Korean Cinema
Dubbed the 'new Hong Kong', Korean cinema has taken the international film world by storm with its brutal and confrontational style and original political perspectives. Encompassing both the North and South Korean industries it is the films from the south that have become worldwide hits. From border security thriller, 'JSA' to the haunting 'Oasis' to the mesmerising madness of 'Old Boy', Korean cinema is bold, diverse and here to stay.
Pictured: Horror-chiller already slated for an American remake, 'A Tale of Two Sisters'.
The Host (2006)
7/10
Director: Joon-ho Bong
Starring: Kang-ho Song, Hie-bong Byeon, Ah-sung Ko, Hae-il Park, Bae Doo-na
AKA 'Gweomul'. 'Godzilla' meets 'Alien' in this monster movie with everything, from Korean director Joon-ho Bong. Following a careless toxic waste le... Read more
The Duelist (2006)
6.4/10
Director: Myung-Se Lee
Starring: Ji-won Ha, Sung-kee Ahn
In old Korea a corrupt Minister seizes power and begins printing counterfeit money that throws the economy into disarray. Detective Namsoon and her p... Read more
Murder Take One (2005)
6.4/10
Director: Jin Jang
Starring: Seung-won Cha, Ha-kyun Shin, Jung-ah Park, Ji-su Kim
A crackling blend of murder mystery and deadpan satire, Jin Jang's adaptation of his own play begins with the homicide of a woman in a hotel room - a... Read more
Princess Aurora (2005)
6.6/10
Director: Eun-jin Bang
Starring: Jeong-hwa Eom, Seong-kun Moon, Oh-jung Kwon
A bizarre crime spree appears to leave a trail of random dead, with the only thing to connect them a sticker left on the body of the cartoon character... Read more
The King and the Clown (2005)
7.5/10
Director: Jun-ik Lee
Starring: Woo-seong Kam, Jin-young Jeong, Seong-Yeon Kang, Jun-gi Lee, Hang-Seon Jang, Hae...
South Korea's highest-grossing film of all time (until it was surpassed by 2006's 'The Host') is this period drama-comedy about a group of wandering m... Read more
Seoul Raiders (2005)
5.6/10
Director: Jingle Ma
Starring: Tony Leung (Chiu Wai), Shu Qi, Richie Ren, Jeong-jin Lee, Meme Tian
Wisecracking private eye Lam (Tony Leung) jets off to Seoul on the trail of a thief who has stolen a valuable counterfeiting money plate. A raucous s... Read more
Shadowless Sword (2005)
6.5/10
Director: Young-jun Kim
Starring: Hyeon-jun Shin, So-yi Yoon, Seo-jin Lee, Ki-yong Lee, Ji-Woo Choi
A sword-slinging Korean martial arts epic set in the year 925 A.D., Prince Balhae has been assassinated and the kingdom is under attack and in turmoil... Read more
The Red Shoes (2005)
5.9/10
Director: Young-jun Kim
Starring: Hye-su Kim, Seong-su Kim, Yeon-ah Park, Su-heui Go, Ha-rim Seo
Sun-Jae (Hye-su Kim) discovers her husband has been cheating on her and leaves him, moving into a dilapidated building with her young daughter. When... Read more
A Bittersweet Life (2005)
7.6/10
Director: Kim Jee-Woon
Starring: Min-a Shin, Byung-hun Lee, Yeong-Cheol Kim
For the past seven years super-smooth Sun-woo (Byung-hun Lee) has served his gangster boss with unflinching loyalty. He is such a trusty that his bos... Read more
Sympathy For Lady Vengeance (2005)
Director: Chan-wook Park
Starring: Min-sik Choi, Yeong-ae Lee, Il-woo Nam, Byeong-ok Kim, Bu-seon Kim, Mi-ran Ra
The final instalment in Chan-wook Park's vengeance trilogy, after 'Sympathy for Mr Vengeance' and 'Old Boy', this follows the story of Guem-ja, impris... Read more