The Korean Grand Bell Awards, also known as the Daejong Film Awards, was established in 1962 by the Motion Picture Association of Korea. This esteemed ceremony has evolved into the most prestigious film accolade in the country, celebrating the artistry, innovation, and cultural significance of Korean cinema. The Grand Bell Awards serves as a platform to honor the outstanding achievements of various talents within the Korean film industry, with awards spanning across various categories, such as:

• Best Film
• Best Director
• Best Actor
• Best Actress
• Best Supporting Actor
• Best Supporting Actress
• Best New Director
• Best New Actor
• Best New Actress
• Best Screenplay
• Best Cinematography
• Best Editing
• Best Art Direction
• Best Lighting
• Best Costume Design
• Best Music
• Best Visual Effects
• Best Sound Effects
• Best Planning
• Best Short Film

In this article, we’re going to highlight the winners of Best Korean Films from 2011 to 2023.

Best Film 2023

콘크리트 유토피아 (Concrete Utopia)

Seoul undergoes a catastrophic earthquake overnight, leaving widespread devastation in its wake. Amidst the ruins, only one sanctuary stands unscathed: the Imperial Palace Apartments. As word spreads of this haven, external survivors converge on the apartments, prompting unease among the residents. Banding together for survival, they appoint Yeong-tak as their leader and establish new regulations to safeguard their community, denying entry to outsiders. Thus, amidst the chaos reigning outside, the apartments become an oasis of tranquility and security. However, within the confines of their utopian refuge, tensions brew, sparking an unforeseen conflict amidst the ongoing struggle for survival.

Best Film 2022

헤어질 결심 (Decision to Leave)

Decision to Leave centers around Jang Hae-jun, an insomniac detective in Busan, and his turbulent relationship with his wife, Jung-an, who works at a nuclear power plant in Ipo. While investigating the suspicious death of retired immigration officer Ki Do-soo, Hae-jun becomes infatuated with the prime suspect, Song Seo-rae, a Chinese immigrant with a complex past. Despite ruling Ki’s death a suicide, Hae-jun’s growing obsession with Seo-rae leads to a romantic involvement, ultimately revealing her guilt in Ki’s murder and implicating her in a subsequent case. As Hae-jun grapples with the consequences of his actions and the revelation of Seo-rae’s manipulations, their tumultuous affair ends in tragedy when Seo-rae takes her own life, leaving Hae-jun shattered and consumed by guilt.

Best Film 2019

기생충 (Parasite)

Parasite delves into the lives of the Kim family, struggling to make ends meet in a cramped semi-basement apartment in Seoul. When their son, Ki-woo, gets an opportunity to tutor the daughter of the wealthy Park family, they seize the chance to improve their financial situation. Through cunning manipulation and deceit, the Kims gradually infiltrate the lives of the Parks, securing employment for each family member. As their symbiotic relationship with the Parks deepens, tensions mount and secrets unravel, exposing the vast divide between the two families and the lengths to which the Kims will go to maintain their newfound status. However, a sudden turn of events shatters their carefully constructed facade, leading to a harrowing and unforgettable climax that exposes the brutal realities of class disparity and societal inequality.

Best Film 2018

버닝 (Burning)

“Burning” unfolds as a captivating psychological drama centered around Jong-su, a young man struggling to find his place in the world amidst societal and personal pressures. When he reconnects with Hae-mi, a childhood friend who has undergone a transformative journey, Jong-su becomes entranced by her enigmatic allure. However, their budding romance takes an unexpected turn with the arrival of Ben, a wealthy and mysterious stranger whom Hae-mi becomes romantically involved with. As Jong-su grapples with his feelings of jealousy and inadequacy, he becomes increasingly suspicious of Ben’s intentions, particularly after Hae-mi suddenly disappears without a trace. Haunted by the uncertainty surrounding Hae-mi’s fate and consumed by his growing obsession with Ben, Jong-su embarks on a desperate quest for answers, delving into the shadows of Seoul’s urban landscape in search of clues.

Best Film 2017

택시운전사 (A Taxi Driver)

In “A Taxi Driver,” set in 1980, we follow the journey of Kim Man-seob, a humble taxi driver struggling to make ends meet in Seoul. Desperate to provide for his young daughter, he reluctantly accepts a fare to drive a German journalist, Jürgen Hinzpeter, to the city of Gwangju. Unbeknownst to Man-seob, Gwangju is in the midst of a violent uprising against the military dictatorship. As they witness the brutal suppression of the pro-democracy protests by government forces, Man-seob and Hinzpeter form an unlikely bond amidst the chaos. Despite the risks, Man-seob is compelled by a sense of duty and humanity to help Hinzpeter document the atrocities unfolding in Gwangju, allowing the world to see the truth of the government’s violent crackdown.

Best Film 2016

내부자들 (Inside Men)

Set within the murky depths of South Korea’s political and corporate landscape, “Inside Men” unravels a gripping tale of power, corruption, and revenge. The story follows Ahn Sang-goo, a seasoned political fixer who orchestrates an elaborate plan to expose the corruption embedded within the highest echelons of society. When a prominent prosecutor, Woo Jang-hoon, begins investigating a bribery scandal involving a powerful conglomerate and a high-ranking government official, Ahn sees an opportunity for redemption and revenge. With the help of a ruthless gangster and a cunning journalist, Ahn infiltrates the inner circle of the conglomerate, unleashing a chain of events that threatens to bring down the entire establishment.

Best Film 2015

국제시장 (Ode to My Father)

Ode to My Father chronicles the remarkable life of Deok-soo, a resilient man who embarks on an extraordinary journey spanning several decades and continents. Set against the backdrop of post-war South Korea, Deok-soo’s story is one of sacrifice, perseverance, and unwavering devotion to family. From his harrowing escape during the Korean War to his struggles as a migrant worker in Germany, Deok-soo’s experiences encapsulate the trials and triumphs of an entire generation.

Best Film 2014

명량 (The Admiral: Roaring Currents)

“The Admiral: Roaring Currents” is a riveting historical epic that transports audiences to the year 1597, during the Japanese invasion of Korea. At the center of the film is Admiral Yi Sun-sin, a legendary naval strategist tasked with defending his homeland against overwhelming odds. As the Japanese fleet, led by the formidable Admiral Kurushima, advances towards the Korean peninsula, Yi Sun-sin devises a daring plan to confront the enemy in the treacherous waters of the Myeongnyang Strait. With only a small fleet of warships at his disposal, Yi Sun-sin faces the daunting challenge of outmaneuvering and outwitting the vastly superior Japanese armada.

Best Film 2013

관상 (The Face Reader)

Nae-gyeong, renowned as the most adept face reader in the Joseon dynasty, leads a secluded life until he is approached by Yeon-hong, a gisaeng, with a lucrative offer. Enticed by the opportunity, Nae-gyeong agrees to read the faces of Yeon-hong’s guests, only to become entangled in a murder investigation. Utilizing his exceptional skills, Nae-gyeong successfully identifies the culprit, earning the recognition of King Munjong, who tasks him with identifying potential traitors. However, following King Munjong’s untimely demise, Nae-gyeong finds himself courted by Grand Prince Suyang, who seeks to ascend to the throne by eliminating the young successor, Danjong. Remaining loyal to the late King, Nae-gyeong joins forces with Kim Jongseo to protect the young monarch, embroiling himself in a monumental power struggle that shapes the destiny of the Joseon dynasty.

Best Film 2012

광해: 왕이 된 남자 (Masquerade)

In the midst of political intrigue and danger in Korea’s Joseon Dynasty, King Gwang-hae seeks protection from assassination by ordering his Secretary of Defense, Heo Gyun, to find a double. Ha-sun, a lowly acrobat, is chosen for his striking resemblance to the king and is trained to impersonate him. When the real king is poisoned, Ha-sun assumes the role of king, bringing a compassionate and humane approach to governance that contrasts starkly with Gwang-hae’s harsh rule. Ha-sun’s genuine concern for the people wins over even the palace staff, but his newfound popularity attracts suspicion from adversaries like Park Chung-seo. As tensions rise and secrets are uncovered, Ha-sun faces a dilemma between his duty and his newfound ideals, ultimately forced to leave the country. Despite Ha-sun’s departure, Gwang-hae returns to the throne to quell rebellions, while the queen grapples with conflicting loyalties towards both the real and fake kings.

Best Film 2011

고지전 (The Front Line)

The film is set during the Korean War and focuses on the intense battles that took place along the Eastern Front, specifically at Aerok Hill, a strategic location fiercely contested by North and South Korean forces. The story follows South Korean intelligence officer Kang Eun-pyo, played by Shin Ha-kyun, who is sent to investigate the mysterious death of his former friend and fellow soldier, Captain Shin Il-young. As Eun-pyo delves into the investigation, he becomes embroiled in the complex dynamics of loyalty and betrayal among the soldiers stationed at the front line. He discovers that the soldiers on both sides form unexpected bonds amidst the chaos of war, leading to conflicting loyalties and moral dilemmas.

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