The 40 most popular korean documentary movies, ranked. Click any film for ratings, reviews, trailers, and where to watch.


Squid Game: Making Season 2
2025 · 28m
country: South Korea
From set designs to character arcs, get exclusive cast and director interviews on how Season 2 of the globally most-watched series was brought to life.


Burn the Stage: The Movie
2018 · 1h 25m
country: South Korea
Burn the Stage: the Movie is the first movie from BTS, going behind-the-scenes of the BTS WINGS TOUR to reveal the full story of the band’s meteoric rise to fame. This unmissable film provides an intimate look at what happens when the most successful global boy band of all time breaks down barriers and invades the mainstream music scene. Exclusive tour footage and brand-new one-on-one interviews with BTS members give fans an unprecedented glimpse into their lives and an opportunity for everyone to celebrate together worldwide.


BTS: THE RETURN
2026 · 1h 33m
country: United States
They're back! BTS gathers in LA to record their album "Arirang" in this documentary offering unprecedented access to the band as they enter a new era.


Bring the Soul: The Movie
2019 · 1h 45m
country: South Korea
A glimpse into K-pop group BTS’ world away from the stage, featuring intimate group discussions alongside spectacular concert performances from their world tour.


21 Year Old Seung Ha's Secret Diary
2021 · 1h 32m
country: South Korea
A sexual film that revealed the activities of Seungha, who made her debut as an adult film actress after working as an idol singer.


Istintobrass
2013 · 1h 34m
country: Italy
One of the most controversial, original and loved figures of Italian cinema. The most censored director of all time. An anarchist of the film, a gifted experimenter, an inventor of dreams. A truly great artist.


Nam June Paik: Moon Is the Oldest TV
2023 · 1h 50m
country: South Korea
The quixotic journey of Nam June Paik, one of the most famous Asian artists of the 20th century, who revolutionized the use of technology as an artistic canvas and prophesied both the fascist tendencies and intercultural understanding that would arise from the interconnected metaverse of today's world.


BTS: Permission to Dance on Stage - LA
2022 · 2h 10m
country: South Korea
Purple colors the city of Los Angeles, as BTS brings their "Permission to Dance" concert to SoFi Stadium for the first time in two years. In a stadium radiating anticipation and cheer, splendid performances from "On" to "Permission to Dance" glorify the stage that now comes to life on screen. Be united once again by the power of music.


j-hope IN THE BOX
2023 · 1h 25m
country: South Korea
For 200 days, the daily life of artist j-hope is captured. From his production of solo album "Jack in the Box" and listening party, this documentary follows him all the way to his debut on the stage of "Lollapalooza."


BLACKPINK: Light Up the Sky
2020 · 1h 19m
country: United States
Record-shattering Korean girl band BLACKPINK tell their story — and detail the hard fought journey of the dreams and trials behind their meteoric rise.


Stray Kids: The dominATE Experience
2026 · 2h 26m
country: South Korea
Featuring the global K-Pop sensation Stray Kids and a live performance from their record-breaking world tour, alongside exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and intimate interviews with the band, Stray Kids: The dominATE Experience is an epic concert film that gives fans both a spectacular front-row seat and unique access to their favourite band.


SKZFLIX (ROCK-STAR)
2023 · 11m
country: South Korea
Eight aspiring students take on the quest of joining the school's annual Multiverse Short-Film Festival. In the process of doing so, Minho was casted as the lead role and built both expected and unexpected friendships along the way.


The Seoul Guardians
2026 · 1h 11m
country: South Korea
On December 3, 2024, in Seoul, the President of South Korea Yoon Sukyeol declares the martial law. Troops move toward the National Assembly to seize control. Meanwhile, citizens rush to the National Assembly to block the troops, while lawmakers break through police's barricades at the main gate, climb over the walls to attend the session that lifts the martial law.


AlphaGo
2017 · 1h 30m
country: United States
The ancient Chinese game of Go has long been considered a grand challenge for artificial intelligence. Yet in 2016, Google's DeepMind team announced that they would be taking on Lee Sedol, the world's most elite Go champion. AlphaGo chronicles the team as it prepares to test the limits of its rapidly-evolving AI technology. The film pits man against machine, and reveals as much about the workings of the human mind as it does the future of AI.
![SEVENTEEN CONCERT [IN-COMPLETE]](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/sc1s0k2dYioRGLOUgm68EjIHvNe.jpg)

SEVENTEEN CONCERT [IN-COMPLETE]
2021 · 3h
country: Unknown
Seventeen hold an online concert on January 23, 2021 as their first concert with all 13 members since 2019.


Yellow Door: '90s Lo-fi Film Club
2023 · 1h 24m
country: South Korea
This intimate documentary explores a bygone era of cinematic passion and the emergence of young film enthusiasts in South Korea, including Bong Joon Ho.
![IU CONCERT [THE WINNING] IN CINEMAS](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/5uTAmHW8Zj5HOUnaAQhC6nqj25i.jpg)

IU CONCERT [THE WINNING] IN CINEMAS
2025 · 2h 4m
country: South Korea
The Icon of Firsts: The glistening record of the 100th performance. Relive IU and UAENA's electrifying energy as they light up Seoul World Cup Stadium with unforgettable performances of masterpieces like "Love wins all", "Holssi", "Shopper", "Celebrity", "Last Fantasy". Witness the spectacular drone show that illuminated the Sangam night sky! The final chapter of The Winning journey comes to life on screen!


Becoming Who I Was
2017 · 1h 36m
country: South Korea
Angdu is no ordinary boy. Indeed, in a past life he was a venerated Buddhist master. His village already treats him like a saint as a result. The village doctor, who has taken the boy under his wing, prepares him to be able to pass on his wisdom. Alas, Tibet, Angdu’s former homeland and the centre of his faith, lies far away from his current home in the highlands of Northern India. On top of that, the conflict between China and Tibet makes the prospect of a trip there even more daunting. Undeterred by these harsh facts, the duo set off for their destination on foot, accompanied by questions of friendship and the nature of life. With its narrative approach steeped in a serene sense of concentration, this documentary film, composed over a period of eight years, stands as a fundamental experience in its own right.


PSY Summer Swag 2022
2023 · 1h 26m
country: South Korea
Filmed in the summer of 2022, this concert will let fans relive the rapper's SUMMER SWAG concert in South Korea where fans jumped, danced, and sang along to his well-known melodies and beats while being showered with water sprays.


Tony Rayns, the Not-So-Distant Observer
2012 · 56m
country: Unknown
Prominent film critic Tony Rayns has long been a supporter of Korean cinema. This film illustrates Rayns’ affection for Korean cinema through interviews of Korean cineastes that have a special affinity for him, including JANG Sun-woo, LEE Chang-dong and HONG Sang-soo among others.


Babylon Unveiled
2014
country: South Korea
No overview available


My Love, Don't Cross That River
2014 · 1h 26m
country: South Korea
There lives a couple known as "100-year-old lovebirds". They're like fairy tale characters: the husband is strong like a woodman, and the wife is full of charms like a princess. They dearly love each other, wear Korean traditional clothes together, and still fall asleep hand in hand. However, death, quietly and like a thief, sits between them. This film starts from that moment, and follows the last moments of 76 years of their marriage.


j-hope TOUR 'HOPE ON THE STAGE' THE MOVIE
2025 · 1h 30m
country: South Korea
Witness the full spectrum of j-hope's artistry, from the iconic tracks of his solo album "Jack In The Box" and special album "HOPE ON THE STREET VOL.1" to the world premiere of "Killin' It Girl". Experience his spectacular live performances on the big screen, complete with exclusive behind-the-scenes moments and special stages featuring Jin, Jung Kook, and Crush. Relive the unforgettable, sparkling moment between j-hope and ARMY - j-hope’s true "Safety Zone" - and experience the final stage of his first solo world tour in "HOPE ON THE STAGE: THE MOVIE".


Afterwater
2022 · 1h 33m
country: Germany
Jonasz studies insects and fishes, Signe leaves and herbs. After a day spent in gardens and libraries, they meet, take the train and leave the city, pitching their tent on the shores of a lake. As they read, eat fruit, wander the forest and swim in the cold water, the outside world feels further and further away. A stranger appears and a trio is formed. But there are also other trios, other lakes, different places, different times.


SUGA: Road to D-DAY
2023 · 1h 21m
country: South Korea
SUGA of the world-renowned group, BTS, works on a new album. He embarks on a journey to find his story to tell through music, while interacting with artists from various cities around the world.


Ditto
2022 · 10m
country: South Korea
A girl named Ban Hee-Soo who records the NewJeans members as they are dancing and playing around as friends usually do in her video recorder. As the music video goes on, we'll see that Ban Hee-Soo starts noticing a boy while she was recording NewJeans. She seems to have a little interest in him and so does he. There is a lot more to this.


TOMORROW X TOGETHER: OUR LOST SUMMER
2023 · 1h 22m
country: South Korea
TOMORROW X TOGETHER are back post-pandemic and are ready to embark on their first world tour from Seoul to North America. The band's nerves and excitement are kicking in, but they have challenged themselves to give the performance of a lifetime.


Big Bang Made - The Movie
2016 · 1h 54m
country: South Korea
In April 2015, Big Bang made a comeback after a three-year hiatus, and their Made World Tour ended with a great success drawing 1.5 million people. The movie follows Big Bang from the beginning till the end of their world tour in a documentary format to give up close and personal view of their 340 days journey in the tour as they perform in 32 cities in 13 countries. The movie will be a collection of the five singers off guard in their natural state having fun on-stage during the concerts, the behind-the-scenes videos of made concerts and albums, backstage and offstage. The film also included interviews with each member.


Temple Flavors The Simplicity of Healing
2019 · 1h 4m
country: Brazil
A fascinating trip to Buddhist temples in South Korea. Three nuns share ancient knowledge about the truths of the contemporary world and teach that the balance of eating habits is the key to our health body, mind and the preservation of the planet.


Fuego Sagrado
2023 · 2m
country: Belgium
From the music of South Korean composer Jung Jae-il, Guatemalan filmmaker Jayro Bustamante crafts a story of a native woman invoking the spirits of fertility in a Guatemalan forest with ritual fire. This short film is part of the 2x25 Project of Film Fest Gent and the World Soundtrack Awards. The project commissioned 25 composers to compose a short piece of music, after which 25 filmmakers made short films that are the ultimate symbioses of music and cinematography, fitting completely within the DNA of the festival. The result: 25 exceptional films where the music inspired the form, narrative and texture.


OMG
2023 · 6m
country: South Korea
Five girls are patients at a psychiatric hospital, experiencing and sharing their delusions to each other and their struggles with their identities


Myeoneuri: My Son's Crazy Wife
2018 · 1h 20m
country: South Korea
In our 3-year marriage, we have fought on every holiday, on parents' birthdays, during ancestral rituals, and even on Christmas. We argue all the time. The tension between my wife and my mother is killing me.


ONE IN A MILL10N
2025 · 2h 1m
country: South Korea
In 2015, with the greeting "One in a million, We are TWICE!", a new K-pop group stepped onto the world stage. From chart-topping anthems like "CHEER UP," "TT," "What is Love?," "FANCY," and "Feel Special," TWICE captured hearts far beyond Korea, becoming a global phenomenon. This documentary follows their decade-long journey—countless hours of dedication, the dazzling spotlight of worldwide tours, and candid reflections on their growth, friendship, and even their dreams for the future. For ten years, brighter than any stage light, 'ONCE' has been at the very heart of their story. Through never-before-seen interviews and the heartfelt process of preparing a 10th anniversary celebration, the film reveals what TWICE has truly meant to one another—and to the fans who have walked beside them. On their 10th anniversary, 〈ONE IN A MILL10N〉 comes to the screen, revealing the true reason behind the existence of TWICE—a group like no other.


#RUNSEOKJIN_EP.TOUR THE MOVIE
2025 · 1h 34m
country: South Korea
Spanning 10 cities and 20 performances, the most thrilling moments of Jin's first solo fan concert world tour are now ready to unfold on the big screen. With "challenge" as its theme, the show sees "Worldwide Handsome" Jin bring his signature energy to the stage, laughing, singing, and completing missions with ARMY across five energetic rounds. From his first solo album, "Happy," backed by a live band, to his second mini-album, "Echo," and a special medley of BTS songs, the concert unfolds as a panorama of diverse music and emotion, captivating both eyes and ears.


Astro - Stargazer: Astroscope
2022 · 1h 59m
country: South Korea
The 3rd ASTROAD to Seoul 'STARGAZER' is ASTRO’s first concert in over three years. Each member is filled with excitement and anticipation at the thought of reuniting with AROHA, but preparing for a live concert amidst busy schedules doesn’t prove easy. Like a dark night sky kissed by starlight, will ASTRO chase away the darkness and greet the welcoming wave of AROHA violet? Intimate interviews and an honest look behind-the-scenes are captured alongside ASTRO’S concert performance in


Love as Much as Pain
2019 · 1h 26m
country: South Korea
In a countryside of Philippines, where people die everyday without having a local clinic, a foreign doctor's office in wheels help people for thirty years. Nuga (Luke) Park cares for patients in the moment he is terminally ill. What we see in his dedication and support in his missionary is love. This is the story of his love that would heal.


BTS: Yet to Come in Cinemas
2023 · 1h 43m
country: South Korea
Join RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook in this special cinematic cut, re-edited and remixed for the big screen. Watch new close-up angles and a whole new view of the entire concert, BTS Yet To Come in Busan. Featuring hit songs from across the group's career, including "Dynamite," "Butter" and “IDOL," plus the first concert performance of "Run BTS" from the group’s latest album Proof.


I AM.: SMTOWN LIVE WORLD TOUR in Madison Square Garden
2012 · 2h 10m
country: South Korea
Starring 32 artists from SM Town. The movie reflect the past, present and future of each artist with behind-the-scenes footage that follows the stars as they undergo rehearsals, revealing their day-to-day lives and also features interview, video diaries and never-seen-before archive files.


Mr. Kim Goes to the Cinema
2026 · 1h 44m
country: South Korea
After the COVID-19 pandemic, Busan International Film Festival founder Kim Dong-ho, at eighty-five, picks up a camcorder for the first time and decides to make a documentary. His lens turns toward cinemas struggling through the crisis, as beloved theaters vanish amid dwindling audiences. Seeking to reconnect with old friends, "Mr. Kim" — now nearing ninety — travels the world to talk with filmmakers and cinephiles. Through these encounters, he reflects on cinema’s past and future, finding wisdom and resilience in a time of transformation. His journey becomes a meditation on change, memory, and the enduring spirit of film.


Discrimination
2023 · 1h 24m
country: South Korea
Since 2013, Japan has implemented the free high school policy. However, only 10 Chongryon Korean high schools are excluded from this policy. The reason is that there are suspicions that the grant for free education will be misused by Chochongryon and others. Five of these schools protested about this measure and filed a claim for damages against the government in 2013. After four years of hearings, the first trial decision was made on July 19, 2017, starting with the case of Hiroshima Chongryon Korean high school.
South Korean cinema spent the 2000s building a reputation for genre films that refuse to stay in their lane — thrillers that turn into family dramas, revenge stories with slapstick. Parasite's Best Picture win in 2020 confirmed what festival audiences had known for two decades.
Documentary covers everything from observational vérité to essay film and true crime. The form's best work argues rather than merely records, and the last two decades of streaming demand have made it a commercial genre as much as an artistic one.