Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Leon]

I've been studying Korean for awhile, and like to watch Korean movies so I can hear what I've learned in a natural way while reading the subtitles. Also it's a good way to pick up interesting phrases. I just watched Adjoshi, and have seen the Vengeance trilogy movies. What are some other good ones?

[northway]

I really like Kim Ki-duk's stuff, but it's not that great for language acquisition considering some of his films have almost no dialogue. Regardless, he shoots Korea really well.

[Porksta]

Attack the Gas Station is a great film.

[chasmmi]

Welcome to Dongmakgeol
THirst
JSA
The Host
Friend
Brotherhood
THe GOod The BAd The Weird
3 Iron
Castaway on the Moon
Memories of murder

Plus basically anything containing SOng Kang Ho

[CentralCali]

Marathon

[northway]

I really like JSA but I think it's kind of confusing if you aren't already familiar with the actors involved.

[J Rock]

My favorite Korean movie is "The Chaser." It's about an ex cop who turned into a pimp and is trying to save one of his hoes from being killed by a psycho.

[World Traveler]

Man, that movie Chaser was very, very dark. I felt sick to my stomach after watching it. Not a fan of the ending either. Is there really stuff like that in Korean society I thought while watching the movie. Pretty disturbing.

Here's a movie that was recommended to me. It's about racism in Korea:
반두비
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4u3QcLksE4
(Also, how close this movie rings to the truth is a mystery to me.)

[kvonnegut]

I recently watched my sassy girl, and really liked it. I'll admit the humour was a bit tame in parts but it's worth a watch if you want alternative to the dark/disturbing/macho.

That said, Oldboy and Brotherhood are both great films.

Check out their big budget monster movie as well, "The Host". Great if you're working in or around Seoul.

[Leon]

cool thanks for the suggestions. This is enough to keep me busy for awhile.

[Steelrails]

If you're into "Art House" movies, and Korean art house ones are pretty solid, I suggest going to koreanfilm.org for suggestions. They bat almost 1000 there. People who know good films. Unfortunately if you are in for "lighter fare" they might not review some of those movies.

Directors to look for: Hong Sang Soo, Lee Yoon-Ki, Kim Ki-Duk, Park Chan Wook, Kwak Jae Yong, Im Sang Soo, Na Hong Jin

Actors/Actresses: Sung Kang Ho, Jeon Do Hyeon, Jang Jin Young. Hardly ever seen one in a bad film.

Comedy
Attack the Gas Station
Dasepo Naughty Girls
Crush and Blush
Secret Reunion
Radio Days
Singles
i Wish I had a Wife

Drama
Feathers in the Wind
This Charming Girl- Probably my favorite. Lee Yoon-Ki movies are superb.
My Dear Enemy
Poetry
Mother
Secret Sunshine
The Show Must Go On
Once Upon a Time in High School

Melodrama
The Classic
Il Mare
Between Love and Hate

Thriller
Memories of Murder
The President's Last Bang
The Big Scene
Princess Aurora

Korean films are really enjoyable. They have a "natural" approach to storytelling in a lot of them and the ending is often unexpected or open-ended. I also like the fact that they tend to move freely between genres. Some viewers find this discomforting, but I enjoy it.