
Movieworks
Netflix

Wonderland tells the story of a simulated universe controlled by people on the outside. Choi Woo-shik (Parasite) and Jung Yu-mi's (Train to Busan) characters oversee the operations of this world. Suzy (Start-Up) and Park Bo-gum (Love in the Moonlight) play the role of a young couple suffering at the hands of fate when Bo-Gum falls into a coma. Gong Yoo (Goblin) plays a man mourning the loss of his wife, played by Tang Wei (Lust, Caution).

When their lives get too painful to bear, Suzy and Gong Yoo make requests to have a simulated reunion with their loved ones in Wonderland.

With a star-studded ensemble cast featuring some of the biggest names in the Korean industry, Wonderland is an upcoming science-fiction drama film. With production led by veteran director Kim Tae-yong, Wonderland looks promising to be a box office hit.

1 Broker - June 8, 2022

Broker
CJ ENM

In a collaboration between South Korea and Japan, Broker is directed by Koreeda Hirokazu (Shoplifters). Sang Hyun (Song Kang-Ho) and Dong Soo (Gang Dong-Won) are two men who illegally provide babies to childless parents. Parents, who cannot take care of their babies, drop them at an anonymous place dedicated to abandoned children. Things get complicated when they get involved with So Young (IU), a young woman who abandoned her baby, but has now come to take him back. To make matters worse, Detective Soo Jin (Bae Doona) and Detective Lee (Lee Joo-Young) are hot on their trail. Broker offers a roller coaster ride of heart-warming emotions, along with great action and suspense.

The film features a star-studded cast, including Song Kang-Ho​​​​​​​ (Parasite), Gang Dong-won (Temptation of Wolves), Bae Doona (Sense8), and singer-songwriter IU. Nominated for the Palme D'Or at this year's Cannes International Film Festival, this film received the Jury Prize. Along with that, Song Kang-Ho​​​​​​​ won the award for Best Actor.