Park Chan-wook

Directing

Park Chan-wook

Born 1963-08-23 · Seoul, South Korea

Park Chan-wook (Korean: 박찬욱; pronounced [pak̚tɕʰanuk̚]; born 23 August 1963) is a South Korean filmmaker and former film critic. Widely regarded as a leading figure in South Korean and 21st-century world cinema, he is known for films that blend crime, mystery, and thriller elements with other genres. His films are noted for their cinematography, framing, black humour, and often brutal subject matter. After two unsuccessful films in the 1990s, which he has since largely disowned, Park came to prominence with his acclaimed third directorial effort, Joint Security Area (2000), which became the highest-grossing film in South Korean history at the time and which Park himself prefers to be regarded as his directorial debut. Using his newfound creative freedom, he would go on to direct the films forming his unofficial The Vengeance Trilogy: Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002), a financial failure that polarised critics, followed by Oldboy (2003) and Lady Vengeance (2005), both of which received critical acclaim and were financially successful. Oldboy in particular is regarded as one of the greatest films ever made, and helped establish Park as a well-known director outside his native country. Most of Park's work following The Vengeance Trilogy was also commercially and critically successful both in South Korea and internationally, such as Thirst (2009), The Handmaiden (2016), which earned Park the BAFTA Award for Best Film Not in the English Language, and Decision to Leave (2022), which won the Best Director award at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival. He directed the English-language miniseries The Little Drummer Girl (2018) and The Sympathizer (2024). His 2025 film No Other Choice was nominated for the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film and shortlisted for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film. Description above from the Wikipedia article Park Chan-wook, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Acting credits

Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance poster
7.5

A deaf man and his girlfriend resort to desperate measures in order to fund a kidney transplant for his sister. Things go horribly wrong, and the situation spirals rapidly into a cycle of violence and revenge.

Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance

2002

Mr. Kim Goes to the Cinema poster
10.0

After the COVID-19 pandemic, Busan International Film Festival founder Kim Dong-ho, at eighty-five, picks up a camcorder for the first time and decides to make a documentary. His lens turns toward cinemas struggling through the crisis, as beloved theaters vanish amid dwindling audiences. Seeking to reconnect with old friends, "Mr. Kim" — now nearing ninety — travels the world to talk with filmmakers and cinephiles. Through these encounters, he reflects on cinema’s past and future, finding wisdom and resilience in a time of transformation. His journey becomes a meditation on change, memory, and the enduring spirit of film.

Mr. Kim Goes to the Cinema

2026

Plankton Salesmen poster
NR

A nostalgic look at the birth and death of arthouse film distribution in Russia in the early 2000s. The story of the company Cinema Without Borders and its two founders, Sam Klebanov and Anton Mazurov.

Plankton Salesmen

2017

Snowpiercer: Transperceneige, From the Blank Page to the Black Screen poster
5.0

Documentary on the making of the film.

Snowpiercer: Transperceneige, From the Blank Page to the Black Screen

2014

No artwork available
NR

An in-depth documentary into the life of renowned Italian composer Nino Rota, who wrote the score for 16 films directed by Federico Fellini, including “La Strada,” “8 1/2,” “Juliet of the Spirits” and “Amarcord,” besides “La Dolce Vita.” He also composed music for Franco Zeffirelli’s “Romeo and Juliet” and the Sicilian-inspired theme for “The Godfather,” whose “Part II” score won him his only Oscar. Rota’s 150 films also included collaborations with King Vidor (“War and Peace”) and Luchino Visconti (“The Leopard”). Rota died at 68 in 1979.

Nino – A Film About Nino Rota

2026

Kultur-King Korea poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Kultur-King Korea

2022

Mascara poster
NR

Buzz Salon which is run by Cho is known for its mysterious ambience. Gi-hyuk, one of Cho's best customers, falls for Hae-joo, a hostess at Buzz. Cho uses Hae-joo to kill gangsters who harass him with money he owes them. When Gi-hyuk discovers that Hae-joo is biologically male, he feels betrayed and becomes disillusioned. He leaves her for good. Hae-joo is able to get her transgender operation in return for the assassinations and goes in search of Gi-hyuk. She returns to Gi-hyuk, as a new person, calling herself Yoo-jung. She also begins to take revenge on the thugs who abused her in the past.

Mascara

1995

Ari Ari the Korean Cinema poster
5.5

Director Chung Ji-Young criticizes the thought that older directors have difficulties in making certain movies. Actress Yoon Jin-Seo agonizes over her identity as an actress. In 2009, before the movie "Unbowed" was made, they met and planned a documentary about Korean movies, including the processes a Korean movie goes through and difficulites. "Ari Ari the Korean Cinema" is a documentary with interviews of Korean directors, actors and actresses.

Ari Ari the Korean Cinema

2012

Crush and Blush poster
6.3

After being demoted from teaching Russian to middle-school English students, Me-sook is literally red-faced with shame, because on top of all her other issues — unrequited love, unpopularity — Me-sook has a blushing problem.

Crush and Blush

2008

Through Korean Cinema poster
NR

Discover the roots of Korean cinema. A cinema who surprised by the success recorded in the major international festivals. Interviews to five famous Korean directors, to get to know closely the evolution of Korean cinema. Through their words, their pictures and their stories. The Korean cinema has tendency to describe both the society, the past and the modern. The world of west cinema knows these directors through the journey of some of their movies. What do we know about their thoughts, their life, their culture and their way of working? The documentary focus on it.

Through Korean Cinema

2010

No artwork available
6.0

South Korean cinema is in the throes of a creative explosion where mavericks are encouraged and masters are venerated. But from where has this phenomenon emerged? What is the culture that has yielded this range of filmmakers? With The Nine Lives of Korean Cinema, French critic, writer and documentarian Hubert Niogret provides a broad overview but, nevertheless, an excellent entry point into this unique type of national cinema that still remains a mystery for many people. The product of a troubled social and political history, Korean cinema sports an identity that is unique in much modern film. Niogret's documentary tells of the country's cinematic history - the ups along with the downs - and gives further voice to the artists striving to express their concerns, fears and aspirations.

The Nine Lives of Korean Cinema

2005

I Haven’t Done Anything poster
6.0

Oh Tae-kyung, once an up-and-coming actor, starts a YouTube channel. He starts to produce content where he grants people's wishes, borrowing a concept from the movie “Oldboy”.

I Haven’t Done Anything

2023

Making of The Handmaiden poster
10.0

Behind the scenes

Making of The Handmaiden

2016

Old Days poster
6.6

Old Days is a documentary about Park Chan-wook's original masterpiece, Oldboy. It was created for Plain Archive's Blu-ray release and first screened at the Jeonju International Film Festival.

Old Days

2016

The Making of Lady Vengeance poster
NR

An EPK that offers a brief look at the making of the film that is busy with behind-the-scenes footage, including some amusingly light-heated moments such as Choi Min-sik fluffing his lines and crew members with bananas stuffed in their mouths to stop them laughing. A cheerless voice-over passes up no opportunity to compliment the fortitude, bravery and skill of the cast and crew.

The Making of Lady Vengeance

2005

Making of Thirst poster
7.0

90 minute making of doc

Making of Thirst

2010

The Process of Mr. Vengeance poster
NR

This making-of is made up of a series of short vignettes, starting with a piece on Shin Ha-Kyun and Bae Du-Na learning sign language for their roles, followed by some on-set interviews with Song Kang-Ho, Shin, and Bae. One of the noteworthy takeaways from these clips is the oddly frequent laughter on the set, especially while shooting some particularly wrenching scenes. Next are a few pieces on the prosthetic effects used for some of the stabbings, etc. It wraps up with Park Chan-Wook discussing the casting process for some of the smaller roles and footage of Park's friend Ryu Seung-Wan helping to choreograph a scene on set.

The Process of Mr. Vengeance

2005

Autobiography of Oldboy poster
NR

3 and a half hour making of documentary on Oldboy, covering nearly every scene

Autobiography of Oldboy

2004

Two Or Three Things I Know About Kim Ki-young poster
NR

A documentary consisting of twenty-two Korean directors' interviews about Kim Ki-young and respect for his work and the influence

Two Or Three Things I Know About Kim Ki-young

2007

Katanas, yakuzas y cintas de video poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Katanas, yakuzas y cintas de video

2004

Müdigkeitsgesellschaft: Byung-Chul Han in Seoul/Berlin poster
5.0

The essay film about the German philosopher Byung-Chul Han encircles the phenomenon of fatigue in our capitalistic societies and its associated symptoms such as depression and burnout. It raises the question of how we want to live today, and what we can oppose to the pressure of an achievement-oriented digital society.

Müdigkeitsgesellschaft: Byung-Chul Han in Seoul/Berlin

2015

Cérémonie de palmarès du 79e Festival de Cannes poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Cérémonie de palmarès du 79e Festival de Cannes

2026

Han Kang Chronicles: A Tale of Seven Lives poster
10.0

Author Han Kang mourns everything that fades and perishes in the world, including her sister, who died just two hours after birth. Her mourning transcends writing; she composes music, sings, and even holds rituals for the dead at times. This documentary spotlights Han Kang as a unique artist who communicates with the world through diverse forms like art, music, and documentary. "Han Kang Chronicles: A Tale of Seven Lives" sensuously captures her literary world through dance and theater.

Han Kang Chronicles: A Tale of Seven Lives

2025

Behind the camera

The Handmaiden poster
8.2

1930s Korea, in the period of Japanese occupation, a new girl, Sook-hee, is hired as a handmaiden to a Japanese heiress, Hideko, who lives a secluded life on a large countryside estate with her domineering Uncle Kouzuki. But the maid has a secret. She is a pickpocket recruited by a swindler posing as a Japanese Count to help him seduce the Lady to steal her fortune.

The Handmaiden

2016

The Handmaiden poster
8.2

1930s Korea, in the period of Japanese occupation, a new girl, Sook-hee, is hired as a handmaiden to a Japanese heiress, Hideko, who lives a secluded life on a large countryside estate with her domineering Uncle Kouzuki. But the maid has a secret. She is a pickpocket recruited by a swindler posing as a Japanese Count to help him seduce the Lady to steal her fortune.

The Handmaiden

2016

Oldboy poster
8.2

With no clue how he came to be imprisoned, drugged and tortured for 15 years, a desperate man seeks revenge on his captors.

Oldboy

2003

Oldboy poster
8.2

With no clue how he came to be imprisoned, drugged and tortured for 15 years, a desperate man seeks revenge on his captors.

Oldboy

2003

No Other Choice poster
7.5

After being laid off and humiliated by a ruthless job market, a veteran paper mill manager descends into violence in a desperate bid to reclaim his dignity.

No Other Choice

2025

No Other Choice poster
7.5

After being laid off and humiliated by a ruthless job market, a veteran paper mill manager descends into violence in a desperate bid to reclaim his dignity.

No Other Choice

2025

No Other Choice poster
7.5

After being laid off and humiliated by a ruthless job market, a veteran paper mill manager descends into violence in a desperate bid to reclaim his dignity.

No Other Choice

2025

Decision to Leave poster
7.3

From a mountain peak in South Korea, a man plummets to his death. Did he jump, or was he pushed? When detective Hae-joon arrives on the scene, he begins to suspect the dead man’s wife Seo-rae. But as he digs deeper into the investigation, he finds himself trapped in a web of deception and desire.

Decision to Leave

2022

Decision to Leave poster
7.3

From a mountain peak in South Korea, a man plummets to his death. Did he jump, or was he pushed? When detective Hae-joon arrives on the scene, he begins to suspect the dead man’s wife Seo-rae. But as he digs deeper into the investigation, he finds himself trapped in a web of deception and desire.

Decision to Leave

2022

Decision to Leave poster
7.3

From a mountain peak in South Korea, a man plummets to his death. Did he jump, or was he pushed? When detective Hae-joon arrives on the scene, he begins to suspect the dead man’s wife Seo-rae. But as he digs deeper into the investigation, he finds himself trapped in a web of deception and desire.

Decision to Leave

2022

Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance poster
7.5

A deaf man and his girlfriend resort to desperate measures in order to fund a kidney transplant for his sister. Things go horribly wrong, and the situation spirals rapidly into a cycle of violence and revenge.

Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance

2002

Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance poster
7.5

A deaf man and his girlfriend resort to desperate measures in order to fund a kidney transplant for his sister. Things go horribly wrong, and the situation spirals rapidly into a cycle of violence and revenge.

Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance

2002

Stoker poster
6.6

Following her father Richard's death in an unexplained road accident, reclusive teenager India Stoker withdraws further into the quiet rural life she shares with her emotionally disturbed mother Evie. But her curiosity is stirred when her mysterious uncle Charlie, who she has never met, suddenly arrives unannounced. Told that the darkly charismatic Charlie will now be staying at the house, India's initial well-founded distrust of her uncle's motivations begins to waver as she finds herself becoming ever more deeply entranced by his sinister charms.

Stoker

2013

Joint Security Area poster
7.8

Two North Korean soldiers are killed in the border area between North and South Korea, prompting an investigation by a neutral body. The sergeant is the shooter, but the lead investigator, a Swiss-Korean woman, receives differing accounts from the two sides.

Joint Security Area

2000

Joint Security Area poster
7.8

Two North Korean soldiers are killed in the border area between North and South Korea, prompting an investigation by a neutral body. The sergeant is the shooter, but the lead investigator, a Swiss-Korean woman, receives differing accounts from the two sides.

Joint Security Area

2000

Lady Vengeance poster
7.5

Released after being wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for 13 years, a woman begins executing her elaborate plan of retribution.

Lady Vengeance

2005

Lady Vengeance poster
7.5

Released after being wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for 13 years, a woman begins executing her elaborate plan of retribution.

Lady Vengeance

2005

Thirst poster
7.1

A respected priest volunteers for an experimental procedure that may lead to a cure for a deadly virus. He gets infected and dies, but a blood transfusion of unknown origin brings him back to life. Now, he’s torn between faith and bloodlust, and has a newfound desire for the wife of a childhood friend.

Thirst

2009

Thirst poster
7.1

A respected priest volunteers for an experimental procedure that may lead to a cure for a deadly virus. He gets infected and dies, but a blood transfusion of unknown origin brings him back to life. Now, he’s torn between faith and bloodlust, and has a newfound desire for the wife of a childhood friend.

Thirst

2009

Thirst poster
7.1

A respected priest volunteers for an experimental procedure that may lead to a cure for a deadly virus. He gets infected and dies, but a blood transfusion of unknown origin brings him back to life. Now, he’s torn between faith and bloodlust, and has a newfound desire for the wife of a childhood friend.

Thirst

2009

Uprising poster
7.0

In the Joseon Dynasty, two friends who grew up together — one the master and one the servant — reunite post-war as enemies on opposing sides.

Uprising

2024

Three... Extremes poster
6.8

Features an anthology centred on the experiences of a witch doctor, a film-maker and a disgruntled extra determined to take revenge on him, and a novelist as well as her twin sister.

Three... Extremes

2004

Three... Extremes poster
6.8

Features an anthology centred on the experiences of a witch doctor, a film-maker and a disgruntled extra determined to take revenge on him, and a novelist as well as her twin sister.

Three... Extremes

2004

60 Seconds of Solitude in Year Zero poster
4.2

An anthology of one-minute films created by 51 international filmmakers on the theme of the death of cinema. Intended as an ode to 35mm, the film was screened one time only on a purpose-built 20x12 meter public cinema screen in the Port of Tallinn, Estonia, on 22 December 2011. A special projector was constructed for the event which allowed the actual filmstrip to be burnt at the same time as the film was shown.

60 Seconds of Solitude in Year Zero

2011