Korean cinema has long drawn inspiration from stories beyond its borders, breathing new life into foreign novels through powerful film adaptations. From Asian mysteries to Western dramas, South Korean filmmakers have reshaped these narratives into moving, culturally resonant films. These adaptations reflect a rich cultural exchange, blending international storytelling with the emotional depth of Korean cinema.
For readers, watching familiar stories unfold on the screen is a thrilling experience. Here are some of the notable South Korean movies adapted from foreign novels.
Helpless
Adapted from the crime novel ‘All She Was Worth’ by Japanese writer Miyabe Miyuki, ‘Helpless’ is a psychological thriller that explores identity theft and societal pressure through a suspenseful, slow-burning mystery. When a woman disappears just before her wedding, her fiancé uncovers a trail of secrets that leads to a chilling discovery.
White Night
Based on Keigo Higashino’s Japanese novel ‘Byakuyakō’ (Journey Under the Midnight Sun), ‘White Night’ is a psychological thriller that delves into the long-buried secrets shared between two people bound by a dark past. The film captures the chilling atmosphere and emotional complexity of the novel, offering a beautifully shot mystery that lingers long after the credits roll.
Perfect Number
‘Perfect Number’ is based on Keigo Higashino’s most acclaimed work, ‘The Devotion of Suspect X,’ the first from his ‘Detective Galileo’ series. It revolves around a genius math teacher who gets entangled in a murder cover-up to protect his neighbor. While the novel is famous for its intellectual duel between detective and suspect, the movie leans into the emotional core.
Broken
Keigo Higashino’s another popular work, ‘The Hovering Blade,’ is adapted into a Korean film titled ‘Broken’ in 2014. When a grieving father takes the law into his own hands after his daughter’s murder, ‘Broken’ becomes a harrowing study of justice, guilt, and revenge. The film retains the novel’s moral ambiguity, asking viewers to grapple with the boundaries between right and wrong.
The Handmaiden
Adapted from ‘Fingersmith' by Welsh novelist Sarah Waters, the Korean seductive thriller film ‘Handmaiden’ transports the Victorian-era British novel to 1930s Japanese-occupied Korea, giving an unforgettable cinematic experience. The psychological power play between a con artist, an heiress, and a twisted patriarch is masterfully reinvented, blending eroticism, betrayal, and liberation.
Perfect Proposal
Adapted from ‘La Femme de Paille’ by French novelist Catherine Arley, the stylish romantic thriller 'Perfect Proposal' revolves around Ji-yeon, caught in a dangerous scheme involving a wealthy chairman, Kim Seok-goo, and an ambitious young man, Sung-yeol. With its glamorous settings and noir-like tone, the film gives Arley’s novel a sleek Korean makeover, combining themes of greed, seduction, and manipulation.
Phantom
This South Korean period spy action thriller film is based on Chinese novelist Mai Jia’s 2007 novel, ‘Feng Sheng.’ Set during the Japanese occupation of Korea, ‘Phantom’ blends action, suspense, and political tension, focusing on a group of suspects trapped in a remote hotel as they’re interrogated to uncover a spy. It's a compelling mix of historical drama and psychological warfare.
These adaptations demonstrate how Korean filmmakers skilfully reinterpret foreign literary works, preserving the original’s essence while embedding them in Korean culture and context.
SEE ALSO: Late model Kim Jong Suk’s sister pleads “Please stop speculating about his private life”
SHARE
