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Best Asian Movies of 2020

Written by YumCha! Editorial Team Tell a Friend

Our editors' picks for the best Asian films released on DVD or Blu-ray in 2020!

SANWEI'S PICKS

Another Child
It's no secret that Kim Yoon Seok is a great actor, but it turns out he's also a pretty good director. The award-winning actor casts himself as a cheating husband who cowardly runs off when his affair with the mother of his daughter's classmate comes to light. While he's out of the picture, the two teenage girls form an unexpected sisterhood over their soon-to-be-born sibling, and the two mothers handle the mess left behind like adults. What could have easily been a soap opera instead becomes an empathetic depiction of how the four women face their difficult relationships and conflicts straight on without losing sight of what matters most. The four actresses – Yeom Jung Ah, Kim So Jin, Kim Hye Jun and Park Se Jin – shine in strong performances onscreen, while Kim Yoon Seok makes a compelling debut behind the camera.

Better Days
"You protect the world. I'll protect you." Zhou Dongyu and Jackson Yee play two marginalized youngsters, one a bullied high school senior and the other a rebellious street rat, who find momentary warmth and strength in each other to fight a cold world. Sweeping the top prizes at the Hong Kong Film Awards, Derek Tsang's moody and moving film holds a Higashino Keigo-esque twist in its gut-wrenching crime mystery but the core of the story is the protagonists' relationship, which lights a flicker of hope in an otherwise unwelcoming world. Anchored by the leads' exceptional performances and an equally exceptional production team, Better Days acutely captures the look and feel of youth on the edge – the feelings of helpless anguish, lonely willfulness and desperate courage that bring the two together into a pure, brazen bond that no adult could understand.

Detention
Detention gets under the skin with more than ghosts and jump scares. Based on a Taiwan horror adventure game, TV director John Hsu's feature debut is set in the 1960s during the White Terror, when the military government persecuted dissenters and intellectuals. Two students mysteriously wake up at their high school one night, only to find they're trapped inside and surrounded by terrifying spectres and scenes. As they race through the school searching for answers and a way out, the film's haunting imagery provides a reexamination of a dark period of Taiwan history, and the heroine recalls her own part in a secret club for reading banned books. From the art direction and lighting to the cinematography and visual effects, Detention's mise en scene creates an enchanting and unsettling atmosphere that readily transforms the suffocating chill of repression into supernatural terrors that visualize the deepest fears of their time and place. John Hsu is a name to watch, as are the young leads, new-generation it girl Gingle Wang and Tseng Jing Hua from Your Name Engraved Herein.

Happy Old Year
Many of us probably went through some kind of Marie Kondo phase in the past two years. And it probably awakened some internal debate about which possessions spark joy and which spark regret. Happy Old Year turns that decluttering process into a journey of self-reflection for a cool-headed designer (Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying) who wants to trash everything in her family home to make space for a studio. At the last minute, she has a change of heart and begins returning things to people, allowing her to reconnect with her ex-boyfriend (Sunny Suwanmethanont). While this may sound like a recipe for uplifting life lessons and romantic rediscovery, writer-director Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit doesn't really play that game. He applies austere sensibilities to both the film's appealingly minimalist aesthetic and the emotional journey of the relatable yet inscrutable protagonist. Happy Old Year is neither feel-good nor feel-bad, but rather a realistic mixed bag of realizations and regrets that bring some form of closure.

The Man Standing Next
One of the most shocking episodes of modern Korean history is the assassination of President Park Chung Hee on October 26, 1979, by his right-hand man Kim Jae Gyu, the director of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency. Im Sang Soo famously dramatized the hours before and after the assassination in his controversial 2005 film The President's Last Bang. Woo Min Ho's political thriller goes further back to 40 days before, laying a complex backdrop of political fallouts and rising tensions involving Koreagate, civilian protests and power struggle within the President's inner circle. In this intense yet opaque character study, Lee Byung Hun essays Kim with the dignified, desperate air of a man who sees the writing on the wall – both for himself and the authoritarian regime he helped build. With the calculating President (Lee Sung Min) clearly shifting favor to his aggressive bodyguard (Lee Hee Joon, furiously chewing scenery), Kim's conflicting emotions and survivalist instincts brew and boil to a breaking point that seems premeditated yet impulsive, inevitable yet open-ended.

Me and Me
Actor Jung Jin Young throws a curveball with this unpredictable directorial debut that defies narrative and genre convention. Jo Jin Woong plays a police detective who becomes suspicious about a fire in a remote village that claims the lives of a married couple. While he's investigating the villagers to figure out why the couple were trapped in their house, something strange happens. He inexplicably wakes up one morning in that very house as another person – the teacher who perished in the fire. The life, family and identity he knows of have suddenly vanished, and everyone in the village is calling him by a different name. Whatever you think Me and Me may be about going in, it's probably not that. Jung Jin Young, who also wrote the screenplay, unfurls an uneasy mystery that turns out to be something else, maybe.

So Long, My Son
Three hours go by slowly yet surely, just like the march of time, in Wang Xiaoshuai's So Long, My Son. The melancholic drama unfolds the deep connection and indelible tragedy linking two families over three decades that witness the transformation of modern China. In Silver Bear-winning performances, Wang Jingchun and Yong Mei play parents who lose their only son to a drowning accident caused by the son of their close friends. The death is a great trauma to both families, and the bereaved couple chooses to leave Beijing behind, later adopting a rebellious boy who looks like their late son. When the old friends meet again, decades have passed and Beijing has changed, but the pain, guilt and memories remain. Different chapters of the characters' lives are gradually revealed in non-chronological manner. In these personal stories, we also see the greater story of China's policies and changes, from the impacts of the one-child policy and the reformation of state-owned enterprises, to the contrast between a big city transformed and a provincial town where time stands still.

Suk Suk

Suk Suk
Tai Bo and Ben Yuen play two everyday retired men who meet at a gay pickup spot one bright and sunny day in Hong Kong. From there, the two develop an intimate physical and emotional bond that introduces new meaning and potential into the latter years of their lives. However, both men also have families that they wish to preserve and protect. Ray Yeung's subtle script and naturalistic direction realistically conveys the concerns and considerations guiding the protagonists, while also gently expressing the emotional lives and social needs of the elderly gay community. This twilight love story never tries to do too much; instead, it lets life gently go its way, making their rare connection all the more affecting.

Tora-san, Wish You Were Here
I'm a sucker for nostalgia done right, so the Tora-san 50th anniversary film got me right from the start with its theme song opening by Kuwata Keisuke and its old-school credits and color saturation. Yamada Yoji's long-running Otoko wa Tsurai yo series about a traveling salesman who's unlucky in love ended in 1997 after Atsumi Kiyoshi passed away. Arriving over two decades later, this 50th entry catches up with Tora-san's family in a gently humorous and bittersweet way. Yoshioka Hidetaka returns as Tora-san's nephew, now a widowed father and novelist but still in need of guidance. Many other aged familiar faces from the beloved series appear to ruminate and reminisce. Digitally restored footage of memorable moments from the film series are interspersed throughout, creating the unique experience of watching a "new old movie" in which Tora-san's presence is still strongly felt. This is a warm, fitting tribute that both newcomers and fans can appreciate, and a return to roots for Yamada Yoji.

We Are Little Zombies
Four orphaned kids meet outside a crematorium and bond over their lack of tears for their parents' deaths in Nagahisa Makoto's remarkable debut feature. Declaring themselves zombies for their inability to emote in the way the adults expect, the four join together, run off… and randomly start a rock band that goes viral. Each chapter of the precocious kids' oddball journey is divided into video-game-inspired levels, as they score a contract and achieve overnight fame with their deadpan singing over 8-bit garage rock. The true journey in question, though, is their process of coping with grief and figuring out their place in the world. With its disorienting yet mesmerizing visuals, impactful soundtrack and ponderous dialogue, We Are Little Zombies reminds of the pop experimental verve and young emotional rawness of early Iwai Shunji.

VIOLET'S PICKS

Ashfall
Ashfall topped the box office with ease for its action-packed thrills and stirring plot about a special task force and a spy racing against the clock to prevent the eruption of the majestic Mount Baekdu. As one of the most highly anticipated films of the year, the disaster blockbuster gathers top-tier actors Ha Jung Woo and Lee Byung Hun to shed blood, sweat and tears together. Meanwhile, this time, Ma Dong Seok is no longer a gangster nor a fighter, but a seismologist who uses his academic expertise to save the country. Ashfall is basically presented like many a Hollywood blockbuster, only with Korean context – North and South Korea relations, nuclear activity, plus a Korean-style sentimental storyline that connects family, brotherhood and friendship amidst tragedy. Despite some unbelievable scenes, the movie is worth watching for its outstanding visual effects from Dexter Studios (same studio that worked on Along With the Gods) and the impressive acting from the A-list cast.

Beauty Water
"Soak in the Beauty Water for 20 minutes and reshape your own beautiful face and figure as you wish." The appearances and fate of an ordinary person can be changed in just half an hour in the modern-day dark fairy tale Beauty Water, the animated adaptation of Oh Seong Dae's legendary horror webtoon. From workplace bullying to discrimination to parent-blaming, Beauty Water mirrors the toxic lookism culture of our beauty-driven society through the experiences of a protagonist who changes her appearances thanks to a magical water. The pursuit of beauty brings out her anxiety and insecurity, driving her to yearn for even more beauty. In the end, the vicious cycle pushes her mentally and physically over the edge. Though the dubbed voices of a few characters are too dramatic and some "body horror" scenes are slightly disturbing, Beauty Water is overall an intriguing animated movie that leaves much food for thought.

Beyond the Dream
Two desolate, wounded and helpless souls are healed in the surreal romance Beyond the Dream. As a former schizophrenic patient, Lok (Terrance Lau) longs for love but is afraid to start a relationship until he falls in love at first sight with Yan Yan (Cecilia Choi). Experiencing a relapse, Lok gets lost in hallucination and delusion, unable to discern whether Yan Yan and their memories were real or not. His mind becomes even more complicated when he encounters psychological counselor Lam, who looks very much like Yan Yan. From the lighting and sound design to the soundtrack and cinematography, the concept of imaginary love and illusions is built into not only the screenplay but many different aspects of the film. Kiwi Chow, one of the directors of Ten Years, presents another award-winning Hong Kong story that resonates with local audiences, especially with its aesthetically pleasing settings in the "new town" of Tuen Mun.

By Quantum Physics: A Nightlife Venture
A popular rapper's drug scandal unexpectedly turns into a murder case uncovering the corrupt connections between politicians, police, prosecutors, gangsters, journalists and the entertainment industry in Lee Seong Tae's crime comedy By Quantum Physics: A Nightlife Venture. Blue Dragon Awards Best New Actor winner Park Hae Soo portrays a nightclub owner who applies quantum physics theory to life ("thoughts create reality"). Seo Ye Ji co-stars as a top marketing director who joins the nightclub management with her own hidden agenda. Director Lee creates an intriguing crime that seems to be beyond imagination (and yet comes across like a real-life club scandal that happened in Korea in 2018). This nightlife venture gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look into the ugly side of club culture and corruption.

EXIT

EXIT
2020 has been a tough year and we all need some comedy movies to chill out and de-stress. EXIT pulls off a fresh, never-seen-before theme: characters climbing buildings to escape a mysterious toxic gas while retaining their sense of humor. While others are stumbling around, stars Jo Jung Suk and Im Yoona scale walls and jump from buildings to towers, using their climbing skills and nimble wits to keep their family safe and to stay alive. The film has many oddly funny moments amid the life-or-death situation. For example, those survival skills and tips from handbooks turn out to be totally unhelpful to the protagonists. While watching the film, you can't help feeling nervous and frightened for them one second, and then laughing till your stomach hurts in the next second. Having won several prizes at Korea's major awards, first-time writer-director Lee Sang Geun has successfully created a remarkable piece and paved the way for a niche film genre.

Honest Candidate
"Is it a sin for a politician to be honest?" The Bros director Jang Yoo Jung's latest satire comically exposes the dark and untruthful side of public figures through a fantasy plot about a wily politician who turns into a Honest Candidate out of the blue. Suddenly unable to lie, Joo Sang Sook has a rough time running for reelection to the National Assembly. Her unintended honesty becomes a double-edged sword. On one hand, it makes up for the lousy lies she has told; on the other hand, there are private family matters that just aren't meant to be shared. Taking up the main role again in a comedy-drama, Ra Mi Ran displays the unknown side of politicians with her unique character, and demonstrates how to start over and win hearts (with some help from Kim Moo Yeol as her loyal assistant). The black comedy also sheds light on shady politics that would only be laughable and lighthearted onscreen, not in real life.

Innocence
Inspired by a real-life story, Innocence unveils the conspiracy surrounding a pesticide murder case that occurred in a small village and a trial that arouses indignation. Taking her first silver-screen leading role, Shin Hye Sun plays a top attorney struggling to defend her estranged, dementia-stricken mother and autistic brother while looking back on her miserable childhood. The plot-twisting suspense drama follows the protagonist as she matches the puzzle pieces of a bewildering mystery that is unfavorable to her family, forcing her to face moral dilemmas from time to time. With the impressive acting of Shin, Bae Jong Ok, Heo Joon Ho and Hong Kyung, Innocence is a movie that leaves you with an uneasy feeling about the greed and morality of humanity.

Kim Ji-Young, Born 1982
The best-selling novel Kim Ji-Young, Born 1982 is one of the most significant works of feminist literature from Korea in recent years. Despite receiving some backlash, Hallyu stars Jung Yoo Mi and Gong Yoo determinedly joined as leads of the novel's movie adaptation. Jung Yoo Mi portrays ordinary woman Kim Ji Young, who faces unfair treatment and discrimination because of her identity as a daughter, a wife, a mother and, most generally, a woman. Stress affects Ji Young's mental health such that she begins to feel depressed and sporadically behaves like her mother, grandmother and late best friend. For her, there is a silver lining: she has a very loving husband and family who strive to understand and help her. But in real life, not everyone is as "lucky" as her. Though it may not be particularly exciting or dramatic, Kim Ji-Young, Born 1982 deserves to be recommended for its take on an important social issue.

Last Letter
Iwai Shunji's Japanese version of Last Letter comes two years after his same-titled Chinese feature. The Japanese auteur again uses letters as the motif to evoke memories and create a sentimental aura for the movie. Yuri (Matsu Takako) attends a high school reunion for her late sister Misaki, but ends up being mistaken for the latter. She even runs into her first crush Koshiro (Fukuyama Masahiro), and begins writing letters to him in her sister's name. In the meantime, he sends a letter to Misaki's old address that is received by Misaki's daughter Ayumi (Hirose Suzu). They reminisce of past memories and relationships from Misaki's high school years while grieving the loss of their love. Through the letters, the characters each recall their stories with Misaki and meaningful words she once said that give them strength to move on. Last Letter is exactly the type of aesthetically appealing romantic film from Japan that we all adore.

Ride Your Wave
A fire accident brings together surfer Hinako and firefighter Minato, and they fall deeply in love with each other. Minato learns surfing from Hinako and slowly overcomes his fear of water. However, he drowns while saving a jet skier on a stormy winter day. Traumatized, Hinako stops surfing, but one day, she miraculously sees Minato in the water when she sings their love song. Hinako, along with Minato's sister Yoko and his co-worker Wasabi, learns to grow, move on and be a better person while recalling Minato's life motto and attitude. Directed by the acclaimed Yuasa Masaaki, this award-winning anime illustrates a moving, pure love tale that also encourages us to ride our own waves – to do what we like confidently and try our best to help others. The film's memorable soundtrack, featuring the refreshing and summery theme song Brand New Story by GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE, will just simply show up in your mind whenever you visit a beach.