20 Best Korean Comedy Movies, Ranked
– Collider has published a ranked list of the 20 best South Korean comedy films, arguing the country's cinema is known for dark, violent thrillers but has also produced consistently strong comedies spanning satire, rom-com and heartfelt comedy-drama that translate well for international audiences. – Ranked at 20th is "The Dude in Me" (2019), a body-swap comedy about a gangster and a schoolboy who accidentally trade bodies, praised for its cast despite a rushed ending. – At 19th is "6/45" (2022), in which a South Korean soldier's winning lottery ticket blows across the border, sparking an unlikely friendship with a North Korean soldier who finds it. – At 18th is "Wonderful Nightmare" (2015), a fantasy rom-com in which a high-powered lawyer dies through a heavenly mistake and is sent back to life in another woman's body.
In short
- Collider ranks the 20 best South Korean comedy films.
- Lower entries include body-swap, lottery and reincarnation-themed comedies.
- List highlights how Korean humour translates well internationally.
Explained simply
South Korean cinema is internationally known for dark, violent thrillers, but the country has also produced excellent comedies spanning satire, rom-coms and comedy-dramas. These films often find audiences internationally but typically attract less attention than South Korea's celebrated thrillers.
South Korean films have become increasingly prominent in global entertainment in recent years, gaining availability through streaming platforms and festival recognition. The country's comedies remain relatively overlooked, however, with most international focus directed towards its dramatic and thriller films.
Entertainment publication Collider has ranked the 20 best South Korean comedies to highlight this underappreciated film tradition. The selection includes films with varied premises such as body-swap comedies and stories about unlikely cross-border friendships, demonstrating the breadth and creativity of South Korean comedy.