Five Jun Ji Hyun’s Movies to Watch Before ‘Colony’

‘Colony’ marks Jun Ji Hyun’s return to films after an 11-year hiatus from the big screen. The highly anticipated thriller is set for release in South Korea on May 21 and has already created buzz with its premiere at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. Invited to the Midnight Screening section, the film reportedly received a seven-minute standing ovation following its screening.

In ‘Colony,’ Jun Ji Hyun takes on the role of Se Jeong, a biotechnology professor attending a biotech conference that spirals into disaster after a rapidly mutating virus is unleashed. As the infection spreads and victims begin transforming, authorities place the entire facility under lockdown, leaving survivors trapped and fighting for survival.

Ahead of the theatrical release of ‘Colony,’ here are five Korean movies starring Jun Ji Hyun worth adding to your watchlist.

My Sassy Girl

Few Korean films have achieved the level of cultural impact that ‘My Sassy Girl’ did. Released in 2001, the romantic comedy became a massive hit across Asia and helped establish Jun Ji Hyun as one of Korea’s biggest stars.

The film follows an ordinary college student whose life changes after he meets a spirited and unpredictable young woman at a train station. As their relationship develops, he slowly discovers the emotional pain and hidden struggles behind her seemingly carefree personality.

Il Mare

‘Il Mare’ remains one of Korea’s most memorable romance films and later inspired the Hollywood remake ‘The Lake House.’

The movie centres around two people living in different time periods who unexpectedly begin communicating through a mysterious mailbox outside a seaside house called Il Mare. Despite being separated by time, they gradually build a connection and attempt to overcome the impossible distance between them.

Assassination

Jun Ji Hyun steps away from romance and comedy in this role, delivering a powerful performance as a skilled sniper involved in a high-stakes operation.

Set during the Japanese occupation of Korea in the 1930s, the film follows a group of resistance fighters assigned to eliminate key targets supporting colonial rule. Jun Ji Hyun plays Ahn Ok Yoon, a skilled sniper leading the dangerous mission while facing betrayal and unexpected challenges.

The Thieves

One of Korea’s biggest blockbuster hits, ‘The Thieves,’ brings together a team of skilled criminals attempting an ambitious heist.

The movie follows a group of professional thieves from Korea and Hong Kong who join forces to steal a priceless diamond hidden inside a casino in Macau. As secrets emerge and loyalties shift, the mission becomes far more dangerous than expected.

Daisy

For viewers who enjoy emotional romance stories, ‘Daisy’ delivers love, heartbreak, and mystery. Jun Ji Hyun portrays a street artist whose life becomes intertwined with two men under complicated circumstances.

‘Daisy’ follows Hye Young, a street artist living in Amsterdam whose life changes after receiving mysterious daisies from an unknown admirer every day. She eventually becomes involved with two men, leading to a complicated love triangle filled with misunderstandings, sacrifice, and emotional moments.

Before stepping into the intense survival world of ‘Colony,’ these films offer a look at Jun Ji Hyun’s journey as an actress.