Knowing that I'm a cinephile, a friend recently asked me to name my favorite Korean movies. I named five of them and this is pretty much what I said.
"Joint Security Area": I told my friend that it resonates with many Koreans because it articulates on a personal level their collective pangs of living in a broken nation. He said, "huh?"
And I said: "It's about Koreans being fucking pissed that they can't be with their brothers and sisters. And it's a whodunit to boot."
Song Kang-ho pretty much rules the movie, though Lee Byung-hyun - he represents the pang - is very convincing.
"Memories of Murder": I liken it to being a Korean version of "Seven," with a good dash of politics thrown in. I was there at its screening at 2003 Toronto Film Festival when the appreciative crowd stood and cheered as the credits rolled. Again, Song Kang-ho rules in the movie.
"The Host": Anthony Lane of the New Yorker says he saw it three times. I don't like it that much, but Song Kang-ho pretty much...well, you get the idea.
"Oasis": I never cry. I came pretty close with this. Seol Kyung-gu, as the dolt brother newly freed from jail, is brilliant. I worship at the altar of Moon So-ri - she of the fabulous name.
"Oldboy": I recommended this even though it's not one of my favorites because, at least stylistically, it's the most sophisticated Korean movie made. But it lacks subtlety of any kind, is littered with gratuitous violence and has a tiresome plot.
I would have recommended Hong Sang-soo's "Turning Gate," but that's like serving up al-chigae to a Korean food novice.
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