10 Exciting Korean Action Movies on Netflix in September 2024!

Beyond the world of romantic K-dramas, South Korea is also known for its thrilling action films. With the upcoming Officer Black Belt, why don’t we talk about the Korean action movies on Netflix that you can watch this September?

Before We Start, A Little Intro to Korean Action Movies

Have a seat, children, and I’ll tell you a quick story.

It all started in 1999.

It was February 13th, 1999, when Director Kang Je-gyu released Shiri. Shiri was the first Hollywood-style blockbuster action film to come out of Korea, and it quickly became a fever, beating box-office records and being named a national (and international) favourite. Led by Han Suk-kyu, Choi Min-sik, and Song Kang-ho, Shiri (or Swiri) not only had a thrilling plot and intense action scenes but also had at its heart a very Korean melodrama — this is a film about the relationship between North and South Korea, and it clearly highlights the ambivalence that permeates this very fragile connection.

Shiri was the first step into the Korean Film Renaissance and laid the groundwork for renowned, history-making titles such as Park Chan-wook’s Oldboy (2003), Yeon Sang-ho’s Train to Busan (2016), and even the Oscar-winning Parasite (dir. Bong Joon-ho, 2019).

Since then, Korean action films have been known for their top-notch cinematography, in which action sequences are not only visually compelling but also narratively meaningful. Even beyond that, their scripts feature character-driven plots, complex morality, and both emotional and cultural depth. That means that action movies are never just action: Korea excels at releasing films that combine different genres. From horror to romance, comedy to historical drama, you’re sure to find an action flick that suits your taste.

So, shall we take a look at the Korean action movies on Netflix?

Disclaimer: Some of the following titles are very violent and might trigger viewers.

This September, You Can Find On Netflix…

A violent action-thriller, The Man From Nowhere features outstanding action sequences, an exhilarating, well-developed plot, and purposeful cinematography. Won Bin’s performance is simply flawless, portraying a man who is stoic and vulnerable at the same time, while Kim Sae-ron responds to him with equal emotional resonance. Disturbing, heartwrenching, and thoroughly compelling, The Man From Nowhere won several awards, including Best Film at the 47th Baeksang Arts Awards and influenced other popular action movies, including the John Wick franchise.

This is the story of Cha Tae-sik (Won Bin), a reclusive pawnshop owner whose only friend is So-mi (Kim Sae-ron), a little girl who lives next door. Her mother is an opium addict who tries to steal drugs from a dangerous crime organisation. Leaders of not only a drug but also an organ-trafficking ring, they kidnap So-mi and her mother as punishment. And so, Tae-sik embarks on a mission to save her. His next steps will force him to face his own ghosts and violent past.

You can also watch The Man from Nowhere on:

Steel Rain is clearly a descendant of Shiri: a solid political action-thriller that deals with the North-South Korea relationship. Even though the plot isn’t perfect and counts on a few strange conveniences, Steel Rain succeeds in creating a tense, action-packed feature that balances political intrigue, slight humour thanks to the fantastic chemistry between Jung Woo-sung and Kwak Do-won, and a humane, optimistic perspective on an ever-present conflict. An enjoyable mix of drama, action, and thriller.

In Steel Rain, a military coup takes down the current regime in North Korea. Eom Chul-woo (Jung Woo-sung), a North Korean intelligence officer, manages to escape to South Korea with his injured Supreme Leader. There, he meets a South Korean government official, Kwak Chul-woo (Kwak Do-won), with whom he needs to carry out a secret operation to prevent war on the Korean Peninsula.

Watch Steel Rain here:

Maybe My Sweet Mobster made a Uhm Tae-goo fan out of you or ignited a curiosity about his filmography. So… shall we start with this Netflix release?

Spectacular cinematography and camera work alone make Night In Paradise a must-watch. Add to that well-choreographed and delivered action scenes, excellent characterisation, and nuanced performances, and you’ve got a brutal, atmospheric neo-noir action film that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It runs a bit too long, and the plot might seem familiar to fans of the genre, but there’s still something cathartic about how this film unravels.

Uhm Tae-goo plays Tae-goo, a skilled gangster who flees to Jeju Island after his family faces an awful tragedy. There, he meets Jae-yeon (Jeon Yeo-been), a woman with her own ties to the criminal underworld. Slowly, they form a bond that is threatened by the return of Tae-goo’s past as he’s dragged back to the violent world he’s trying to escape.

Watch Night in Paradise here:

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A nostalgic, fun, comical ride to the 80s, Seoul Vibe delivers a mix of Fast and Furious and Ocean’s Eleven in a highly stylised package. This is a film that struggles with uneven pacing and a running time that is longer than it should be. However, an impeccable ensemble cast (I mean, Yoo Ah-in and Go Kyung-pyo reunion!) and vibrant visuals convey the rebellious, buoyant spirit of that decade. If you like cars, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it too!

It’s 1988, and Seoul is bustling with the Olympics. That’s when the drivers of the Sanggye Supreme Team stumble upon a huge slush fund scheme that might put a stop to the event.

Watch Seoul Vibe here:

Yaksha: Ruthless Operations is an amusing spy action film whose main strength is the charisma of its excellent cast, from Sul Kyung-gu (The Whirlwind, anyone?) to Park Jin-young as one of the supporting characters. While the script is a tad predictable and convoluted at times, Yaksha: Ruthless Operations entertains with some solid action, high cast chemistry, and a good dose of humour and excitement.

Sul Kyung-gu is Kang-in or “Yaksha”, the head of an overseas black ops team. While stationed in China, Kang-in and his team have to carry out a secret NIS operation, and in order to do so successfully, they have to rely on methods outside the law. Back in Seoul, Ji-hoon (Park Hae-soo) is a methodical and moral prosecutor. He’s sent to China to investigate Kang-in’s team. There, he’s pulled into an international web of spies and hidden agendas, and he has to decide whether to stand alongside or against the Yaksha.

Watch Yaksha: Ruthless Operations here:

Beyond a violent revenge action film, Ballerina is a drama about loss, friendship, and justice. Jeon Jong-seo carries the film on her shoulders, hypnotising the audience with her incredibly strong screen presence. The cinematography, stylised and effective, is stunning, highlighting rewarding and intense action sequences that are perfectly timed and delivered. Even though the plot may not be unique and the script has its fair share of flaws, Ballerina is a thrilling and satisfying ride.

In Ballerina, Ok-ju (Jeon Jong-seo) is a former bodyguard whose best friend, Min-hee (Park Yoo-rim), dies under mysterious circumstances. Her last wish was to take revenge, and Ok-ju is willing to do whatever it takes to fulfil it. Even though she might lose herself in the process, Ok-ju is determined to hunt down the people behind Min-hee’s tragic demise.

Watch Ballerina here:

Exploring moral dilemmas and focusing on the relationship between mother and daughter make Kill Boksoon anything but an ordinary action movie. The film is indeed too long, and the pacing could’ve been a bit sharper, but Kill Boksoon benefits from a multi-layered script, marvellous performances, superb camera work, and sleek choreography. Jeon Do-yeon portrays the many facets of Bok-soon with finesse, giving the film an unparalleled charm.

Bok-soon (Jeon Do-yeon) is a single mother struggling to raise a teenage daughter. She’s also a renowned assassin who has worked under Cha Min-kyu (Sul Kyung-gu) at M.K. Ent for many years. As her contract is up for renewal, Bok-soon starts rethinking her career and future alongside her daughter. She then gets involved in a tricky mission that might ruin both her professional and personal lives.

Watch Kill Boksoon here:

Let’s add a post-apocalyptic action film to the list, shall we? Badland Hunters is part of the Concrete Utopia universe, both being adaptations of Kim Soong-nyoong’s webtoon Happy Boy. The plot is ridiculously simple, but if you’re up for a brutal, gory, and crazy ride, this might be it. The main takeaway? The great Ma Dong-seok can show not only his endless magnetism but also his incredible skills in any sort of scenario.

In a near-future dystopia, Seoul is an apocalyptic wasteland. Nam-san (Ma Dong-seok) is a wasteland hunter who fights gangs and warlords to get the resources he needs to sustain his village. When one of the villagers is kidnapped by a rogue scientist, Nam-sam and his friends uncover a dangerous conspiracy.

Watch Badland Hunters here:

A goofy action-comedy that subverts gender roles, Mission: Cross offers unabashed entertainment. It promised to be a popcorn flick, and that’s what it delivers. An easy watch through and through, the script is straightforward and a bit silly, but delivered with artistry by a capable, strong cast.

Mission: Cross tells the story of Kang-moo (Hwang Jung-min), a househusband who used to be a special forces officer. His wife, Mi-sun (Yeom Jung-ah), is a violent crime detective, and he tries his best to hide his past from her. When Hee-joo (Jeon Hye-jin) shows up in their lives, apparently with business to solve with Kang-moo, Mi-sun suspects that her husband is having an affair. This cat-and-mouse chase might reveal to Mi-sun a side of Kang-moo that she never knew he had.

Watch Mission: Cross here:

Officer Black Belt will be released next Friday, September 13th, so I can’t offer you much of a review. However, I can share the buzz around this brand-new Korean action movie on Netflix.

This is the story of Lee Jung-do (Kim Woo-bin), a highly-skilled martial artist who delivers food for his father’s restaurant. An ordinary, kind fellow, Jung-do is keen to help people in need. After he saves a martial arts officer and decides to fill in for him while he recovers, he is brought together with probation officer Kim Sun-min (Kim Sung-kyun). Sun-min manages violent offenders so they start working together to fight crime.

We’re all looking forward to Kim Woo-bin’s return to the Korean action realm, and his chemistry with Kim Sung-kyun looks fantastic in the trailer. With what seems to be a witty and compelling plot, great cinematography, and some exciting action sequences, our hopes for Officer Black Belt are high.

Watch Officer Black Belt here:

So what are your favourite Korean action movies on Netflix? What films can you stream in your country? Share in the comments your opinion and your own lists!