Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ethan Allen Hawley]

I'm actually interested in Korean movies for two reasons: if they are actually good movies then they're a fun way to access modern culture; and they're a great way to learn language. So, I'm asking about two different things, or two different categories of movies, and also across three levels: beginner, intermediate, and higher level learner of Korean. I've seen very few Korean movies, and my Korean langauge skills are terrible, so I'd really appreciate any ideas for any of these categories. These are my ideas, but it's been a while since I saw any of these, and that was with subtitles, so any opinions on other movies, and these ones too, are welcome.

Good Korean Movies

- Beginner Korean language level
(little dialogue, and easy to understand without subtitles, or slow/clear delivery of spoken content):

Jipeuroh (The Way Home)
Old Boy
Spring Summer Winter Autumn Spring
Oasis
3 Iron
... ?

- Intermediate Korean language level:

Marathon
Elaborate Vacation (May 18 )
Shiri

- Higher Korean language level
(faster dialogue, more dialogue, nuanced meaning, highly contextual, often contains culturally appropriate humour or local references):

Friends (Jingu)
My Wife is a Gangster
Taegukki

[ThingsComeAround]

3 Iron was pretty good, also I would like to nominate a movie which hasn't been posted: My Teacher Mr Kim (hilarious!)

I think that OldBoy should be in the Intermediate or Advanced column.. That is one confusing movie, comparable to 13 Monkeys

[i4NI]

I liked 공공의 적 (Public Enemy) and part 3 of the movie, I think it's called Public Enemy Returns. Just be careful cuz the one I downloaded had subtitles that didn't work.

Also try Bittersweet life.

You can find many of them on avistaz.com, but you need a membership (it's free).

If you like love stories, than My Love and The Classic are good too.

[madoka]

I rather liked Please Teach Me English.

[earthbound14]

Taegukki? That was shite...started well, but the story was horrendous.

Your other choices are good though.

The entire vengence trilogy is awesome. I really like Sympathy for Mr. Vengence and Sympathy for Lady...

I second A Bitter Sweet Life - good little gangster flick

The Chaser - very high intensity thriller about a psycho killer and the man who is chasing him (apparently based on a true story)

A Tale of Two Sisters - Asian ghost story, but more about the disfunctional family than an actual ghost, so either it is better than your average scary movie because it could be real or it's worse because it isn't scary enough...I say better, interesting take on the ghost story.

Keu Nom Mok Sori (sorry no hangeul on this computer) - not a great film but based on a real story about a news caster whose son was kidnaped.

Memories of Murder - another real story, but this time realy well done.

The Kings Man - Wong We Nam-Ja (The Clown and the King) - again not a great story, but I liked it because it was set in old Korea and gave a good glimpse of the past. Visually a nice film.

My last film...I can't remember the name. I've only seen it in Korean and don't remember the meaning of the title. The story is about a boy left in his village while the men are away at war. He is of course old enough for all the ladies of the village to lust after. He is also really well hung and able to do amazing things with his member...like put out forest fires and juggle. A very funny story with loads of lovely Korean ladies, wacky humour and of course a really big Dick. If anyone has travelled around Korea they'd know Koreans like Dick.

[John Ep]

the best place to go for info on Korean film is Darcy's website:

www.koreanfilm.org

he has tons of info on Korean film, all genres, new and old.

my favorite is "Tears" (Nunmul), its like a Korean version of "Kids," except they huff gas instead of roll....