In the year 2003, The top 3 Korean cinematic masterpieces captivated audiences and left an indelible mark on the world of film. “Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring” took viewers on a mesmerizing journey through the seasons, exploring the profound spiritual awakening of a young Buddhist monk against the backdrop of a tranquil floating temple. Simultaneously, “A Tale of Two Sisters” immersed audiences in a haunting and suspenseful tale, weaving a complex web of psychological intrigue and familial secrets. And then, “Oldboy” burst onto the scene with its relentless and gripping narrative, as a man seeks revenge after being inexplicably imprisoned for years.
These three remarkable films, all released in the same year, showcased the incredible depth and diversity of Korean cinema, ranging from introspective and spiritual to suspenseful and intense. With their distinctive storytelling and cinematic brilliance, “Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring,” “A Tale of Two Sisters,” and “Oldboy” solidified their places as unforgettable gems in the realm of international cinema.
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring (2003)
Why do you have to see it?
Tranquil beauty meets a lingering sense of doom in this stunning study of human nature and the consequences of our actions. The film’s narrative is about monks, but the life lessons and festering emotions are universal. Moderate but profound, a film as impressive as its location at Jusanji Pond.
And what is it about?
Two monks live in an isolated monastery. Under the watchful eye of the oldest, the youngest sees the seasons of life pass by. Spring: A monk boy laughs at a frog trying to get rid of a stone on his back. Summer: A teenage monk knows love. Autumn: A thirty-year-old monk tries to do something that goes against his nature. Winter: the monk is close to old age and someone comes to the monastery. Spring: the old monk converses with nature; near him plays a monk boy.
A Tale of Two Sisters (2003)
Why do you have to see it?
It conquered the Korean box office at the time (even though it was a horror movie!) with the update of a scary folktale, but the Kim Jee-woon movie (the only one we’ve allowed to repeat on the list, impossible to choose) was also a dark, unique and suffocating vision of mourning and grief. Come on, what would be a ‘Hereditary’ (Ari Aster) fourteen years earlier?
And what is it about?
Two sisters arrive at the new house that their widowed father shares with his new wife. The increasing cruelty of the stepmother, together with the appearance of the ghost of the young women’s mother, will create a disturbing atmosphere.
Oldboy (2003)
Why do you have to see it?
This is a “just in case”. You will know her, or you will have seen the American remake with Josh Brolin. This twisted revenge story is packed with stylized action and delivers a twist of ultraviolence that will take your breath away. Oldboy is one of the pinnacles of modern Korean cinema. Boosting the worldwide recognition of Korean cinema after its triumph at Cannes (Grand Jury Prize).
And what is it about?
Oh Dae-Su (Choi Min-Sik) wakes up in a hotel room that will haunt him for the next 15 years. Upon being released, he will embark on his path of revenge to find his captors.
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