Essential Korean Cinema for the DVD Profiler Community

I thought I would expand upon the list of Korean cinema that I posted in the International cinema thread. In the coming days, I will expand the list to include pictures, links to reviews, and specs to various region DVDs. Each film will be linked to a separate post in this thread. So please bear with me with this work in progress.

Thank you,

Update

Additional movie posters were added to Dalkomhan Insaeng (A Bittersweet Life).

Post for Chinjeolhan Geum-ja ssi (Sympathy for Lady Vengeance) is up.

Post for Chin-gu (Friend) is up.



Here are the essential Korean cinema that span all genre for any fan of International cinema. I have broadly divided them into 2 categories (guy movies and girl movies if you will     ). They are in alphabetical order because it would be too hard to rank them. I love them all.

Action/Fantasy/Horror/Thriller/War


Beomjoe-ui Jaeguseong (The Big Swindle) - A fun crime thriller in the style of Ocean's Eleven or Usual Suspects (Park, Shin-yang and Yeom, Jeong-ah)

Boksuneun Na-ui geot (Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance) - First of revenge trilogy that blur the line between what's right and wrong (Song, Gang-ho, Shin, Ha-gyun and Bae, Du-na)

Chin-gu (Friend) - Korean version of Once Upon a Time in America (Jang, Dong-geon and Yoo, Oh-seong)

Chinjeolhan Geum-ja ssi (Sympathy for Lady Vengeance) - Rarely has all three films of a trilogy been so outstanding (Lee, Yeong-ae and Choi, Min-sik)

Dalkomhan Insaeng (A Bittersweet Life) - My favorite Korean movie at the moment. Ultimate film noir with fantastic performance by Lee, Byeong-heon.

Gongdong gyeongbi Guyeok JSA (Joint Security Area) - Tale of friendship and murder between North and South Korean guards at the border (Lee, Byeong-heon, Song, Kang-ho, Shin, Ha-gyun and Lee, Yeong-ae)

Gong-gong-ui Jeok (Public Enemy) - Brutal crime thriller with dirty cop and dirtier, well to do, fund manager (Seol, Gyeong-gu and Lee, Seong-jae)

Gyoemul (Host) - A different kind of monster movie arising out of polluted Han river. Remake right was just picked up by Universal Pictures (Song, Gang-ho and Bae, Du-na)

Jang-hwa Hong-ryeon (A Tale of Two Sisters) - Best horror thriller I've seen (Yeom, Jeong-ah and Lim, Su-jeong)

Musa - Epic tale set in ancient China about a small band of Goryeo soldiers against an overwheming hoard of Mongolian army (Jung, Wu-seong, Ahn, Seong-gi, Zhang, Zi-yi and Yu, Rong-guang)

Muyeong-geom (Shadowless Sword) - Sword fantasy with beautiful fight choreography (Lee, Seo-jin, Yoon, So-ih and Shin, Hyeon-jun)

Oldboy - Second film in the revenge trilogy that won the GrandPrix award at the Canne Film Festival (Choi, Min-sik and Yoo Ji-tae)

Salin-ui Chu-eok (Memories of Murder) - Based on a true story of serial killer (Song, Gang-ho and Kim, Sang-gyeon)

Silmido - Based on a true story of criminals recruited to assasinate the leader of North Korea (Seol, Gyeong-gu and Ahn, Seong-gi)

Swiri (Shiri) - Korean action thriller that started the new wave of Korean films throughout the world (Hahn, Seok-gyu, Song, Gang-ho and film debut of Kim, Yun-jin (of Lost fame))

Taegeukgi Hwinalimyeo (AKA Taegeukgi, Brotherhood) - Korean War epic about brothers on opposite sides (Jang, Dong-geon and Won, Bin)

Welcome to Dongmakgol - Tale of peaceful villiage caught up in the middle of Korean War (Jung, Jae-yeong and Shin, Ha-gyun)




Comedy/Drama/Romance

Baram-ui Jeonseol (Dance with the Wind) - Light hearted comedy about a man obsessed with dance (Lee, Seong-jae and Park, Sol-mi)

Classic - A poignant love story spanning two generations (Sohn, Ye-jin and Jo, Seung-wu)

Failan - Only movie that has brought tears to my eyes in the last ten years (Choi, Min-sik and Cecilia Cheung)

Nae Meorisok-ui Jiwugye (A Moment to Remember) - Love story about a man and woman who slowly loses her memory from early onset Alzheimer's disease (Jung, Wu-seong and Sohn, Ye-jin)

Oasis - Tale of forbidden love between a common street thug and girl with cerebral palsy (Moon, so-ri and Seol, gyeong-gu)

Palweol-ui Christmas (Christmas in August) - A classic Korean love story of unfulfilled love (Hahn, Seok-gyu and Shim, Eun-ha)

Seopyeonje - Im, Gwon-taek classic story of Korean folk singer and their struggle in the early 20th century

Wang-ui Namja (King and the Clown) - Partially based on a true story of brutal king and his obsession with a common court jestor (Kam, Wu-seong, Jung, Jin-yeong, and Lee, Jun-gi)

Yeopgijeok-in Geu-nyeo (My Sassy Girl) - Fun love comedy based on an internet story with a cult following around the world (Cha, Tae-hyeon and Jeon, Ji-hyeon)

Boksuneun Na-ui geot (Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance)
First movie in Park, Chan-wuk's Revenge Trilogy

Year:  2002
Genre:  Drama/Thriller
Running Time: 120 minutes
Rating: 18
 
Director:  Park, Chan-wuk
Producer: 

Production: Studio Box
Distribution: CJ Entertainment

Cast: Song Gang-ho, Shin Ha-gyun, Bae Du-na, Hahn Bo-bae, Lee, Dae-yeon, Ghi Ju-bong, Kim Se-dong, Lee Yun-mi, Ryu Seung-beom, Ji Dae-han



Awards:

Best Cinematography - Kim, Byeong-il (2002 Korean Film Awards)
Best Film Editing - Kim, Sang-beom (2002 Korean Film Awards)
Best Lighting - Park, Hyeon-Won (2002 Korean Film Awards)
Best Asian Film (2003 Fant-Asia Film Festival)
Jury Award - Best Feature Film (2003 Philadelphia Film Festival)

Synopsis:

Dead 6 year old girl...no one killed her, but everyone must die!!!  There are two types of kidnapping in the world, bad kind and good kind...

Ryu tries to donate one of his kidneys to his sick sister, only to receive the word that he is not an appropriate match for her. On top of this, he is fired from his factory for missing work to care for his sister. Searching for a matching donor, he gets mixed up with black market organ dealer, who steals his kidney and his severence pay. He gets a call from the hospital saying that they have a match for his sister, but he needs to come up with the money. Ryu's girlfriend, Yeong-mi, suggests kidnapping a rich man's child, saying, "kidnapping for a good cause is not a crime..."

Dong-jin is a self-made man who started from the bottom as a technician. Unfortunately, his wife divorces him for not being attentive enough to his family life. The only thing he has left is his daughter Yu-seon. One day, Yu-seon is kidnapped. A picture of her with her doll is delivered to him. After deep thought, he decides not to call the police and prepares the ransom. Ryu's sister, finding out about the kidnapping, commits suicide and Yu-seon is found drowned. With his daughter dead, Dong-jin begins the hunt to avenge her death while Ryu prepares a vengeance on the organ dealer.

Trailer

Outside Reviews:

Korean Movie Data Base Summary (in Korean)
Love HKFilm Review
Koreanfilm.org Review by Darcy Piquet
Kung-Fu Cult Cinema Review


DVD Editions:

Based on all the information I have, it seems that the best version to get with English subtitles is the R1 USA Tartan (NTSC)

This movie can be also obtained as part of Trilogy Box Set as outlined in this post.

DVDBeaver Comparison of R3 Korean, R2 French, and R0 UK DVD versions

R3 Korean 2-Disc Special Edition (NTSC)

UPC:  8-809050-900610
Released: August 6, 2002
Publisher: CJ Entertainment
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.25:1
Audio: DTS 5.1/DD 5.1 and DD 2.0 Korean
Subtitles: Korean, English
The film in this DVD is not progressively encoded and suffers from combing artifact when your progressive display is set to film mode (3:2 pulldown)
Special Features:
- Director's Commentary
- Making Film
- Interview with Cast and Crew
- Still Gallery
- Art Gallery
- Trailers
- Production Note

R1 USA (NTSC)

UPC:  842498-030127
Released: November 22, 2005
Publisher: Tartan Video
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: DTS 5.1/DD 5.1 and DD 2.0 Korean
Subtitles: English, Spanish
Special Features:
- Director's Commentary
- Behind the Scenes
- Trailer
- Photo Gallery

R2 Japan Deluxe Edition (NTSC)

UPC: 
Released: July 22, 2005
Publisher: Geneon
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: DD 5.1 Korean and Japanese
Subtitles: Japanese

R3 Hong Kong (NTSC)

UPC: 
Released: July 14, 2003
Publisher: Edko
Video: Letterbox
Audio: DD 2.0 Korean
Subtitles: English and Chinese

R2 France 2 Disc Edition Collector Limitée (PAL)

UPC: 
Released: June 9, 2004
Publisher: HK Vidéo
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: DTS 5.1/DD 5.1 in Korean and French
Subtitles: Forced French (in Korean audio)
4% PAL Speedup
Special Features:
- Director's Commentary
- Behind the Scenes
- Making Film
- Interview with Cast and Crew
- Trailer
- Photo Gallery

R0 UK 1 Disc Collector's Edition (PAL)

UPC:  5-023965-354426
Released: February 28, 2005
Publisher: Tartan Asia Extreme
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.21:1
Audio: DTS ES 6.1/DD 5.1 and DD 2.0 in Korean
Subtitles: English
No PAL Speedup (NTSC to PAL transfer)
UK Tartan release is an interlaced NTSC->PAL transfer, very bad. (Peter von Frosta)
Special Features:
- Director's Commentary
- Behind the Scenes
- Trailer

R2 Germany 1 Disc (PAL)

UPC: 
Released:  May 30, 2005
Publisher: Splendid Entertainment
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: DD 5.1 in Korean and German
Subtitles: German
No PAL Speedup (NTSC to PAL transfer)
Special Features:
- Director's Commentary
- Behind the Scenes
- Trailer

R2 Italy 1 Disc (PAL)

UPC: 
Released: 
Publisher: Medusa Home Entertainment
Video: Anamorphic 1.85:1
Audio: DD 2.0 in Korean and DD 5.1/2.0 in Italian
Subtitles: Italian
No PAL Speedup (NTSC to PAL transfer)
Special Features:
- Director's Commentary
- Behind the Scenes
- Trailer

R2 Netherland 1 Disc (PAL)

UPC: 
Released:  November 30, 2004
Publisher: Asiamania
Video: Letterbox
Audio: DD 2.0 in Korean
Subtitles: Nederlands
No PAL Speedup (NTSC to PAL transfer)
Special Features:
- Behind the Scenes
- Trailer

Chinjeolhan Geum-ja ssi (Sympathy for Lady Vengeance)
Third movie in Park, Chan-wuk's Revenge Trilogy

Year:  2005
Genre:  Drama/Thriller
Running Time: 112 minutes
Rating: 18
 
Director:  Park, Chan-wuk
Producer: 

Production: Moho Film
Distribution: CJ Entertainment

Cast: Lee Yeong-ae, Choi Min-sik, Gwon Ye-yeong, Kim Si-hu, Nam Il-wu, Kim Byeong-ok, Oh Dal-su, Lee Seung-sin, Kim Bu-seon, Ra Mi-ran




Awards:

Best Picture (2005 Blue Dragon)
Best Actress - Lee, Yeong-ae (2005 Blue Dragon, 2005 Sitges Film Festival)
Little Golden Lion Award (2005 Venice Film Festival)

Synopsis:

This is the story of LEE Geum-ja, a beautiful and deadly young woman, half angel and half devil, as serene as she is furious. After going through a hard time, Geum-ja found herself sentenced to 13 years in prison for murder she did not commit. After being released from prison, she is on a mission of vengeance. Geum-ja sets about putting her precise plan in motion ...

Trailer

Outside Reviews:

Korean Movie Data Base Summary (in Korean)
HanCinema Korean Movie Database Summary (in English)
Love HKFilm Review
Koreanfilm.org Review by Kim Kyu-hyun
Kung-Fu Cult Cinema Review


DVD Editions:

Based on all the information I have, it seems that the best version to get with English subtitles is the R3 Korean or R1 USA DVD (NTSC)

This movie can be also obtained as part of Trilogy Box Set as outlined in this post.

DVDActive Comparison of R3 Korean and R3 HK DVD versions
DVDBeaver Comparison between R3 Korean Color version and Fade to B/W version

R3 Korean 2-Disc Special Edition (NTSC)

UPC:    8-809086-115729
Released: December 29, 2005
Publisher: CJ Entertainment
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.25:1
Audio: DTS 5.1/DD 5.1 Korean
Subtitles: Korean, English
Special Features:
- Director's Fade to B/W Version
- Director's Commentary
- Making Film
- Venice 2005 footage
- Deleted Scenes
- Still Gallery
- Art Gallery
- Trailers
- Production Note

R1 USA (NTSC)

UPC: 
Released: September 26, 2006
Publisher: Tartan Video
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: DTS 5.1/DD 5.1 Korean
Subtitles: English, Spanish
Special Features:
- Director's Commentary
- Making of
- Trailer
- Director Interview

R2 Japan 2-Disc Premium Edition (NTSC)

UPC: 
Released: March 24, 2006
Publisher: Geneon
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: DD 5.1/DTS 5.1 Korean and DD 5.1 Japanese
Subtitles: Japanese
Special Features:
- Director's Commentary
- Making Film
- Venice 2005 footage
- Deleted Scenes
- Still Gallery
- Art Gallery
- Trailers
- Production Note

R3 Hong Kong 2-Disc Special Edition (NTSC)

UPC: 
Released: May 5, 2006
Publisher: Panorama
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: DD 5.1/DTS ES 6.1 Korean
Subtitles: English and Chinese
Special Features:
- Director's Commentary
- Commercials
- Director's Filmography
- Interviews with Staffs
- NG Cuts
- Behind the scenes

R3 Hong Kong Regular Edition (NTSC)

UPC: 
Released: December 22, 2005
Publisher: Panorama
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: DD 5.1/DTS ES 6.1 Korean
Subtitles: English and Chinese
Special Features:
- Behind the Scenes
- Trailers

R0 UK (PAL)

UPC: 
Released: May 8, 2006
Publisher: Tartan
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: DD 5.1 and 2.0/DTS 5.1 Korean
Subtitles: English
4% PAL Speedup
Special Features:
- Director Interview
- Trailer

R2 France 3 Disc Edition Collector Limitée (PAL)


UPC: 
Released: June 8, 2006
Publisher: HK Video
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: DTS 5.1 French, DD 5.1/DTS 5.1 Korean
Subtitles:  French
4% PAL Speedup
Special Features:
- Director's Fade to B/W Version
- Director's Commentary
- Making Film
- Venice 2005 footage
- Deleted Scenes
- Still Gallery
- Art Gallery
- Trailers
- Production Note

R2 Scandinavian (PAL)

UPC: 
Released: 
Publisher: SME
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: DD 5.1/DTS 5.1 Korean
Subtitles: Danish, Norwegian, Finland, Swedish
Special Features:
- Alternative Scenes
- Trailer

R4 Australian (PAL)

UPC: 
Released: December 6, 2006
Publisher: Madman Entertainment
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: DD 5.1/DTS 5.1 Korean
Subtitles: English
Special Features:
- Director's Commentary
- Making of
- Galleries
- Director Interview

Reserved for Gongdong gyeongbi Guyeok JSA (Joint Security Area)

Reserved for Gyoemul (Host)

Reserved for Musa

Reserved for Oldboy

Reserved for Silmido