Korean movies are not only entertaining but also helpful for learning the language, especially when they have lots of talking.
You can find many of them on the internet, even without a Netflix or Amazon Prime account or buying DVDs.
Today, we’ll explore some excellent options where you can watch hundreds of Korean movies legally and for free.
What are the best sites to watch Korean movies?
Korean Classic Film
This is the official YouTube channel of the Korean Film Archive. There are almost 200 films here, mostly from the second half of the 20th century. Check out the “Videos” section to watch them.
One of the films available is “The Widow” from 1955, directed by Park Nam-ok, Korea’s first female director. It’s a Korean Classic Film.
The movie is about a widow who decides to remarry. Since it’s an older film, some sound and the original ending are missing, but it’s still worth watching.
If you’re interested in the suspense/horror film I mentioned earlier, Park Chul-soo’s “301, 302” from 1995 is available here.
But, I want to warn you about some tough topics in the movie, like abuse and eating disorders. It might not be suitable for everyone, so be cautious. However, there are plenty of other films on the Korean Classic Film channel that you might enjoy.
Note: Be careful with the descriptions on this channel, as they might give away the plot. The movies here usually have English subtitles, and you can turn them on or off with the “CC” button.
Viki
Viki is known more for dramas than movies. But, if you’re searching for free Korean movies, it’s worth checking out.
It’s a subscription site with both premium and free options. The free movies on Viki usually have English subtitles, and you can turn them on or off. They also offer subtitles in other languages. Expect ads, like on most similar sites.
At Viki, you’ll mostly find romance and suspense movies similar to Korean drama series.
“The Table” is divided into four scenes, all set in a café. Each scene has a dialogue between two people, providing excellent listening practice.
The conversations are awkward and cringe-worthy, making it like eavesdropping while sipping espresso. Users on Viki love to hate some of the characters, adding to the drama!
FilmDoo
FilmDoo lets you rent movies online, and it has some free short films. In the Korean section, scroll down and click “Watch for Free” to see them all.
The short documentary “Bikini Words” explores a unique language used by South Korean factory workers during the demanding years of the 1970s and 80s.
Presented in a lighthearted manner with former workers in costumes, the film sheds light on the challenging work environment of that era.
Movies on FilmDoo usually have subtitles that can be in English or another language.
Tubi
If you search “Korea” or “Korean” on Tubi, you’ll find Korean films, as well as documentaries about Korea and English-language movies with Korean actors.
Tubi tracks your browsing, so if you check out Korean films and then go to “Foreign Language Films,” you might find what you’re looking for.
While there are advertisem*nts on Tubi, they’re not as frequent as on other sites. Movies on Tubi usually come with English subtitles that you can’t turn off.
One interesting choice is “The Actresses,” a mockumentary-style film featuring six real Korean actresses during a fashion shoot. Unlike Viki’s selection, it’s surprisingly low on drama.
The film features unscripted conversations between the actresses, showcasing natural Korean speech patterns for language learners. Despite the underlying competition, the focus is on their casual interactions, offering a glimpse into the talents of Korean actors.
Please note: Unlike the other sites listed, Tubi is mainly available in the U.S. and Canada. Tubi generally focuses on viewers in the U.S. and Canada, unlike other platforms mentioned.
AsianCrush
This could be your main place for watching Korean films online. Some movies need a premium subscription, but many are available right away on the site.
Just choose your region and genre, then click to see if the movie is there. If it is, you can watch it, but there might be ads.
AsianCrush has a lot of Korean films, like rom-coms, thrillers, and documentaries.
If you like horror or strange movies, you might like Midnight Pulp, too. It’s similar to AsianCrush, but some movies are on one and not the other.
You might be here just for Park Chan-wook’s films. Some of them you can watch for free, but not all. You can watch “Joint Security Area” on AsianCrush, even if it doesn’t come up when you search for Park’s name.
AsianCrush movies have English subtitles. Sometimes they’re on the film itself, so you can’t turn them off with the “CC” button.
Dingo K-Drama
While this YouTube channel might have a lighter tone compared to others, variety is key for language learners. After all, even serious cinephiles need a break sometimes.
While the videos on Dingo K-Drama aren’t award-winning, they offer skits, short movies, and other free content useful for learning and staying updated on Korean pop culture.
These videos can help you grasp references in movies and recognize popular entertainers. All videos have English subtitles.
A popular category is short films with “what if” scenarios, like “What if the president of South Korea helped you fold laundry?”
You can enjoy a quick and fun story in just a few minutes with these short films. They often teach useful language for everyday situations.
Hulu
Compared to Netflix, Hulu has fewer foreign-language options, but there are still Korean movies available.
Hulu is a popular and accessible streaming option, so it’s worth checking out, especially if you already have an account.
Netflix
Netflix is well-known to everyone. It’s where you go when you’re bored or want to pass the time. Now, you can also use Netflix to improve your Korean skills by watching Korean movies.
Browse “Korean movies” to discover everything from zombie thrillers to heartwarming romances. Specific categories like “Romantic Korean Movies” can help you narrow down your search.
All Korean movies on Netflix have English subtitles. Some also have Korean subtitles for reading along with the dialogue.
To change subtitles on a computer, start the movie and hover over the speech bubble in the lower right corner. On streaming devices like Roku, find “Audio and subtitles” in the program’s info screen.
Once you watch one Korean movie, Netflix will recommend more. You might sit down for one and end up watching for 12 hours, but your Korean skills will improve.
OnDemandKorea
OnDemandKorea is a streaming service focused solely on Korean content, including movies.
With a premium membership, you can watch many films, but there are also free options. You can easily see if a movie is free by checking for the “ODK PLUS” logo on the image.
Free movies include the romantic comedy “Because I Love You” and the courtroom/crime thriller-comedy “The Advocate: A Missing Body.”
If you have subtitle preferences, check the “All Subtitles” bar at the top of the screen. You can filter movies by your preferences using the drop-down menu.
Conclusion
To find free Korean movies online, you can’t just rely on Netflix recommendations. You’ll need to find your own ways to choose what to watch.
Exploring different periods of Korean cinema is one method. Another is to explore indie films and less popular formats like documentaries and shorts.
Follow Korean film festivals and look for Korean films at festivals worldwide. You can also read Korean film news on 씨네21 (Cine21) for practice.
Get to know directors, actors, and their past and present movies. This will help you develop preferences and find interesting free Korean films.
