Like many other countries after World War II, South Korea experienced a complete transformation of its society in the second half of the twentieth century. It went from being a colony of Japan, devastated by decades of policies aimed at destroying its culture. To become the only nation capable of competing with the United States on a cultural level.
Over the years, we’ve seen the video for Gangnam Style become the first to reach one billion views on YouTube. While Squid Game Will Become the Most Viewed Series in Netflix History. How BTS will become the most-listened-to band in the world on Spotify in 2023. And, of course, how Bong Joon Ho won an Oscar, marking the first time a non-English language film has won Best Picture. In short, a total mastery of all popular arts that is quite difficult to explain, and therefore to imitate.
But let’s forget about records for a moment. Artistic merit goes far beyond audience numbers and monetary gains. If we focus on how good these works of art are, we’ll realize that they excel in that regard, too. Not only are South Korean artists able to attract the attention of millions of people, but the works they create (in this case, films) are often worthy of that attention.. Because they offer deep stories, fresh perspectives and compelling experiences. These three directors have made several of these films and therefore represent the best in a highly competitive industry.
Lee Chang Dong
Lee Chang Dong is the most underrated film director. He is responsible for directing some of the best films ever made in South Korea.But he is usually overshadowed by the formidable artists with whom he shares the credit for turning the country into a remarkable cinematic power.
His style is much more naturalistic than other directors on this list, meaning he doesn’t typically use shocking cinematic techniques, Instead, he focuses all his attention on the story, letting his characters do most of the work.His camera barely moves, perhaps because the stories he tells are so striking in themselves that additional aesthetic efforts would only distract the viewer.
Peppermint Candy is his best film, and therefore the best Korean film ever made. It tells the story of Yeong-ho, a middle-aged man who stops on a train track to cease to exist. The rest of the film is a journey into the past, trying to understand the reasons for the protagonist’s suicide. The result is a devastating experience that explores the deep scars that still bleed at the core of Korean society.The only film that manages to create such an emotional impact is Lee Chang Dong’s second best film.
Second best movie: Poetry.
Park Chan Wook
Park Chan-wook is considered the most important pioneer of South Korean cinema in terms of the national industry’s global recognition. His style is shocking, fast-paced and bloody. It’s impossible to take your eyes off the screen when any of your movies are playing.He has a unique talent to hypnotize you with gripping scenes.
“Joint Security Area,” a film about the bitter conflict between South Korea and North Korea, has become the highest-grossing film in the country’s history. And Oldboy will become a cult film with fans all over the world.. It was the first Korean film I ever saw, and the experience was so powerful that it inspired me to explore more of everything the country has to offer. But these fine films aren’t even his best work.
Sympathy for Lady Vengeance is the best film he has ever made. It tells the story of Geum Ja, a woman who had everything taken from her and is forced to go to prison for a crime she did not commit. Upon her release, she sets in motion the revenge plan she had been hatching throughout her sentence. The style of this film is quite difficult to describe because The director has no interest whatsoever in the narrative conventions of traditional cinema, which allows him to masterfully reveal the protagonist.. Jump between different periods of your life in a similar way to what usually happens in real life, when a feeling suddenly transports you to another era, connecting you with a memory. The result is a cinematic gem that cannot be imitated.
Second best movie:Thirst.
Bong Joon Ho
Bong Joon-ho became the main representative of Korean culture in 2020 during that legendary Oscar ceremony. It was the moment when all of Korea’s efforts paid off on the most prestigious stage of world cinema.
In my opinion, Bong Joon-ho is not as talented as the other directors on this list. His filmography is less impressive than theirs. But the references he makes to Korean culture are much more overt, which has made him the most beloved director in the country. He made South Korean culture more globally recognized than any other director.. And there is no denying that Parasite is one of the best films ever made.
Parasite is clearly the best film he has ever made. He managed to create a compelling narrative that has captivated audiences around the world like never before. He avoided falling into blunt political morality, choosing to present us with a social drama with many consequences, so profound that years later they give rise to interesting conversations about why society is the way it is.. But beyond the subject matter, it’s also a remarkable technical work. With a budget of just $12 million, according to IMDb, he managed to create a unique world through cinematography and musical atmosphere that immediately turned Parasite into a cinematic classic.
Second best movie: Memories of Murder.
Source: Hiper Textual
