Korean Job Discussion Forums

[IncognitoHFX]

You know what they say, "when in Rome, do as the Romans do".

I've been doing exactly that. This last month or so I've been devouring Korean cinema, both on DVD as per suggestion of my k-girlfriend (who has good taste), and via the internet in my own home.

So far I've watched Tae Guk Gi: Brotherhood of War, Save the Green Planet, two movies whose names escape me (one was about North Korean and South Korean soldiers defending a small town in the mountains, the other was about a selfish school teacher who was relocated to a small town in an East Coast province), and of course, The Host. I have yet to see OldBoy.

Anyway, having never heard or seen a fanbase for Korean cinema back home (the closest thing being Japanese anime which is popular everywhere), I must say I am very, very, surprised. I know some of the Korea haters who linger on these boards will attack the commonality in Korean films; such as the excessive violence, or the constant state of reflection/mourning, but I really like Korean cinema as an alternative to American cinema. For the problems Korean cinema has, it isn't nearly as bad as Hollywood which has turned into one of the worst, abominations of "art" in the twenty-first century, constantly spewing out rehashed plot after plot and doing so in such a way as to shamelessly make the most money possible (Transformers, anyone?)

Korean cinema runs the gamut of emotions and does so legitimately, and in the films I saw it was incredibly difficult not to feel a genuine connection to the characters, even if they were a little off the wall. I really wasn't expecting such high production values either, but unlike most foreign cinema, Koreans pump a lot of money into their movies and the film industry here isn't plagued by the same problems that Hollywood is.

I'm really enjoying how much inventiveness is injected into these flicks. It seems like half the technique is borrowed, and the other half strives to be an improvement on/over what has been borrowed. On this note, my least favourite was Tae Guk Gi, as it seemed too meandering and Hollywood war-flick-ish, but my most favourite was Save the Green Planet, which managed to capture several different genres at once while paying homage to great movie classics. Above that, it made me laugh, cry, and want to puke all during the same scene. Having lost my patience with Hollywood and the majority of American film, its nice to have at least partially filled that void.

Korean cinema can be really freaking good.

Does anyone have any recommendations? As much as like these movies, some of them make my stomach turn a bit. Maybe something less violent?

Also, how do you feel towards Korean cinema?

[PeteJB]

Sometimes so boring that I'm falling asleep, and sometimes it's so good that I wonder what I've been doing all my life without seeing these movies.

[Billy Pilgrim]

[Carlyles Ghost]

Generally, I enjoy Korean movies. The turgid sentimentality of many (most?) Korean films is difficult to take. But, even if the movie is bad, it is always interesting to see the Korean Mind reflected on film.
The best Korean film I have seen is called UNFORGIVEN. From what I gather, it was a grad school project; one of the finest films I have ever seen.

[princess]

I like Korean movies. Interesting...

[ajgeddes]

While I tend to find Korean movies a tad over dramatic, I still like them for the most part. Except The Host, that is the biggest piece of shit movie in the history of the universe.

[jinju]

Reall, Aj?

Although I personally have not seen The Host I must disagree, I dont think it was that bad.

Op, you mist see Old Boy, but if I were you I would probably sit down with the whole trilogy and watch it in context.

There are a few other good films too. One of the first I ever saw was "My Sassy Girl" and Ive had a thing for JJH ever since.

[ajgeddes]

[jinju]

[oldfatfarang]

Just can't stand the violence - or the gender stereotyping - or the Korean mindset.
That said, a really funny K movie is: " Teach me English" (laughed my butt off at this one - I kept seeing my adult students in the characters). Well worth a look. A great K film.

[Slaps]

Memories of Murder is another top Korean film.

[Newbie]

I watched all the movies you mentioned... thought they were pretty much lame. Low budget, TERRIBLE acting, way too cheesey, and very much a sense of them being recycled. Whenever I watch a Korean film I get hit with an overwhelming feeling of, "hey, didn't I see this story on Love Boat" or "damn, I'm sure I rented this movie along with TeenWolf back in '86"

Having said that, I have only watched about a dozen Korean movies so I am far from an expert. So, for those here who love them and know more about em, I can't really argue. There MUST be some that are better than Tae-gu-ki, Sassy Girl, The Host, D-War, "My windy girlfriend", Welcome to Dong-makol, and all the other crap I end up watching

[Smee]

One thing that surprises me is the low production quality on a lot of films. I'll be watching something on TV and---especially if it's filmed in an older part of town---think that it's probably from the mid-80s or something, only to look it up on IMDB and see it was made in 2004. Happened the other day with "Plastic Tree." Happens with the softcore porn on TV, too. The fashion and old school neon lights make 2002 look like 1982. I would't mind seeing some truly older cinema from the 60s and 70s, if it exists.

There are some good ones and there are some bad ones.

[genezorm]

the new movie with Daniel Henney is pretty good

Mr. Robin or something like that

Daniel Henney has a good face

[Fishead soup]

You are My Sunshine

A coffee delivery girl/ prostitute tries to go straight and marry a socially innept farmer. Something goes incredably wrong.