Tag Archives: Park Chan-wook (Park Chan-uk)

No Other Choice (2025) Review

December 8, 2025 Paul Bramhall

Director: Park Chan-wook Cast: Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min, Yeom Hye-ran, Cha Seung-won, Yoo Yeon-seok, Kim Hae-sook, Kim Hyung-mook, Oh Dal-su Running Time: 138 min By Paul Bramhall In the opening scene of director Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice we meet a dedicated company man played by Lee Byung-hun (The Match, Ashfall) who seemingly has it all – a nice house, a loving wife, 2 kids, and … Continue reading →

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Decision to Leave (2022) Review

January 3, 2023 Paul Bramhall

Director: Park Chan-wook Cast: Park Hae-il, Tang Wei, Lee Jung-hyun, Park Yong-Woo, Ko Kyoung-Pyo, Kim Shin-Young, Yoo Seung-Mok, Park Jung-Min, Seo Hyun-Woo, Lee Hak-Joo Running Time: 138 min. By Paul Bramhall Take a look at the filmography of director Park Chan-wook and it’s almost impossible to pin him down to any one genre. Whether he’s dealing with a murder mystery in the JSA, the quest for vengeance after being held … Continue reading →

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I’m a Cyborg, But That’s OK (2006) Review

November 30, 2020 Paul Bramhall

Director: Park Chan-wook Cast: Lim Soo-Jung, Rain, Oh Dal-Su, Park Jun-Myun, Choi Hee-Jin, Kim Byung-Ok, Lee Yong-Nyeo, Yoo Ho-Jeong, Park Byeong-Eun, Kim Do-Yeon, Son Young-Soon Running Time: 105 min. By Paul Bramhall In 2005 director Park Chan-wook wrapped up his Vengeance Trilogy with the release of Sympathy for Lady Vengeance, concluding 3 of the most iconic movies of the 21st century (and which, to this day, I find my answer … Continue reading →

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Handmaiden, The (2016) Review

February 15, 2017 Kelly Warner
"The Handmaiden" Theatrical Poster

Director: Park Chan-wook Novel By: Sarah Waters Cast: Kim Min-hee, Ha Jung-woo, Cho Jin-woong, Kim Tae-ri, Lee Yong-Nyeo, Yoo Min-Chae  Running Time: 144 min. By Kyle Warner After making his English language debut in 2013 with Stoker, Park Chan-wook returned to South Korea for his next feature film, The Handmaiden. And while obviously a Park Chan-wook film, I feel that The Handmaiden has more of a western-style than Stoker did. Stoker was Park bringing his Korean dark revenge … Continue reading →

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Thirst (2009) Review

June 25, 2011 JJ Hatfield
Thirst | Blu-ray (Kino Lorber)

Director: Park Chan-wook Producer: Park Chan-wook Cast: Song Kang-Ho, Kim Ok-Vin, Shin Ha-Kyun, Kim Hae-Sook, Park In-Hwan, Song Young-Chang Running Time: 134/145 min. By JJ Hatfield When I first heard of this film, it was presented as a vampire movie. The last thing I felt the world needed was yet another vampire (or zombie) flick. However, knowing that Song Kang-ho was the lead role and the director was Park Chan-wook, … Continue reading →

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JSA: Joint Security Area (2000) Review

February 6, 2011 JJ Bona
"JSA: Joint Security Area" Korean Theatrical Poster

AKA: JSA Director: Park Chan-wook Cast: Lee Byung-Hun, Song Kang-Ho, Shin Ha-Kyun, Lee Young-Ae, Kim Tae-Woo, Gi Ju-Bong, Lee Han-Wi, Lee Dae-Yeon, Kim Myung-Soo, Kim Kwang-Il Running Time: 100 min. By Equinox21 J.S.A. has been my favorite Korean movie, my second favorite Asian movie (behind Chungking Express), and one of my top 5 favorite movies in general ever since I first saw it. Everything about it (save for one minor … Continue reading →

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Anarchists, The (2000) Review

February 1, 2011 JJ Bona
"The Anarchists" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Yu Yeong-Sik Cast: Jang Dong-Geon, Kim Sang-Jung, Jeong Jun-Ho, Lee Beom-Su, Kim In-Gweon, Ye Ji-Won, Jeong Won-Jung, Lee Chan-Yeong, Seo Ji-Won Running Time: 108 min. By Equinox21 When I heard that this movie was written by Park Chan-wook (writer and director of J.S.A. and Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance), I got really excited about seeing it. However, I then noticed the low rating it had on the Internet Movie Database, … Continue reading →

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Old Boy (2003) Review

February 1, 2011 JJ Bona
"Oldboy" Japanese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Oldboy Director: Park Chan-wook Cast: Choi Min-Sik, Yu Ji-Tae, Kang Hye-Jeong, Ji Dae-Han, Oh Dal-Su, Kim Byeong-Ok, Kim Su-Hyeon, Park Myeong-Sin, Lee Dae-Yeon, Yun Jin-Seo Running Time: 120 min. By Owlman Oldboy is one of those films that prove difficult to review. Not because it wasn’t entertaining (it very much was). Nor was the storyline and character development lacking (storyline was very engaging, character development was strong). No, it’s … Continue reading →

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Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (2005) Review

January 3, 2011 JJ Bona
"Sympathy for Lady Vengeance" Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Park Chan-wook Cast: Lee Young-Ae, Choi Min-Sik, Kwon Ye-Young, Kim Shi-Hoo, Oh Dal-Su, Lee Seung-Shin, Ko Su-Hee, Kim Byung-Ok, Ra Mi-Ran, Seo Young-Ju, Kim Bu-Seon Running Time: 112 min. By Mighty Peking Man Watching a Park Chan-Wook film is like listening to a new Radiohead album; at first, you’re not exactly sure what to think, but your initial reaction to the production is positive. To simply put it, a … Continue reading →

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Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002) Review

January 3, 2011 JJ Bona
"Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance" Korean Theatrical Poster

AKA: Myboksu Director: Park Chan-wook Cast: Song Gang-Ho, Shin Ha-Gyun, Bae Doo-Na, Im Ji-Eun, Han Bo-Bae, Kim Se-Dong, Lee Dae-Yeon Running Time: 175 min. By Owlman While watching SFMV, I couldn’t help recalling my own bitter memories of a tragic moment several years ago. A very dear female friend of mine was found stabbed to death and her body dumped in a hockey equipment bag behind a hotel. While her … Continue reading →

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