Korean cinema has taken the world by storm with its powerful stories, emotional depth, and unforgettable characters. Among its many genres, Korean thrillers stand out the most: they’re intense, clever, and full of unexpected twists that keep you glued to the screen.
As of 2025, Netflix offers an amazing lineup of Korean thriller movies, from dark revenge stories to mind-bending mysteries. Here are the 20 best Korean thriller movies to watch on Netflix in 2025, a perfect mix of classics and new releases that every fan of suspense should see.
1. I Saw the Devil (2010)
I Saw the Devil is a gripping Korean action-thriller directed by Kim Jee-woon and starring Lee Byung-hun and Choi Min-sik. The film follows NIS agent Kim Soo-hyun (Lee), who seeks revenge after his fiancée is brutally murdered by a psychopathic serial killer, Jang Kyung-chul (Choi). Instead of killing him outright, Soo-hyun tracks and tortures the killer in a disturbing cycle of vengeance that blurs the line between justice and evil. Known for its intense performances, shocking violence, and emotional depth, I Saw the Devil explores how far a person can go before becoming the very monster they’re hunting. A dark, unforgettable masterpiece, it remains one of the best Korean thriller movies to watch on Netflix.
2. Parasite (2019)
Parasite is a South Korean black comedy thriller directed by Bong Joon Ho that follows the poor Kim family as they cleverly infiltrate the wealthy Park household, leading to shocking and tragic consequences. Starring Song Kang-ho, Cho Yeo-jeong, and Choi Woo-shik, the film masterfully blends dark humor and social commentary on class inequality. A global sensation, Parasite made history by winning the Palme d’Or at Cannes and four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, the first non-English-language film to do so. Praised for its storytelling, direction, and symbolism, it remains one of the best Korean movies ever made, and an HBO series adaptation is now in development.
3. The Call (2020)
The Call is a Korean sci-fi thriller starring Park Shin-hye and Jeon Jong-seo, where two women living 20 years apart become connected through a mysterious phone call. When Seo-yeon in 2019 answers a call from Young-sook in 1999, their friendship turns deadly as changing the past brings horrifying consequences. Directed by Lee Chung-hyun, this suspenseful Netflix film is praised for its intense story, strong performances, and clever twist on time and fate, making it one of the best Korean thrillers to watch on Netflix.
4. Unlocked (2023)
Unlocked is a South Korean psychological thriller on Netflix starring Chun Woo-hee, Im Si-wan, and Kim Hee-won. The story follows Lee Na-mi, a young woman whose life turns into a nightmare after she loses her smartphone. A mysterious man finds it, installs spyware, and starts controlling every part of her life, spying on her, ruining her job, and isolating her from friends. As a detective investigates a series of murders linked to the hacker, dark secrets from the past are uncovered. Unlocked is a gripping and chilling film that shows how one small mistake with technology can destroy everything.
5. Don’t Buy the Seller (2023)
Don’t Buy the Seller is a South Korean crime thriller starring Shin Hye-sun and Kim Sung-kyun. The film follows Su-hyun, an office worker who gets scammed after buying a broken washing machine online. When she exposes the seller, her life spirals out of control. She starts getting threatening calls, strange deliveries, and stalkers at her door. As she teams up with a detective to find the culprit, they uncover a shocking murder. Don’t Buy the Seller is a tense and chilling thriller about online scams and the dangers of digital trust.
6. Wall to Wall (2025)
Wall to Wall is a South Korean mystery thriller on Netflix, starring Kang Ha-neul, Yeom Hye-ran, and Seo Hyun-woo. The film follows Noh Woo-sung, whose life spirals out of control after moving into a new Seoul apartment, as mysterious noises, strange neighbors, and hidden subwoofers push him to the edge. As he investigates, he uncovers a web of surveillance, deception, and corruption, exposing a staged scandal in the building. Wall to Wall is a suspenseful, gripping thriller full of twists that keeps viewers on edge.
7. Ballerina (2023)
Ballerina is a South Korean action thriller on Netflix starring Jeon Jong-seo. The film follows Jang Ok-ju, a former bodyguard, who hunts down a sex trafficker responsible for her best friend’s death. Using her skills, she uncovers his crimes, rescues other victims, and confronts him in a deadly showdown. Ballerina is a fast-paced, intense thriller about revenge, justice, and empowerment.
8. Kill Boksoon (2023)
Kill Boksoon is a South Korean action thriller on Netflix starring Jeon Do-yeon. The film follows Gil Boksoon, a top contract killer and single mother, who faces dangerous missions while balancing her personal life and workplace rivalries. When assigned a sensitive job, she must confront tough choices that test her skills and morality. Kill Boksoon is an intense, gripping thriller blending action with emotional depth.
9. Door Lock (2018)
Door Lock is a South Korean psychological thriller starring Gong Hyo-jin. It follows Kyung-min, a woman living alone, who discovers someone breaking into her apartment. As the danger escalates, she becomes entangled in a terrifying murder case. Door Lock is a suspenseful, edge-of-your-seat thriller about fear and vulnerability at home.
10. Yaksha: Ruthless Operations (2022)
Yaksha: Ruthless Operations is a South Korean spy action thriller on Netflix starring Sul Kyung-gu and Park Hae-soo. It follows Han Ji-hoon, a demoted prosecutor who joins a secret NIS black ops team in China. Together, they tackle high-stakes missions involving espionage, North Korean intelligence, and international threats. Filled with action, suspense, and clever deception, Yaksha: Ruthless Operations is a gripping spy thriller about survival and loyalty.
11. Blood and Ties (2013)
Blood and Ties is a tense South Korean crime thriller about Da-eun, a young journalist who begins to suspect her loving father may have been involved in a 15-year-old kidnapping and murder. As she digs into his past, distrust and family tension grow, revealing dark secrets. With suspenseful twists and emotional depth, the film keeps viewers on edge until the very end.
12. Somebody (2024)
Somebody is a South Korean mystery thriller about a single mother, Young-eun, struggling to manage her dangerously unpredictable daughter, So-hyun. Twenty years later, So-hyun, now Min, works in crime scene cleanup, but her life is shaken when the mysterious Hae-young appears, bringing suspense and unsettling twists.
13. Unstoppable (2018)
Unstoppable is a South Korean action thriller about Kang Dong-cheol, a former gangster whose wife is kidnapped by a human trafficking ring. Using his skills and help from friends, he tracks down the criminals, rescues his wife, and exposes the trafficking network, ending with the couple reopening their life together and celebrating their victory.
14. The Villagers (Ordinary People) (2018)
The Villagers is a South Korean action thriller about Gi-cheol, a former boxing champion turned PE teacher, who investigates a student’s disappearance in a small village. He uncovers hidden cameras, corruption, and abuse by powerful townspeople, fights to save another student, and exposes the criminals, bringing justice to the victims.
15. The Chase (2017)
The Chase is a South Korean crime thriller about a grumpy landlord, Shim Deok-su, who joins forces with a retired detective to stop a string of murders and a kidnapping linked to a decades-old case, ultimately uncovering that the seemingly kind local doctor is the killer.
16. Forgotten (2017)
Forgotten is a South Korean mystery thriller about Jin-seok, who realizes his family isn’t what it seems after his brother returns from a mysterious kidnapping. As he uncovers hidden memories, he learns he unknowingly committed a double murder 20 years earlier, manipulated by a greedy doctor for insurance fraud. The film is a tense, suspenseful story of memory, guilt, and shocking twists that keep viewers on edge.
17. Believer (2018)
Believer is a South Korean action crime thriller about Detective Won-ho teaming up with Rak, a former gang member, to take down Asia’s top drug cartel. As they infiltrate the criminal world, Rak is revealed to be the elusive cartel boss, Mr. Lee, leading to intense action, shocking betrayals, and suspenseful twists, making the film a gripping and thrilling watch.
18. The Scam (2009)
The Scam is a South Korean crime thriller about Hyun-soo, an individual investor who hits it big but draws the attention of gangster-turned-financier Hwang Jong-gu. Recruited into Hwang’s elite team running a massive stock market scam, Hyun-soo gets caught in a tense web of deception, backstabbing, and high-stakes trades, fighting to survive in a dangerous game of money and manipulation.
19. Inside Men (2015)
Inside Men is a South Korean political thriller about corruption and revenge. A newspaper editor, Lee Kang-hee, helps a congressman rise to presidential power with a secret sponsor’s backing. When a loyal aide is brutally punished for exposing a slush fund, ambitious prosecutor Woo Jang-hoon joins him to seek justice. Together, they uncover the dark schemes behind politics and power, exposing the hidden corruption at the top.
20. Tunnel (2016)
Tunnel is a South Korean survival drama about Lee Jung-soo, a car salesman trapped when a tunnel collapses. With guidance from rescue chief Kim Dae-kyung, he struggles to survive using limited supplies while rescuers work above. After 35 tense days, overcoming setbacks and tragedy, Jung-soo is finally saved, showcasing human courage, resilience, and hope in life-or-death situations.
Conclusion
These 20 Korean thrillers on Netflix show just how powerful and diverse Korean cinema can be. Each movie offers something unique: shocking twists, emotional storytelling, and unforgettable characters. Whether it’s the brutal revenge of I Saw the Devil, the social tension of Parasite, or the psychological mystery of The Call, there’s something here for every kind of thriller fan.
With these Korean thriller movies on Netflix, your next movie night is guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat.
