Which are the worst Korean films in 2023?
Korean media outlet Sports Kyunghyang revealed the results of the survey under the 7th Raspberry Film Festival, the Korean version of the Golden Raspberry Awards, or Razzies, in the US, which selects the worst films and actors.
Sports Kyunghyang held a survey among 55 film journalists in South Korea covering commercial films released from December 2022 to Nov. 30 this year.
Each voter cast three votes in each category: worst film, worst acting and worst manners covering actors, directors and film officials.
Here are the top 5 worst Korean movies of 2023:
First place - “Marrying the Mafia: Returns” (34 votes)
“Marrying the Mafia: Returns” (Korean Film Council, Daum)
“Marrying the Mafia: Returns,” released in September this year in South Korea, took first place as the worst Korean film of 2023 with 34 votes.
Sports Kyunghyang reported that the movie received a lot of criticism for its poor production quality and poor acting skills of its cast.
The movie stars Kim Soo-mi, Yura, Seo Hyo-rim, Yoon Hyun-min, Ki Eun-se, Kim Jong-min, Jeong Jun-ha, Yoshihiro Akiyama and Tak Jae-hun.
Some of the comments of the reporters who voted for it were “I hope that the lineage of this family will end after this movie,” “A film that should never have been released, and is insulting to the audience,” “Did you think that old-fashioned gangster material would still work?” and “The directing, acting, and plot are all a complete mess.”
Second place - Netflix’s “Believer 2” (19 votes)
"Believer 2" (Netflix)
In second place for the worst Korean film of 2023 is Netflx’s “Believer 2,” which stars stars Cho Jin-woong, Han Hyo-joo, Cha Seung-won, Oh Seung-hoon, Kim Dong-young, and Lee Joo-young.
According to Sports Kyunghyang, the movie received harsh reviews in terms of both completeness and fun.
Some of the comments for the film are” “A sequel made by an anti of the first film out of revenge” and “This is a complete insult to the first film.”
Third place - “Bear Man” and “Mount Chiak” (12 votes each)
"Bear Man" (Korean Film Council, Daum)
The films “Bear Man” and “Mount Chiak” came in third place for the worst Korean film of 2023 with 12 votes each.
“Bear Man,” the report stated, was Park Seong-kwang’s first commercial feature-length production but it got harsh criticism for its poor directing skills.
One of the reasons why “Bear Man” was selected as the worst film is “I support self-realization through a directorial debut, but investors must have shed tears of blood while watching.”
"Mount Chiak" (Korean Film Council, Daum)
For “Mount Chiak,” some of the comments are “It is embarrassing that it caused controversy with Wonju City and the ban on screening. “It’s a waste of my time watching it.” and “There’s no substance to the movie.”
Fifth place - “A Man of Reason” (11 votes)
"A Man of Reason" (Korean Film Council, Daum)
Actor Jung Woo-sung's first commercial feature film, “A Man of Reason,” placed fifth in the ranking for the worst films of 2023.
Reporters who voted for the film commented, “The production cost of 8 billion won should be reduced” and “I wish I had spent it on a better place.”
In addition, “The Moon,” starring Sol Kyung-gu, Doh Kyung-soo and Kim Hee-ae, ranked sixth with nine votes.
Some of the comments are “Was there no one around to stop this scenario?” and “Could it be that the highest authority didn’t listen?”
Tied for seventh place are “My Heart Puppy” and “Dream” with eight votes each.
"The Moon" (Korean Film Council, Daum)
"My Heart Puppy" (Korean Film Council, Daum)
“Dream” stars IU and Park Seo-jun. Some comments are "I can't believe this is what Lee Byung-hun, Park Seo-joon, and IU released" and "Park Seo-joon and IU's worst filmography ever.”
“My Heart Puppy” stars Yoo Yeon-seok and Cha Tae-hyun.
"Dream" (Korean Film Council, Daum)