10 Superb Stories From Highest Grossing South Korean Films In 2017

Hallyu’s A-list actors led 2017 South Korean box office.

South Korean films landed over 220 million ticket sales in 2017. The box office flicks were predominantly leaning on crime, drama and action stories. The record-breaking success of December 2017 movies contributed to the achievement of South Korean film industry.

We present you the South Korean films in 2017, which amassed impressive admission sales through the ingenious narratives pictured on the big screen.

Note: Admissions’ Data retrieved from Korean Film Council (KOFIC) website. (010218)

1. A Taxi Driver

Release Date: August 2, 2017
Admissions: 12,186,327
Cast: Song Kang Ho, Ryu Jun Yeol, Yoo Hae Jin

Based on the events of 1980 Gwangju uprising, the film narrates the story of a cab driver, who becomes an accidental hero alongside a journalist on a mission to uncover the government’s quelling over democracy fighters in the southwest region of Korean peninsula.

2. Along With The Gods: The Two Worlds

Release Date: Dec 20, 2017
Admissions: 8,535,937 and counting
Cast: Ha Jung Woo, Cha Tae Hyun, Joo Ji Hoon

Along With The Gods is based on a webtoon about a salary man who died, and is accompanied to the underworld by afterlife guardians. The film adaptation takes the story of a firefighter who passes away unexpectedly. He is escorted by three grim reapers, who defend him in 49 days on 7 trials that would determine if he is able to reincarnate.

3. A Confidential Assignment

Release Date: Jan 18, 2017
Admissions: 7,817,631
Cast: Hyun Bin, Yoo Hae Jin, Kim Joo Hyuk

An elite North Korean detective is given three days to put a collar on a rogue officer, who stole master plates that can be used to mass-produce fake dollar notes. He teams up with a South Korean detective to pin down the runaway officer.

4. The Outlaws

Release Date: Oct 03, 2017
Admissions: 6,879,844
Cast: Ma Dong Seok, Yoon Kye Sang, Jo Jae Yun

A fearless police detective is summoned to end a neighborhood territory war between Korean and Chinese gangs.

5. The Battleship Island

Release Date: Jul 26, 2017
Admissions: 6,592,151
Cast: Hwang Jung Min, So Ji Sub, Song Joong Ki

Derived from World War II chronicles, The Battleship Island explores the harsh condition of Koreans who were compelled to serve the Japanese Regime as slaves based on the history. It also narrates the fiery prison break they attempted from the underground coal mine located in a detached island of Hashima.

6. Midnight Runners

Release Date: Aug 9, 2017
Admissions: 5,653,270
Cast: Park Seo Joon, Kang Ha Neul, Sung Dong Il

Two aspiring police officers launch a dilettante police investigation after witnessing and trailing a kidnapping scheme. The combination of reckless (Park Seo Joon) and nerdy (Kang Ha Neul) police university students provides zest and humor for this comedy-crime flick.

7. The King

Release Date: Jan 18, 2017
Admissions: 5,317,383
Cast: Jo In Sung, Jung Woo Sung, Kim Ah Joong

On a goal to yield power, a man works hard to become a prosecutor. He joins an elite group of rich and powerful prosecutors, but he is soon confronted its cruel reality.

8. The Swindlers

Release Date: Nov 22, 2017
Admissions: 4,017,979
Cast: Hyun Bin, Yoo Ji Tae, Park Sung Woong

A con artist (Hyun Bin) orchestrates a grand plan to avenge the death of his father, who got involved in a political power play.

9. Steel Rain

Release Date: Dec 14, 2017
Admissions: 4,013,136 and counting
Cast: Jung Woo Sung, Kwak Do Won, Kim Gap Soo

A joint mission for a North Korean intelligence officer and South Korean secret services agent is set to avert a nuclear war outbreak in the Korean peninsula.

10. The Fortress

Release Date: Oct 03, 2017
Admissions: 3,849,087
Cast: Lee Byung Hun, Kim Yun Seok, Go Soo

King Injo and his loyal retainers hide in a fortress while leaders of political factions are in dispute on whether to fight Qing dynasty or not.

It was indeed a great year for South Korean film industry in 2017. We look forward and wish for an auspicious New Year in 2018!