Language/Korean/Culture/Korean-Cinema

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Korean Culture → Korean Pop Culture → Korean Cinema

Korean cinema has gained massive recognition in recent years, garnering attention from international film festivals and audiences. In this lesson, you will learn about Korean cinema's history, its significant impact on world cinema, and some of the prominent Korean filmmakers and their masterpieces.

With the completion of this lesson, consider investigating these related pages: Korean Pottery & Korean Dramas.

Korean Cinema History

Korean cinema has come a long way since the first Korean-produced movie, "Fight for Justice," was released in 1919. However, it wasn't until the '60s and '70s when the Korean film industry started growing substantially, thanks to the development of modern studios and launch of government funding. The '90s saw a dramatic shift in the type of movies produced. Instead of only patriotic historical dramas, Korean filmmakers began experimenting with different genres, including romance and horror. Korean cinema continues to grow in global popularity, with movies like "Parasite," "Train to Busan," and "Oldboy" elevating the genre beyond the borders of the Korean Peninsula.

Famous Korean Filmmakers

Bong Joon-ho

Bong Joon-ho is perhaps the most famous Korean filmmaker in the world, known for his film "Parasite". He has a diverse range of work covering every genre, from "Memories of Murder" and "The Host" to "Okja". "Parasite" won the Palme d'Or at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival and went on to win several Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best International Feature Film.

Park Chan-wook

Park Chan-wook is another talented director who has won numerous awards and fans for his visually stunning movies. His most well-known works are the "Vengeance Trilogy" ("Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance," "Oldboy," and "Lady Vengeance"), which explore the theme of revenge. Other critically acclaimed films of his include "I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK," "Thirst," and "The Handmaiden."

Kim Ki-duk

Kim Ki-duk is known for his thought-provoking and often controversial films. His work has been praised for its unique approach to difficult subject matter. One of his better-known works, "Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring," is a beautifully shot film about the life of a Buddhist monk. Other notable films of his include "3-Iron," "Pieta," and "The Isle."

Famous Korean Films

"Oldboy"

"Oldboy," directed by Park Chan-wook, is a must-see for any cinephile. It tells the story of a man who is kidnapped and held captive for 15 years. After his sudden release, he searches for the reason behind his imprisonment and seeks revenge on those who took away his freedom. The movie won the Grand Prix at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival and has been remade for Western audiences.

"The Handmaiden"

"The Handmaiden," also directed by Park Chan-wook, is a sensual and bewitching movie set in 1930s Korea during the Japanese occupation. It follows a handmaiden, Sook-hee, who has been hired to serve a wealthy and reclusive woman, Lady Hideko. Sook-hee agrees to help a conman seduce Lady Hideko, but things take a turn when the two women fall in love. The movie premiered at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival and was met with critical acclaim.

"Memories of Murder"

Directed by Bong Joon-ho, "Memories of Murder" is based on the true story of South Korea's first serial killer. Set in a small town in the '80s, the movie follows two detectives as they try to solve a string of murders that has gripped the town. The movie is known for its raw portrayal of crime investigation and was praised for its storytelling and direction.

Korean	Pronunciation	English
배트맨 대 슈퍼맨: 저스티스의 시작	Baeteumaen Dae Syupeomaen: Jeoseutiui Sijag	Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
어벤져스	Eobenjeoseu	The Avengers
스타워즈	Seutawoseu	Star Wars
해리포터와 마법사의 돌	Haeri Poteowa Mabeopsaui Dol	Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
타이타닉	Taitanik	Titanic

Conclusion

Korean cinema has accomplished a lot in the past decade, and its influence keeps increasing in the film industry. You have learned about the history, well-known Korean filmmakers, and their famous movies. Explore more Korean cinema to understand how Korean movies are unlike any other, with their remarkable storytelling and superb cinematography.

Sources

Congratulations on finishing this lesson! Explore these related pages to keep learning: Korean Paper Crafts & Korean Folk Villages.

Table of Contents - Korean Course - 0 to A1

Course Presentation

Korean Alphabets

Greetings and Introductions

Korean Culture and Customs

Sentence Building

Daily Routine

Korean Pop Culture

Describing People and Things

Food and Drinks

Korean Traditions

Verb Tenses

Travel and Sightseeing

Korean Arts and Crafts

Conjunctions and Connectors

Health and Body

Korean Nature

Videos

New Korean Cinema - Criterion Channel Teaser - YouTube

K-Mania: The Popularity of Korean Film and Culture - YouTube

Unexpected Intersections in Japanese and Korean Popular Culture ...

Cold War Cosmopolitan: Han Hyung-Mo & Korean Cinema of the ...

[Heart to Heart] Ep.41 - Film critic from London and fan of Korean ...

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