5 Best Korean Poker Movies and Dramas

As Korean films and dramas grow in popularity all over the world, with the huge success of movies such as "The Host" and "Oldboy" and dramas such as "My Love from the Star" and "Squid Game", it's no surprise that Korean poker movies are also gaining a following. Excellent cinematography, talented actors, and global appeal make these genres highly entertaining.
In this article, we will understand the history of the Korean film industry as well as introduce the 5 best Korean poker movies that are sure to get your adrenaline pumping.

The History of Korean Cinema in a Nutshell

Advertisement

Early Korean cinema was marked by a strong interest in historical subjects. One of the first notable films was "The Story of Chun-hyang" (1935), which told the story of a traditional folk tale. The film was so popular that it spawned a number of sequels over the next few years.

In the postwar period, filmmakers began to focus on more contemporary themes. One of the most famous films from this era is "The Housemaid - 1960", which is a classic of Korean cinema. The film tells the story of a woman who becomes a maid for a wealthy family and eventually has an affair with her husband. The film was controversial at the time for its frank portrayal of sexuality, and it remains one of the most well-known Korean films today.

Here Are 5 Great Korean Poker Movies and Dramas to Watch

"Tazza: The Hidden Card" (2014)

This movie is about a young man named Go-ni who falls into the world of gambling after being swindled out of his life savings. He becomes a master gambler under the tutelage of an experienced conman, but things take a turn for the worse when Go-ni gets embroiled in a high-stakes gambling scheme.

Top Cast:

Shin Se-kyung, Shin Se-kyung, Kwak Do-won, Lee Hanee

"Time to Hunt" (2020)

This movie is about a group of friends who plan a heist in order to pay off their debts. They get involved in a high-stakes poker game with a dangerous underworld figure, and things quickly spiral out of control. After the heist goes wrong, the friends are forced to fight for their lives as they try to escape from their pursuers.

Top Cast:

Lee Je-hoon, Ahn Jae-hong, Choi Wooshik, Park Jung-min

"The Divine Move" (2014)

This movie is about a professional baduk (a Korean board game similar to Go) player who turns to gamble after losing a match. He becomes a master gambler, using the poker hands chart methodology, but things take a turn for the worse when he gets involved in a dangerous gambling scheme which after he needs to take control and make sure he survives.

Top Cast:

Jung Woo-sung, Lee Beom-soo, Ahn Sung-ki, Kim In-kwon

"Tazza: The High Rollers" (2006)

Go-ni (Cho Seung-woo) is a small-town guy with a big appetite for gambling. Go-ni is playing cards one evening and becomes convinced that he's on a winning streak. He bets his entire life savings on a hand of hwatu, only to be cheated by a crooked cardsharp. Determined to get revenge, Go-ni sets out to track down the guy who took his money. But things are not as they seem and Go-ni soon finds himself in over his head.

Top Cast:

Cho Seung-woo, Kim Hye-soo, Baek Yoon-sik, Yoo Hae-jin

"Big Bet" (2022)

This is not a movie but a Korean dramas about professional gamblers which is produced by Disney+. A man once called "the king of the casino" lost everything due to a series of unlucky breaks. But he didn't give up and came back, this time betting his entire life on the line.

Top Cast:

Choi Min-sik, Son Sukku, Lee Dong-hwi, Heo Sung-tae

Conclusion

Korean cinema has a rich history, and great movies and dramas are being produced even today, which makes it hard to choose from the many great Korean poker movies and dramas available. If you're looking for good action movies for cold winter nights, or just for inspiration while playing poker with friends, any of the above would be a great choice and you're sure to have a good time watching them.