Korean movie rating: what to watch?

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Want to watch some Korean movie but can't decide? We offer you a rating of incredibly atmospheric works of the 21st century that will definitely not leave you indifferent. Many of them raise socially significant topics, so when watching, get ready to think and analyze what is happening on the screen.

1. "Spring, summer, autumn, winter and spring again"

The film was directed by Kim Ki-duk. The film was released in 2003 and won the Best Feature Film nomination (2004) at the Pacific Meridian Film Festival of the Asia-Pacific countries, and also won other awards. Duration: 103 minutes.

This film is philosophical, it talks about how inexorable time is, how important humility and naturalness are in life. A monk and his pupil take part in the picture. They live in a hut near the lake. There are 5 sketches in the film, which correspond to a certain time of the year. An interesting fact: they were all filmed in reality at the time of the year, which is stated in the credits, so the shooting took more than a year.

2. "Bad guy"

We continue the rating of Korean films. 2nd place is deservedly occupied by "Bad guy". The director was also Kim Ki-duk. The film plays on the story of a man who turns the girl he fell in love with at first sight into a prostitute.

If you've seen this picture, you might be wondering what the epilogue means. The final scene is incomprehensible to many. According to the director, she shows a new world for both characters: the bad guy renounces false romance in the underworld, and she renounces the values that seemed important to her during her middle-class existence.

The picture leaves behind a heavy residue on the soul. That's what "Bad Boy" is. The 2001 film was critically acclaimed and is still a favorite among many Koreans and Europeans.

3. "Oldboy"

3rd place given to "Oldboy". Directed by Park Chan Wook. This film was shown in cinemas in Russia in 2004. He has garnered numerous awards and nominations. Critics and viewers gave only high ratings.

The plot revolves around a man who was previously a businessman. He is kidnapped for 15 years and kept in prison all this time. After his release, he goes in search of those responsible for what happened to him.

The ending of "Oldboy" (2003 film) can be considered open. Let's go without spoilers. The director specifically made it so that the audience would decide the fate of the characters for themselves.

4. "Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance"

This film (2002) is part of the same trilogy as "Oldboy". They are completely different from each other, but you definitely won't be able to take your eyes off the screen. The picture is measured. Directed by Park Chan Wook.

The plot shows a deaf-mute worker who needs money for an operation for his sick sister. He sells a kidney, but the scammers take his money and disappear. After that, the main character kidnaps the daughter of an influential person and demands a ransom for her.

This picture is ranked 4 in Korean movies for a reason.

5. "Train to Busan"

A 2016 movie that many loved. The action movie is dynamic, raises the usual theme: the zombie apocalypse. However, the film has a lot of social and political overtones. Directed by Young Sang-ho.

The plot revolves around people who are on the train to Busan. The main characters are a father and his little daughter. The debut took place at the Cannes Film Festival. Critics and audiences called the film a masterpiece of Korean cinema. In recent years, only this picture has been able to "blow up" the European audience.

6. "38th parallel"

The film was released in 2004. It shows two brothers who have to participate in the war between South and North Korea. They do not want this and suffer greatly. The budget of the film is solid, so the authors managed to create excellent sceneryand charge the picture with the right atmosphere.

The film was directed by Kang Jae-gyu. The literal period of the name is "Waving the Flag of South Korea".

7. "Poetry"

2010 movie. It tells about a Korean woman who decided to enroll in a poetry course and learn to enjoy the world around her. But in the film, unexpected events occur that take the main character by surprise, making her realize that reality can be cruel and unfair. The main character turned out to be a strong person who is able to deal with all difficulties when there is a warm feeling in the heart - love. Directed by Lee Chang Dong. The film received an award at the Cannes Film Festival for its screenplay.

Watch this movie for yourself and you'll understand why it takes pride of place in the Korean movie rankings.

8. "Network"

Another work by director Kim Ki-duk from 2016. Shown here is the enmity between South and North Korea. In the center of the plot is a man who is fishing in the border zone. But his boat breaks down and is washed ashore by the current of the South Korean coast. The guy is being interrogated by special services, who either torture him or tell him about how good it is to live in the south.

9. "Memories of Murder"

This picture should be included in the rating of Korean films. She is 2003. The film shows how the justice system works. After watching it, you will understand the truth: all those who trydisturb her, become her enemy. The plot shows murders in a small village. The officers want to punish at least someone, they have no goal to solve these crimes. Therefore, one day they go beyond all permitted limits. Directed by Bong Joon Ho. The film is based on real events.

10. "Man from Nowhere"

The last movie in our ranking. The pawnshop owner has only one friend - a little girl who lives next door. Her mother dances at the local bar. Because of the thirst for money, the girl robs a drug courier, hiding the booty in a pawnshop. As a result, the mother and the girl are kidnapped, and the owner of the pawnshop decides to teach a lesson. The film was shot in 2010. Directed by Lee Jong Bum.