List of South Korean films of 2021 explained

The following is a list of South Korean films released in 2021.

Box office

The highest-grossing South Korean films released in 2021, by domestic box office gross revenue, are as follows:^[1]

Highest-grossing films released in 2021

Rank	Title	Distributor	Domestic gross
1	Escape from Mogadishu	Lotte Entertainment	$28,955,409
2	Sinkhole	Showbox	$17,926,756
3		Next Entertainment World	$13,058,426
4	On the Line	CJ Entertainment	$11,751,610
5	Hard Hit		$7,627,011
6	The Medium	Showbox	$7,238,857
7	Spiritwalker	Megabox JoongAng PlusM	$6,611,996
8		Lotte Entertainment	$5,559,237
9	Romance Without Love	CJ Entertainment	$5,128,145
10	Perhaps Love	Next Entertainment World	$4,345,842

Released

January–March

Opening		English title	Native title	Director(s)	Cast
J A N U A R Y	1	What Happened to Mr. Cha?	Korean: 차인표	Kim Dong-kyu	Cha In-pyo, Song Jae-ryong	^[2]
	6	Finding Angel	Korean: 천사는 바이러스	Kim Sung-joon	Lee Young-ah, Park Sung-il, Jeon Moo-song, Moon Sook	^[3]
	14	Cute Man	Korean: 귀여운 남자	Kim Jung-wook	Shin Min-jae, Lee Jin-ri, Hwang Jung-yoon, Hong Ha-na-im	^[4]
		Loop Dreams	Korean: 요요현상	Go Du-hyun	Moon Hyun-woong, Kwak Dong-gun, Yoon Jong-gi, Lee Dae-yeol, Lee Dong-hoon
		Sword of Sarasen	Korean: 사라센의 칼	Lim Jae-young	Shin Ji-soo, Park Myung-shin, Kim Feel, Park Song-tek	^[5]
		Little Bird	Korean: 작은새	Kim Tae-kyun	Lee Ki-hyuk, Lee Hye-ah	^[6]
	21	Croissant	Korean: 크루아상			^[7]
		Today, Together 2	Korean: 오늘, 우리2	Lee Joon-seop, Lee Na-yeon, Yang Jae-joon, Yeo Jang-cheon	Ki Joo-bong, Park Se-jun, Shin Ji-yi, Son Jung-yoon	^[8]
		My Big Mama’s Crazy Ride	Korean: 큰엄마의 미친봉고	Baek Seung-hwan	Jung Young-joo, Kim Ga-eun, Hwang Seok-jeong, Yu Seong-ju, Jo Dal-hwan, Jung Dae-gwan	^[9]
		Bike Guys	Korean: 바이크 원정대: 인 이탈리아	Go Young-jo	Song Jae-hee, ISU, J.Yoon, Ryuseok, Kim Sun-bin	^[10]
	27	Three Sisters	Korean: 세자매	Lee Seung-won		^[11]
	28	I Don’t Fire Myself	Korean: 나는 나를 해고하지 않는다	Lee Tae-gyeom		^[12]
		The ABCs of Our Relationship	Korean: 관계의 가나다에 있는 우리는	Lee In-eui	Eun Hae-seong, Oh Ha-nee, Lee Seo-yoon, Jang Joon-hwi, Kim Ji-na	^[13]
		Rule of the Game: Human Hunting	Korean: 게임의 법칙: 인간사냥	Lee Soo-sung		^[14]
	F E B R U A R Y	3	Stress Zero	Korean: 스트레스 제로	Lee Dae-hee	Im Chae-heon, Yoo Dong-kyun, Kim Seung-tae	^[15]
There Is an Alien Here			Korean: 이 안에 외계인이 있다	Choi Eun-jong	Jo Byeong-kyu, Bae Noo-ri, Lee Hyun-woong, Tae Hang-ho, Yoon Jin-young	^[16]
5		Space Sweepers	Korean: 승리호			^[17]
10		I	Korean: 아이	Kim Hyun-tak		^[18]
		New Year Blues	Korean: 새해전야	Hong Ji-young		^[19]
17			Korean: 미션 파서블	Kim Hyung-joo		^[20]
		Double Patty	Korean: 더블패티	Baek Seung-hwan		^[21]
18		Black Light	Korean: 빛과 철	Bae Jong-dae		^[22]
24		Go Back	Korean: 고백	Seo Eun-young		^[23]
M A R C H	24	The Box	더 박스	Yang Jung-woong	Park Chanyeol, Jo Dal-hwan	^[24]
	31	The Book of Fish	자산어보			^[25]

April–June

Opening		English title	Native title	Director(s)	Cast
A P R I L	9	Night in Paradise	Korean: 낙원의 밤			^[26]
	15	Seo Bok	Korean: 서복			^[27]
	21	Recalled	Korean: 내일의 기억	Seo Yoo-min		^[28]
	28	Waiting for Rain	비와 당신의 이야기	Jo Jin-mo	Kang Ha-neul, Chun Woo-hee, Kang So-ra	^[29]
M A Y	19	Aloners	혼자 사는 사람들	Hong Sung-eun	Gong Seung-yeon, Jeong Da-eun, Seo Hyun-woo, Park Jeong-hak	^[30]
	26	Pipeline	파이프라인		Seo In-guk, Lee Soo-hyuk, Eum Moon-suk	^[31]
	27	Introduction	인트로덕션			^[32]
J U N E	4	Sweet & Sour	새콤달콤	Lee Gye-byeok		^[33]
	23	Hard Hit	발신제한	Kim Chang-ju		^[34]
	30	Midnight	미드나이트	Kwon Oh-seung		^[35]

July–September

Opening		English title	Native title	Director(s)	Cast
J U L Y	2	The 8th Night	제8일의 밤	Kim Tae-hyung		^[36]
	14	The Medium	랑종		Narilya Gulmongkolpech, Sawanee Utoomma, Sirani Yankittikan, Yasaka Chaisorn	^[37]
	28	Escape from Mogadishu	모가디슈			^[38]
			방법: 재차의	Kim Yong-wan		^[39]
A U G U S T	11	Sinkhole	싱크홀			^[40]
	18		인질	Pil Kam-sung		^[41]
	25		귀문	Shim Duck-geun	Kim Kang-woo, Kim So-hye, Lee Jung-hyung	^[42]
S E P T E M B E R	1	Snowball	최선의 삶	Lee Woo-jeong	Bang Min-ah, Shim Dal-gi, Han Sung-min	^[43]
	9	Show Me the Ghost	쇼미더고스트	Kim Eun-kyoung	Han Seung-yeon, Kim Hyun-mok, Hong Seung-bum	^[44]
	15	The Miracle	기적	Lee Jang-hoon	Park Jung-min, Im Yoon-ah, Lee Sung-min	^[45]
		On the Line	보이스	Kim Gok, Kim Sun	Byun Yo-han, Kim Mu-yeol, Kim Hee-won	^[46]

October–December

Opening		English title	Native title	Director(s)	Cast
O C T O B E R	6	F20		Hong Eun-mi	Jang Young-nam, Kim Jung-young, Lee Ji-ha	^[47]
N O V E M B E R	10	Tomb of the River	강릉	Yoon Young-bin		^[48]
	17	Perhaps Love	장르만 로맨스			^[49]
	24	Romance Without Love	연애 빠진 로맨스	Jeong Ga-young		^[50]
		Spiritwalker	유체이탈자	Yoon Jae-geun		^[51]
D E C E M B E R	8		몬스타엑스: 더 드리밍	Oh Yoon-dong, Sung Shin-hyo		^[52]
	29	A Year-End Medley	해피 뉴 이어			^[53]

See also

• List of 2021 box office number-one films in South Korea
• 2021 in South Korea
• Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cinema

Notes and References

1. Web site: Yearly Box Office (2021). Korean Film Council. January 3, 2022.
2. Web site: Kwak. Yeon-soo. Netflix film 'What Happened to Mr. Cha?' showcases real Cha In-pyo. The Korea Times. December 29, 2020. January 5, 2021.
3. Web site: Han. Hoon. ko:전주 얼굴없는 천사가 영화로…1월 '천사는 바이러스' 개봉. https://newsis.com/view/?id=NISX20201230_0001289002&cID=10808&pID=10800. Newsis. December 30, 2020. ko. January 5, 2021.
4. Web site: 2021.1.14 Now Playing. January 13, 2021. Korea JoongAng Daily. January 13, 2021.
5. Web site: Han. Hyung-jung. ko:신지수 컴백작 '사라센의 칼', 내년 1월 개봉[공식]. https://www.mk.co.kr/star/movies/view/2020/12/1284820/. MK. December 15, 2020. ko. January 7, 2021.
6. Web site: New Stills and Videos Added for the Korean Movie "Little Bird". January 14, 2021. HanCinema. February 2, 2021.
7. Web site: Han. Hyung-jung. ko:남보라X빅스 한상혁 청춘 영화 ‘크루아상’ 1월 개봉[공식]. https://www.mk.co.kr/star/movies/view/2020/12/1310657/. MK. December 22, 2020. ko. January 6, 2021.
8. Web site: Kwak. Yeon-soo. Anthology film 'Today, Together 2' reflects on meaning of family in modern Korea. The Korea Times. January 13, 2021. January 13, 2021.
9. Web site: Lee. Jae-lim. KT’s 'My Big Mama’s Crazy Ride' released in Megabox branches nationwide Thursday. January 21, 2021. Korea JoongAng Daily. January 22, 2021.
10. Web site: New Cast Posters Added for the Upcoming Korean Movie "Bike Guys". January 18, 2021. HanCinema. February 2, 2021.
11. Web site: Song. Seung-hyun. Moon So-ri to return to big screen as brown-nosed middle child. The Korea Herald. January 19, 2021. January 19, 2021.
12. Web site: Kwak. Yeon-soo. 'It's Okay to Not Be Okay' star Oh Jung-se returns with powerful social drama. The Korea Times. January 20, 2021. January 20, 2021.
13. Web site: Lee. Jae-lim. Director Lee In-eui's latest film takes inspiration from his own experiences. January 27, 2021. Korea JoongAng Daily. January 27, 2021.
14. Web site: New Still and Trailer Added for the Upcoming Korean Movie "Rule of the Game: Human Hunting". January 27, 2021. HanCinema. February 2, 2021.
15. Web site: Choi. Young-joo. ko:[노컷 리뷰]아이도 어른도 유쾌 통쾌 히어로물 '스트레스 제로'. https://www.nocutnews.co.kr/news/5492654. No Cut News. February 3, 2021. ko. February 2, 2021.
16. Web site: Min. Kyung-won. The future appears bright for actor Jo Byung-gyu. February 4, 2021. Korea JoongAng Daily. February 16, 2021.
17. Web site: Gyu-lee. Lee. Blockbuster 'Space Sweepers' to debut on Netflix Feb. 5. January 6, 2021. The Korea Times. January 6, 2021.
18. Web site: Yeon-soo. Kwak. Kim Hyang-gi's new film 'I' shares glimpses of healing, hope. January 24, 2021. The Korea Times. January 24, 2021.
19. Web site: Yeon-soo. Kwak. Yoo Teo plays Paralympic snowboarder in rom-com 'New Year Blues'. February 3, 2021. The Korea Times. February 3, 2021.
20. Web site: [공식]김영광X이선빈 코믹 액션 '미션 파서블', 17일 개봉 확정…포스터 공개]. [Official]Kim Young-kwang x Lee Sun-bin comic action'Mission Possible' confirmed to be released on the 17th... Poster public. February 3, 2021. February 4, 2021. Sports Chosun. Lee Seung-mi. Naver. ko.
21. Web site: Irene of Red Velvet to Make Big Screen Debut Next Month. January 30, 2021. The Chosun Ilbo. February 6, 2021.
22. Web site: Yeon-soo. Kwak. 'House of Hummingbird' star Park Ji-hu embraces her full potential in 'Black Light'. February 8, 2021. The Korea Times. February 8, 2021.
23. Web site: Yeon-soo. Kwak. Child abuse movie 'Go Back' moving and timely yet unconvincing. February 8, 2021. The Korea Times. February 8, 2021.
24. Web site: KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) The Box (2021). April 4, 2021. KOFIC.
25. Web site: KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) The Box (2021). April 12, 2021. KOFIC.
26. Web site: 영화 ‘서복’ 내달 15일 극장-온라인 동시 개봉. "The movie 'Seobok' will be released simultaneously in theater-online on the 15th of next month.". Jae-hee . Kim. March 4, 2021. March 4, 2021. Donga Ilbo. ko.
27. Web site: 'Night in Paradise' offers rare glimpses of tranquility amid bloody gang war . Kwak . Yeon-soo. The Korea Times. April 5, 2021. April 9, 2021.
28. News: '의혹 덩어리' 서예지, 주연작 '내일의 기억' 예매율 상위권 . Seo Ye-ji, the lead film'Memory of Tomorrow', tops the reservation rate . Noh Gyu-min . 16 April 2021. April 18, 2021. Hankyung . N. ko.
29. Web site: 영화 비와 당신의 이야기 정보 : 네이버 통합검색. Movie Rain and your story information. May 2, 2021. Naver . ko.
30. News: 공승연 주연 '혼자 사는 사람들', 韓영화 예매율 1위…본격 입소문 시작 . Gong Seung-yeon's 'People Living Alone' tops the reservation rate for Korean films... Start real word of mouth . Yang Yu-jin . My Daily . Naver. May 18, 2021. December 6, 2021 . ko.
31. Web site: [Photo] New Poster Added for the Upcoming Korean Movie "Pipeline" ]. May 18, 2021. May 21, 2021. HanCinema.
32. News: '인트로덕션' 홍상수 감독 없이..신석호X박미소X서영화,GV일정 공개 [M+TV인사이드] ]. 'Introduction' without director Hong Sang-soo... Shin Seok-ho X Park Miso X Seo Young-hwa, GV schedule revealed . Kim Mi-hwa . Star News . Naver . May 24, 2021. July 4, 2021.
33. Web site: Korean movie ‘Sweet and Sour’ is coming to Netflix in June . Rappler. April 7, 2021. April 7, 2021.
34. News: '발신제한' 6월 23일 개봉 확정…조우진 "건강하게 극장에서 만나요" . 'Send Restriction' to be released on June 23rd... Jo Woo-jin "See you at the theater in good health" . Kim Yoo-jin . Export News . Naver. June 7, 2021. June 7, 2021. ko.
35. News: '미드나이트' 진기주 "누군가의 인생작품을 만드는 것이 꿈" . 'Midnight' Jin Ki-joo "It's my dream to make someone's life work" . Hong Sang-hee . YTN . Naver . July 1, 2021. July 1, 2021. ko.
36. News: Occult thriller 'The 8th Night' to debut on Netflix in July . Kwak Yeon-soo . May 27, 2021. The Korean Times.
37. News: 나홍진 '랑종' 올여름 최고 화제작 등극 '블랙위도우' 제치고 예매율 1위 . Na Hong-jin's 'Rangjong' ranks first in ticket sales, surpassing 'Black Widow' to become the most talked-about film this summer . Park Pan-seok . Osen . Naver . July 11, 2021. July 11, 2021. ko.
38. News: ‘모가디슈’ 7월28일 개봉‥김윤석X조인성 혼신의 탈출 예고편 공개 . Bae Hyo-joo . 'Mogadishu' released on July 28th ... Trailer of escape of Kim Yun-seok X Jo In-seong released . Newsen . Naver . June 22, 2021 . June 22, 2021 . ko.
39. News: "죽은 자가 살인을"…'방법' 티저 예고 공개 . Im Jong-myung . "The dead commit murder"... 'How to' teaser trailer released . Newsis . Naver . June 23, 2021 . June 23, 2021 . ko.
40. News: 초대형 '싱크홀'에 떨어진 차승원·김성균·이광수…8월11일 개봉 확정 . Cha Seung-won, Kim Seong-gyun, Lee Kwang-soo, who fell into a very large 'sinkhole'... Confirmed to be released on August 11th . Jang Ah-reum . News1 . Naver . June 28, 2021. June 28, 2021. ko.
41. News: [공식] "여름 황정민 온다"…황정민 원맨쇼 '인질', 8월 18일 개봉 확정 ]. [Official] "Summer Jungmin Hwang is coming" Hwang Jung-min's one-man show 'Hostage' to be released on August 18th . Jo Ji-young . Sports Chosun . Naver . July 14, 2021. July 14, 2021.
42. News: 김강우·김소혜 공포 영화 '귀문', 25일 개봉 . Baek Seung-hoon . Kim Kang-woo and Kim So-hye's horror movie 'The Gates', released on the 25th . Newsis . Naver . August 9, 2021 . August 15, 2021 . ko.
43. News: 방민아 주연 '최선의 삶', 9월1일 개봉 . 'The Best Life', starring Minah Bang, will be released on September 1st. . Baek Seung-hoon . Newsis . Naver . August 4, 2021 . August 22, 2021 . ko.
44. News: 카라 출신 한승연 '쇼미더고스트', 9월 9일 개봉..내집 사수 셀프 퇴마 . KARA's Han Seung-yeon's 'Show Me the Ghost' will be released on September 9th... My house shooter self exorcism . Kang Min-kyung . Star News . Naver . August 8, 2021 . August 17, 2021 . ko.
45. News: [공식] 박정민X임윤아 '기적', 9월 15일 개봉 확정 ]. [Official] Park Jung-min X Lim Yoon-a 'Miracle' to be released on September 15th . Kim Ji-won . Ten Asia . Naver . August 25, 2021 . August 25, 2021 . ko.
46. News: 변요한·김무열 '보이스', 추석 극장가 출격...9월15일 개봉 . Byun Yo-han and Kim Mu-yeol's 'Voice' to be released in theaters on Chuseok.... Kim Ji-eun . Newsis. Naver . August 30, 2021. August 30, 2021.
47. News: 'F20' 김강민 "'슬의생' 이후 첫 스크린 데뷔..축하 많이 받아" . 'F20' 김강민 "'슬의생' 이후 첫 스크린 데뷔..축하 많이 받아" . Kim Mi-hwa . Star News . Naver . September 30, 2021 . November 8, 2021. ko.
48. Web site: 유오성X장혁 '강릉', 11월 개봉 확정 . [Official] Yoo Oh-seong X Jang Hyuk's 'Gangneung' to be released in November . Ten Asia . Kim Ji-won . September 16, 2021 . November 20, 2021 . ko.
49. News: 오나라 "'장르만 로맨스' 2년 만에 개봉…저희 모습 좀 어려" 웃음 (컬투쇼) . Oh Nara "'Romance Only Genre' opens after 2 years... We look a little young" Laugh (Cultwo Show). Kim Yu-jin . Export News . Naver . November 15, 2021 . November 22, 2021 . ko.
50. News: 전종서X손석구 '연애 빠진 로맨스', 11월 24일 개봉 확정 [공식] ]. Jeon Jong-seo X Son Seok-gu 'Romance in Love' confirmed to be released on November 24 [Official] . Kang Min-kyung . Star News . Naver . November 3, 2021 . November 3, 2021 . ko.
51. News: [공식] 윤계상 주연 '유체이탈자', 11월 24일 개봉 확정 ]. [Official] Yoon Kye-sang's 'Fluid Fugitive' to be released on November 24th . Kim Ji-won . Ten Asia. October 27, 2021 . November 21, 2021 . ko.
52. Web site: https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0004523421. ko:몬스타엑스, K팝 넘어 스크린 접수 예고..영화 '몬스타엑스 : 더 드리밍' 오늘(8일) 개봉. MONSTA X Announces Screen Receipts Beyond K-Pop.. Movie 'Monsta X: The Dreaming' is released today (8th). OSEN. Naver. Lee. Seung-hoon. 2021-12-08. 2021-12-08. ko.
53. News: [공식] 한지민X이동욱 '해피 뉴 이어' 29일 티빙·극장 공개 확정 ]. [Official] Han Ji-min X Lee Dong-wook 'Happy New Year' confirmed for tea and theater release on the 29th . Kim Ji-won . Ten Asia. Naver. December 6, 2021. December 6, 2021. ko.