Korean cinema enters the new year fully charged, having delivered an eventful 2024, and here we see no signs of this industry slowing down. Last year offered the audience a number of films that were inspiring and stimulating the emotions of the viewers, both dramatic and action cinema proved the international success of Korean cinematography. Now, in January 2025, similar trends are to continue, so let’s check on some of the highly awaited Korean movies releasing in January 2025 that are set to captivate audiences and take complete control.
The movies premiering this month also cut across the thriller, action comedy, and romance genres. Whether it is suspense-filled crime Movies or feel-good tales with a humorous, comical or dramatic twist the new year Korean Movies January 2025 has it all. Below, viewers get a more detailed look at theatres’ five top-selected movies.
Highly Awaited Korean Movies Releasing in January 2025
Forbidden Fairytale (January 8, 2025)
To start the month in a rather hot note, Forbidden Fairytale aims to provide a mix of comedy and social critique. The film, directed by Lee Jong-seok features Park Ji-hyun the lead female character, Danbi, an digital youth protection officer by day and then a literature children’s book illustrator and writer by night. The plot twist arises when she wrecks a CEO who owns an adult web novel publishing firm’s car.
To repay Danbi settled down for the type of writing she never considered, adult fiction. Her unique approach of presenting stories makes her an overnight celebrity while at the same time creating unbelievable comicalities in her own everyday trophies and workplaces. Other stars that are out in this picture include Choi Si-won and Sung Dong-il. Forbidden Fairytale is a smart and tender comeback of morality and individual desire, wrapped up in a comedic existence of a fairy tale.
Crypto Man (January 15, 2025)
As one of Song Jae-rim’s final performances, Crypto Man is not just a tribute to his talent but also a gripping exploration of one of the most shocking financial events of recent times. This movie will tells a story inspired by a real event when in 2022 everyone’s favourite cryptocurrency plummeted. This crime drama is directed by Hyun Hae Ri and stars the talented, late Song Jae-rim as Yang Do-hyun, a young businessman who risks everything on the cryptocurrency business.
With Ahn Woo-yeon and Min Sung-wook joining the cast, they create an impression of the rise and fall of an empire that led to billions disappearing one day. Full of tension and relevance to the present day, Crypto Man helps to understand the trust, competition, and fear behind cryptocurrency.
Hitman 2 (January 22, 2025)
Those who love action and comedy this is for you! The much-anticipated sequel to Hitman: Agent Jun is here. Hitman 2 is a thriller sequel to this series which was directed by Choi Won-sub, Jun, a former secret agent who turned into a webtoon artist. During one of his webtoons, he stumbles on a global audience, antagonists who assume the stories are a reality when his webtoon fails miserably.
Next is an action filled comedy with laughter, thrills and more excitement and displaying some of Kwon Sang-woo, Jung Joon-ho and Lee Yi-kyung. Lee Soon-won and Kim Sung-oh who joined the show fairly recently invigorate it and this rather absurd story. It is on the set of one of the most popular Korean comedies that the creators confidently switched to action in Hitman 2.
Dark Nuns (January 24, 2025)
The supernatural thrillers genre gets a darker shade of horror in Dark Nuns. Directed by Kwon Hyuk-jae this is a spin-off to the 2015 film The Priests and features Song Hye-kyo and Jeon Yeo-Been as nuns who fight an evil spirit possessing a boy.
With this, they go on the spine-chilling adventure as the nuns explore the dark truth about the convent and about their own selves feel fear. Taking into consideration the beautiful darkness of the cast, the chilling atmosphere and the story itself, Dark Nuns will become one of the most notable films of the month. The powerful aura given off by Song Hye-kyo and a rather dark plot means fans of a supernatural thriller should be in for a treat.
Secret: Untold Melody (January 28, 2025)
Closing out the month is the romantic fantasy Secret: Untold Melody a movie which is actually based on the secret Taiwanese movie. Together with Yoo Joon played by EXO’s D.O. and Jung Ah by won Jin-ah this movie comes with the great feel of love and music.
Yoo Joon has a talent in playing piano, however; he sustained an injury and his music career came to an end, he reacquainted with Jung Ah in one of the university’s practice rooms. The nature of their relationship makes Jung Ah complex when the two characters develop feelings for each other, a shadow from Jung Ah’s past risks to destroy their newfound romance. Being a romantic movie lover, this film has great musical numbers and can really touch on the heartstrings. The chemistry between D.O. and Won Jin-ah, coupled with a timeless story, makes Secret: Untold Melody a perfect way to end January elaborates
Since such an amazing lineup, it is rather easy to state that the flow of Korean cinema from 2024 is invulnerable in 2025. These highly awaited Korean movies releasing in January 2025 showcase the industry’s versatility, from gripping real-life dramas like Crypto Man to the heartwarming romance of Secret: Untold Melody.
Here are those flicks that you should not miss as you prepare for your movie marathons this month. By presenting powerful stories, brilliant actors, and impressive shoots, January 2025 draws a plan of the month that will affect Korean movies’ lovers around the world.
Also Read: 6 Best Korean Movies of 2024 that Delivered Unforgettable Cinematic Moments: Exhuma, Escape and More
