Recent Korean Films Worth Watching

Korean film director Lee Chang-dong has already been mentioned. But not his film http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2011/jul/28/poetry-film-review). "It tells the story of a suburban woman in her 60s who begins to grow an interest for poetry while struggling with Alzheimer's disease and her irresponsible grandson. Yoon Jeong-hee stars in the leading role, which was her first role in a film since 1994. The film was selected for the main competition at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Best Screenplay Award." Remarkable, absorbing.

One Fine Spring Day was heart wrenching for me.

Seconding "The Man From Nowhere."

Tale of Two Sisters. I'm A Cyborg, But That's Okay. (AMAZING, seriously) Also, Windstruck (or: "I'd Like To Introduce You To My Girlfriend"). And if you liked that, and like smart or weird or creepy Korean rom-coms, let me know. I watch them endlessly. They're so gloriously fantastic.

The same actor in "Castaway on the Moon" also stars in "Going by the Book," which I personally loved (quirky heist film). My tastes run more towards "My Sassy Girl" than "Oldboy," so keeping that in mind, here's what I've enjoyed recently: Cyrano Dating Agency Penny Pinchers Punch/Wandeuki Architecture 101

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarchists_(film) from 2000 is rip-roaring (largely pseudo-) historical action.

Attack the Gas Station! Seriously, Attack the Gas Station! Please watch Attack the Gas Station!

I'll have to third "The Man from Nowhere", which I just watched, indirectly due to this thread. In a lot of ways it's a standard revenge-motivated actioner, so something like Oldboy (with its share of gore), but also like Oldboy it has this un-Western sentimental B story that drives the action. It's been (as I was unsurprised to learn) optioned for Hollywood, and I was imagining someone like Clive Owen in the role. There are intermittent flashes of brilliant cinematography, too, although most of it is simply stylish yet efficient storytelling.

I really liked the movie http://asianwiki.com/Blind_%282011-Korean_Movie%29 (2011).