Here is another top 10 Korean films, this time from MikeyT. Here is a link to a previous top 10 Korean films that was sent in from Paul, take a look at them both, I think it makes for interesting reading. Please leave a comment and let us know what you think of the top 10.
1. The Chaser
Year: 2008
Director: Hong-jin Na
2. Oldboy
Year: 2003
Director: Chan-wook Park
3. Bittersweet Life
Year: 2005
Director: Ji-woon Kim
4. Sympathy for Mr. Vengance
Year: 2002
Director: Chan-wook Park
5. Breathless
Year: 2009
Director: Yang Ik-Joon
6. Memories of Murder
Year: 2003
Director: Joon-ho Bong
7. Mother
Year: 2009
Director: Joon-ho Bong
8. Barking Dogs Never Bite
Year: 2000
Director: Joon-ho Bong
9. Tale of Two Sisters
Year: 2003
Director: Ji-woon Kim
10. Running Turtle
Year: 2009
Director: Yeon-woo Lee
Other details: Honorable mentions: Thirst, Sympathy for Lady Vengance, A Dirty Carnival, and Spider Forest.
This is the second top 10 of Korean films that we have had and its interesting to see how many feature in both top 10′s. After the last top 10 Korean films from Paul I have since seen Oldboy and I can say that these Korean films really are good, I recommend you take a look at a number of these films as I think like I was you will be surprised with hoe cool they really are.
Let us know what you think of this top 10 by leaveing a comment below. Also if you would like to submit your own top 10 please do so here.
Haven’t seen any of them, must try to see some of them. I think I still have Oldboy around somewhere, must really sit down to watch it.
@Nostra I can definitely recommend Oldboy, it is brilliant, if not a little disturbing.
Great list, stupidly happy to see someone else recognises The Chaser as a great film. I have seen 9 of the above and some since I did my list, and a couple of these would be on mine too now (Barking Dogs Never Bite is wonderful). I’m off to find a copy of runing turtle. Oh and if the list creator wants to say hi, I’m on twitter @pafster
Oldboy is also in the IMDB top 250, so it already was on my “to watch” list. Hope I get around to seeing it. So many movies I still want to see….
It’s nice to see people talk about world cinema as well. I discovered Korean cinema quite recently so I have a long way to go, but The Chaser is one of my all time favourites, even more so than Oldboy which is probably the most famous export of Korea. Surprisingly, no one mentioned My Sassy Girl which is such a charming rom-com. I just wished Hollywood made rom-coms like this rather than their run of the mill stuff. Although they did remake it, but it failed miserably.
Hi Raghav, Ive seen My Sassy Girl, its brilliant. And would have made my list if I did it today
When I did this list a few weeks back I had not seen but have since watched a film called “The Show Must Go On”, starring the amazing Song Kang-ho (Memories of Murder, Thirst, The Host). It’s probably vaulted to #6 on my list, nudging “Running Turtle” out of my top ten. It’s an excellent film, and Song’s performance is absolutly brilliant. Most of the films listed are staples of well known Korean films, but the one more obscure film you don’t want to miss out on is “Breathless”. Amazing performances all around and a must see. Yes Paul, “The Chaser” is not only my favorite Korean film, but probably in my top 10 of all time in any language. Although “My Sassy Girl” is not my cup of tea, it is a nice well done film, I agree. I also recently saw “White Night” which was solid, not on my list but a good film. I also saw “The Housemaid” which was very good, but not great. Also saw the recent release “Secret Reunion” with Song Kang-ho. It was disappointing to say the least considering Song is my favorite actor, it had a very bland script. I am anxiously awaiting “I Saw The Devil” which is schedule for an early 2011 North American DVD release, it’s getting amazing reviews. Also looking forward to “Murderer” also known as “The Yellow Sea” which reunites the lead actor and the director of “The Chaser”. I think it’s coming out in Korea this December 2010, so look for it to be availible sometime next summer or fall 2011. Korean films rock!!!
Having recently watched quite a lot of Korean movies I’m really happy to find this list again, already ordered The Chaser last week, but now there are even more to watch!