For those interested in a few slices of Korean history, here's a list of the most riveting Korean dramas, thrillers, and war epics set against the backdrop of actual events. (Compiled by Sajin Shrijith)
Inspired by the Hwaseong serial murders of the 1980s, the film introduced the genius of Korean cinema (and director Bong Joon-ho) to many who, after being impressed by their storytelling prowess, began seeking other Korean-language material.
Director Lee Min-hoo's exceptionally directed thriller, starring Lee Byung-hun ('I Saw the Devil', 'Squid Game'), is based on the assassination of the dictatorial South Korean President Park Chung-hee by intelligence director Kim Jae-gyu in 1979.
The film depicted the aftermath of President Park's assassination — the 1979 military coup known as Coup d'état of December Twelfth or the 12·12 Military Insurrection — where another dictatorial military figure, Chun Doo-hwan, rose to power.
Starring 'Squid Game' lead actor Lee Jung-jae, a highly cinematic action-heavy spy thriller that involves three historical events, one of which is the 1983 assassination attempt against Chun Doo-hwan, on whom '12:12: The Day' was based.
The Gwangju Uprising is the backdrop in this partly fictionalised account of the indirect involvement of Kim Sa-bok, a real taxi driver, in the movement, given his interactions with German reporter Jürgen Hinzpeter, who had covered the event.
The directorial debut of Na Hong-jin ('The Wailing') was based on the exploits of real-life serial killer Young-cheol Yoo. It marked the first collaboration with actors Ha Jung-woo Kim Yoon-seok, with whom he reunited later on 'The Yellow Sea'.
Starring Gong Yoo ('Train to Busan'), the film and source novel 'The Crucible' drew from the disturbing account of physical and sexual abuse that occurred at the Gwangju Inhwa School for the hearing-impaired in South Korea.
Named after Yi Sun-sin, one of Korea's greatest naval commanders, the trilogy depicts three stunning historical battles in which he was involved. Directed by Kim Han-min, the three films are: 'The Admiral', 'Hansan', and 'Noryang'.