Korean culture--beyond The Host, Oldboy, Sympathy for Mr Vengeance, Lady Vengeance

[Keith Alan Morris]

Where can I learn about Korean culture online?

Oh, and heres a great interview with Joon-ho Bong, director of The Host--how he did such great effects on 5 mil: http://www.ugo.com/ugo/html/article/?id=16906&sectionId=7

[krd]

Where can I learn about Korean culture online?

Oh, and heres a great interview with Joon-ho Bong, director of The Host--how he did such great effects on 5 mil: http://www.ugo.com/ugo/html/article/?id=16906&sectionId=7

I don't know of any great sites, but if you're looking for the other side of contemporary Korean cinema (interesting as Park may be), check out Hong Sang-soo (beginning with "The Power of Kangwon Province") Im Kwan-taek's work in the 90s ("Sopyonje", "Adada"), and for inventive Korean horror (sensibility rather than gore) "The Tale of Two Sisters" (Kim Jee-woon). Also, a very odd and interesting police procedural, "Memories of a Murder" (Bong Joon-ho, again). And of course there's a lot more....

[Keith Alan Morris]

wow, thanks! i sense a great list beginning! what are some must sees? Also, in regards to my original post, what are the most popular websites from Korea? Doesnt have to just be film related... I'm researching their culture and buying habits before we begin design. (we're expanding Outback Steakhouses there--I work at a brand strategy agency.)

[krd]

(we're expanding Outback Steakhouses there--I work at a brand strategy agency.)

Don't know if it will help you sell outback steaks, but the one film I would look for is Im Kwan-taek's "Sopyonje". It was a huge success in Korea, and has many Western admirers, including Quentin Tarantino and Martin Scorsese (I believe). It follows a troupe of roving "pansori" singers (a folk art) in the face of encroaching Western modernity, capitalism and marching bands playing Besame Mucho (which might fit your advertising campaign?). But that description makes it sound dry and academic; when in fact it's real and encompassing cinema, at least to my eye. In Korea, they're still willing to admit that human life is tragic, not redeeming and fun. Which can make for better movies.

Unfortunately, this one is only available in PAL DVD. There are two (and later) Im Kwan-Taek films readily available (both historical subjects) on DVD here, but they were less interesting in my view.

Maybe if someone from Criterion is listening.....

There are a number of Hong sang-so films on DVD ("The Power of Kawgdon Province, Turning Gate, Women is the Future of Man, etc.), and he's a polar opposite to Park Chanwok. "The Tale of Two Sisters" is readily available (remake writes were bought by Dreamworks, I think). Also, "Spring Summer Fall Winter" and "The Isle" (both by Ki-duk Kim), not favorites of mine, but easy to find.

[Barend Onneweer]

And for those interested in Korean cinema, I'd consider the work of Jang Sun-Woo essential viewing.

And I thought "Spring, Winter... etc..." was a beautiful film, although you'd really need to see it on the big screen. I don't think it would work on a TV set.

[shaftbond]

i lived in korea for a couple years and used to be decent at the language and the best korean film site i've ever found is: http://www.koreanfilm.org/

alot of good recommendations there. i really enjoyed "Spring Summer Fall Winter and Spring" and "3 Iron". Very quiet, moving films. Also, I liked "Beat" (haven't found it in a US version), "Attack the Gas Station" (low budget, single location comedy), and "Taegukki" (korean war film).