Long before movies like Bong-Joon Ho’s Parasite and Lee Chang-dong’s Burning captured global attention, Korean cinema (or Asian cinema in general) had always stood in a league of its own. Home to some of the most affluent directors in the world, one name continues to ring a bell in modern cinema: Park Chan-wook. Although he made his directorial debut in 1992 with The Moon Is… the Sun’s Dream, it was only in 2002 that he finally showcased his trademark brutal cinematography and black humor through the unofficially-titled Vengeance Trilogy. With no intention of these films being released as a trilogy, the three movies, in no particular order, include Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Lady Vengeance, and of course, Oldboy.
Oldboy follows the story of Oh Dae-su, who is mysteriously kidnapped and imprisoned in a sealed hotel room for 15 years without any explanation. To pass the time, Dae-su learns shadowboxing and attempts to escape so that he can immediately seek revenge. Praised for its gritty narrative, shocking screenplay, and Chan-wook’s take on the themes of revenge and manipulation, Oldboy continues to be a beloved classic. The restored and remastered version of Oldboy will be released in theaters on August 16, 2023, to celebrate its 20th anniversary.
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