Korean cinema officially began on now celebrated as Korean Film Day—with the screening of , the country's first kino-drama.

The 1960s were also defined by munye films, such as The Seashore Village (1965) , which adapted Korean literature for the screen. The Korean New Wave and Global Rise

Early films like Na Woon-gyu’s Arirang (1926) used allegory to express national identity and resistance against Japanese rule.

The late 1990s marked a "Renaissance" as government control loosened and corporate financing (chaebols) entered the market. A Brief History of Korean Cinema | Remastered

After the Korean War, tax exemptions revitalized the industry. This era produced The Housemaid (1960) , directed by Kim Ki-young, a masterpiece of domestic psychological horror that continues to influence directors like Bong Joon-ho.

The South Korean film industry, often referred to as the "Korean Scene," has evolved from colonial-era grassroots productions into a global cinematic powerhouse. From the stark psychological dramas of the 1960s to the genre-defying blockbusters of the 21st century, its filmography is defined by emotional resonance, social critique, and high-tension storytelling.