Introducing LGBT Korean Dramas And Movies
Society in South Korea is gradually becoming more progressive, but the concept of sex is still a conservative topic. On the other hand, there have been many Korean LGBT movies and dramas that have gained popularity in the last few years.
We compiled a list of Korean LGBT romance movies. Anyone that's interested should take a look and watch!
NIGHT FLIGHT
야간비행
Year: 2014
Actors: Lee Jae-Joon, Kwak Si-Yang
The film is a coming of age story that deals with bullying, coming to terms with being gay, and friendship. It contains many narratives of two high school students with very different lives and struggles.
BLACK SUMMER
검은 여름
Year: 2019
Actors: Woo Ji-Hyeon, Lee Gun-Woo, Jo Sun-gi
It's a story of love between two male protagonists. Black Summer feels like an old fashioned movie in terms of the color tone and rough composition.
The film shows how cruel society has been towards the gay community in Korea for the past decades.
WHERE YOUR EYES LINGER
너의 시선이 머무는 곳에
Year: 2020
Actors: Han Gi-Chan, Jang Eui-Soo
Where Your Eyes Linger was the most popular LGBT series last year. This web series is the first LGBT drama in Korea that actually received a lot of attention.
It's a sweet high-school love story. It is reminiscent of a pure love story, which is rare for a Korean series to portray.
HYUNG YOUNG-DANG'S DIARY
형영당일기
Year: 2014
Actors: Lim Ju-Hwan, Lee Won-Geun
This short drama aired on MBC in 2014 and is considered to be the pioneer of LGBT dramas. Set in the Joseon era, we follow two brothers who are not related by blood. They fall in love but could never dare to admit it...until one of the brothers got married.
By chance, the wife learns of her husband's love for his younger brother. So, she seduces the younger brother, and two siblings get hurt. Because of the brother's shame, he becomes suicidal and consumes poison.
NO REGRET
후회하지 않아
Year: 2006
Actors: Kim Nam-Gil, Lee Yeong-Hoon
No Regret follows an orphan, Su-Min, who moves to Seoul for work, hoping to earn enough money for tuition. However, he meets the heir to a large company, Jae-Min. And, the two fall in love. Caught by Jae-Min's mother, she orders him to run off and get married to a woman.
Enraged Su-Min, kidnaps his lover with his co-worker. The plot is full of twists.
THE KING AND THE CLOWN
왕의 남자
Year: 2005
Actors: Lee Joon-Gi, Jung Jin-Young, Kang Seung-Yeon, Kam Woo-Seong
This film is considered one of the most classic LGBT films in Korean history.
It's a story between two men in a theater troupe. They end up getting arrested for treason and abused severely. After pleading to one of the king's consultants, they receive a chance to live. Make the king laugh or to be executed.
A FROZEN FLOWER
쌍화점
Year: 2008
Actors: Song Ji-Hyo, Jo In-Sung, Joo Jin-Mo
A Frozen Flower was considered a controversial film in Korea. It follows a king who was in love with one of his men, his closest commander.
However, the king was married to the Yuan Dynasty princess and needed an heir. The origins of the story and the song that shares the same name is beautiful yet incredibly tragic.
COLOR RUSH
컬러 러쉬
Year: 2020/21
Actors: Yoo Jun, Hur Hyun-Jun
Korea's latest LGBT web drama, Color Rush, was recently aired and gained a lot of traction.
The protagonist, Yeon Woo, suffers from color blindness. He is only able to see variances of the color gray. However, one day he meets Yoo Han, who brought colors to his eyes. It is an incredibly compelling romance.
TWO WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL
두 번의 결혼식과 한 번의 장례식
Year: 2012
Actors: Kim Dong-Yoon, Ryu Hyun-Kyung, Jeong Ae-Yeon
Two Weddings and a Funeral follows two LGBT couples and their chaotic life that comes with the struggles of being LGBT in a conservative country.
This drama helped open up the discussion to the audience about same-sex marriages and being in the closet. It's a story about how these two couples concoct a fake marriage for their happiness.
IN BETWEEN SEASONS
환절기
Year: 2018
Actors: Bae Jong-Ok, Lee Won-Keun, Ji Yoon-Ho
The 2018 film, In Between Seasons, begins with Soo-Hyun's car accident and his mother discovering his truth. His mother learns that her son's best friend Yoon-Joon was actually his boyfriend. After learning the truth, his mother blames Yoon-Joon for the accident.
Will the relationship between the three be restored over time?
LONG TIME NO SEE
롱타임노씨
Year: 2017
Actors: Tak Wook-Suk, Yeon Seung-Ho
We follow the story of two renowned hitmen who disappear and hide their real identities. They eventually fall in love without actually knowing each other's identities.
The execution of the story was so beautiful that I almost forgot about the struggles between the two protagonists. Watch to see if they achieve their happy ending!
How are you enjoying today's Korean LGBT dramas? If there are any other dramas that I've missed, leave a comment! If you're new to this genre, you must try watching a few, and you'll know how great it is.