Korean Cinema
A list of all Korean films I have seen.
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- DirectorPark Chan-wookStarsChoi Min-sikYoo Ji-taeKang Hye-jeongAfter being kidnapped and imprisoned for fifteen years, Oh Dae-Su is released, only to find that he must track down his captor in five days.A bizarre story that excels in offering constant mystery and intrigue, this film contains many layers of complexity that a single viewing would leave one deprived of its beauty. Stylish and fresh, this films is one of a kind. A favorite of mine, not just in Korean cinema, but of all film in general.
- DirectorCheol-soo JangStarsSeo Yeong-hieJi Seong-wonMin-ho HwangA woman subject to mental, physical and sexual abuse on a remote island seeks a way out.The variation from typical protagonist momentum allows this story to reach different avenues of emotional impact. A beautifully executed piece that deserves far more praise than the accolades already received.
- DirectorKim Jee-woonStarsLee Byung-hunChoi Min-sikJeon Gook-hwanA secret agent exacts revenge on a serial killer through a series of captures and releases.Dark, disturbing, violent, and a touch of sociopathic socializing peppered in to character motivations to boot. An amazing addition to Jee-woon Kim's existing directorial features.
- DirectorBong Joon HoStarsKim Hye-jaWon BinJin GooA mother desperately searches for the killer who framed her son for a girl's horrific murder.Hye-ja Kim's performance was fantastic. Rarely can actors portray characters so bereft and melancholic, yet exude such a beautiful grace that Hye-ja Kim has. Her performance elevated this film from marvelous story to work of art.
- DirectorBong Joon HoStarsSong Kang-hoKim Sang-kyungKim Roe-haIn a small Korean province in 1986, two detectives struggle with the case of multiple young women being found raped and murdered by an unknown culprit.A historic piece that revolves around Korea's first serial killer case, it does an exceptional job with its cinematography, creating a wonderfully moody feature. Highly recommended.
- DirectorNa Hong-jinStarsKim Yoon-seokHa Jung-wooSeo Yeong-hieA disgraced ex-policeman who runs a small ring of prostitutes finds himself in a race against time when one of his women goes missing.The central serial killer theme takes a backseat to dynamic character development and the political struggle of a Korea's weakened legal system, shooting this story's overall identity far ahead of other counterparts from the West.
- DirectorBong Joon HoStarsSong Kang-hoByun Hee-BongPark Hae-ilA monster emerges from Seoul's Han River and begins attacking people. One victim's loving family does what it can to rescue her from its clutches.A monster movie, with Korean cinema's uniqueness intact. A great introduction to international films for those who enjoy the creature treatment.
- DirectorPark Chan-wookStarsLee Yeong-aeLee Byung-hunSong Kang-hoAfter a shooting incident at the North-South Korean border DMZ leaves two North Korean soldiers dead, a neutral Swiss and Swedish team investigates what actually happened.Although definitely a flawed film, the 2nd Act was wonderfully executed, and is what lingers with you well after viewing. It begins as if it's going to be your typical military action flick, but quickly changes into a more humanistic piece, with humor, joy and sadness mixed in with great impact. For any Chan-Wook fan it's a must see considering it was his first major feature.
- DirectorKim Ki-dukStarsLee Seung-yunJae HeeHyuk-ho KwonA transient young man breaks into empty homes to partake of the vacationing residents' lives for a few days.Despite having a bizarre 3rd Act, which I've read lends to a for more metaphorical interpretation, the film achieves a certain charm that is original and leaves a lasting impression on the viewer. The fact that the two major character are never seen speaking (with two exceptions on one character's part) the movie has a rare elegance and uniquely conveys a sense of romance.
- DirectorLee Yong-juStarsUhm Tae-woongHan Ga-inLee Je-HoonA 20-year-old architecture student, falls in love with a music student. However, he fails to confess his feelings to her, and they grow apart. 15 years later, she reappears before him and asks him to design her house.Love stories are frequently lost on me, but there are some which sneak through the emotional cracks. Personally, they must go beyond the boy/girl archetypes to offer unique circumstances and well thought out character development. This film did exactly that.
- DirectorKim Jee-woonPil-sung YimStarsLee Bong-gyuChoi Deok-moonMa Dong-seokThe First Chapter of The Anthology Film- In A Brave New World, a mysterious virus brings the city to ruins and zombies flood the streets of Seoul. The Chapter 2, The Heavenly Creature, a robot reaches enlightenment on its own while working at a temple. Its creators regard this phenomenon as a threat to mankind and decide to terminate the robot. The Last Chapter- Happy Birthday, a little girl logs into a strange website and puts in an order for a new pool ball for her billiards-obsessed father. Soon an unidentified meteor heads toward Earth and all human beings flee to underground bomb shelters.
- DirectorJae-young KwakStarsCha Tae-hyunJun Ji-hyunIn-mun KimA young man sees a drunk, cute woman standing too close to the tracks at a metro station in Seoul and pulls her back. She ends up getting him into trouble repeatedly after that, starting on the train.Despite its seemingly common plot-line, this variation on the theme is well complimented by the Korean structure. The acting left something to be desired in the humor department (when compared to American counterparts), but fortunately the story's originality shines through and makes it a fun watch.
- DirectorLee Hae-junStarsJeong Jae-yeongJung Ryeo-wonYeong-seo ParkA failed suicide attempt leads a heartbroken man to live a life in the wilderness.I have an urge for black bean noodles.
- DirectorPark Chan-wookStarsSong Kang-hoShin Ha-kyunBae DoonaA recently laid off factory worker kidnaps his former boss' friend's daughter, hoping to use the ransom money to pay for his sister's kidney transplant.The first installment of Chan-Wook's Vengeance trilogy, now overshadowed by it's successor, Oldboy. Heavily criticized for its extreme violence upon release, it's now considered an important film that shows that Chan-Wook's intent (as seen with his later films) was far more complex than at first glance.
- DirectorPark Chan-wookStarsNam-mi KangJeong-nam ChoiHye-Sook GoAfter being wrongfully imprisoned for thirteen years and having her child taken away from her, a woman seeks revenge through increasingly brutal means.Although weakened in rating when compared to its predecessor, Oldboy, standing alone it is still a well thought out film adhering to the vengeance motif. Chan-Wook continues to impress.
- DirectorKang Hyeong-cheolStarsYoo Ho-jeongShim Eun-kyungJin Hee-kyungSeven girls become good friends in high school, then events pull them apart for 25 years. When one of the friends lies dying in a hospital, she wishes to see each of them one last time.A fun, girl-power character study that definitely has its comedic moments.
- DirectorPark Chan-wookStarsLim Soo-jungRainPark Byeong-eunA girl who thinks she is a combat cyborg checks into a mental hospital, where she encounters other psychotics. Eventually, she falls for a man who thinks he can steal people's souls.
- DirectorKim Jee-woonStarsLim Soo-jungYum Jung-ahKim Kap-suAfter being institutionalized in a mental hospital, Su-mi reunites with her sister, Su-yeon, and they return to live at their country home. But strange events plague the house, leading to surprising revelations and a shocking conclusion.
- DirectorPil-sung YimStarsCheon Jeong-myeongEun Won-jaeShim Eun-kyungAfter meeting a mysterious girl on an dark stretch of road, a young salesman is invited to a beautiful house with bizarre secrets and no way to escape.
- DirectorFruit ChanPark Chan-wookTakashi MiikeStarsBai LingLee Byung-hunKyoko HasegawaAn Asian cross-cultural trilogy of horror films from accomplished indie directors.
- DirectorKim Ki-dukStarsKim Ki-dukOh Yeong-suJong-ho KimA boy is raised by a Buddhist monk in an isolated floating temple where the years pass like the seasons.Despite having beautiful cinematography, the subject matter makes it a difficult recommendation. With the plot being a glimpse into the life of a monk, each chapter separated by many years in the attempt to show the seasons of the monk's life from child to old man, the slowness and minimal dialog bring the film to an act of meditation itself.
- DirectorJung Doo HongKim Jee-woonStarsLee Byung-hunShin Min-aKim Yeong-cheolThings go wrong for a high ranking mobster when he doesn't follow his boss's orders.An homage to American gangster films, with Scorsese references scattered throughout. If you're a fan of gang-related action flicks, this will certainly be enjoyable. But, if you're looking for an original story and great character development, continue your search.
- DirectorLee Jeong-beomStarsWon BinKim Sae-ronKim Tae-hoonA quiet pawnshop keeper with a violent past takes on a drug-and-organ trafficking ring in hope of saving the child who is his only friend.A fun film, although nowhere near as complex in character or storyline when compared to many of the other stellar Korean films abound.
- DirectorPark Chan-wookStarsSong Kang-hoKim Ok-binChoi Hee-jinThrough a failed medical experiment, a priest is stricken with vampirism and is forced to abandon his ascetic ways.An interesting take on the vampire tale. I desperately wanted Chan-wook Park to reinvent the mythology, but felt that it was just another instance in the endless surplus of the genre. Regardless, Chan-wook Park does a good job as always.
- DirectorSong Il-gonStarsKam Woo-seongJung SuhKang Kyung-hunA recently widowed TV producer is drawn to an isolated cabin in a mysterious woods.