Korean Peninsula Challenge - Official; November 2019

[Traveller]

17. The South Korean Army (1990) - 6/10
A decent war flick, though I thought it went on a bit too long.
18. Repatriation (2003) - 7/10
I liked this documentary; however, here too, a shorter runtime would have benefited the movie.

Also cheers for the stats, sol.

[72aicm]

9. Seopyeonje / Sopyonje (1993)
10. Byeoldeului gohyang / The Stars Heavenly Home (1974)

Spoiler

1. Gipgo puleun bam / The Deep Blue Night (1985)
2. Bam gua nat / Night and Day (2008)
3. Mandala (1981)
4. Hyuil / A Day Off (1968)
5. Gaetmaeul / Seashore Village (1965)
6. Baramnan gajok / A Good Lawyer's Wife (2003)
7. Mimong / Sweet Dream (1936)
8. Ggotip / A Petal (1996)
9. Seopyeonje / Sopyonje (1993)
10. Byeoldeului gohyang / The Stars Heavenly Home (1974)

[AB537]

2. Ak-Nyeo - The Villainness (Jung Byung-gil, 2017) 6.5/10

[sol]

Also cheers for the stats, sol.

No problem. I can't promise that I will have enough spare time and energy to release Week 2, 3 and 4 stats also, but I will try.

[jeroeno]

22. On.the Occasion of Remembering the Turning Gate (2002)
23. Seom - The Isle (2000)

[Traveller]

Also cheers for the stats, sol.

No problem. I can't promise that I will have enough spare time and energy to release Week 2, 3 and 4 stats also, but I will try.

No pressure.

19. The Road to Race Track (1991) - 7/10

[Traveller]

20. The King and the Clown (2005) - 7/10
21. Don (1958) - 5/10

[ororama]

4. Swiri (1999) * 125 min. (South Korea)

Well-made spy thriller (my son aptly compared it to a Michael Bay movie), good performances but a bit cold, and oddly seems to portray the North Korean spies as super-villains and the South Korean military and intelligence as rather incompetent.

Spoiler

1. Gisaengchung/ Parasite (2019) * 132 min. (South Korea)
2. Piano: Episode #1.9 (2001) 63 min. (South Korea)
3. Piano: Episode #1.10 (2001) 64 min. (South Korea)

*First time viewing

[sol]

Gangnam Style

1. Ta-weo / The Tower (2012) South Korea
2. A Tale of Two Sisters (2003) South Korea
3. Memories of Murder (2003) South Korea
4. The Insect Woman (1972) South Korea
5. The Terror, Live (2013) South Korea

6. The Housemaid (1960) South Korea



This thriller is slow to warm up but once it gets going though, it rarely lets up and the second half is especially strong as things becoming increasingly twisted as power dynamics shift and the housemaid ends up manipulating and controlling her employees and their children (who never gave her a proper chance). The film is also exquisitely photographed, with shots through glasses of water and much mobile camerawork. Silly final minute though.

[jeroeno]

24. Golae Sanyang / Whale Hunting (1984)
25. Farewell to the Duman River (1962)

[Traveller]

22. Under Heaven in Seoul (1961) - 6/10
23. Mist (1967) - 7/10

[vortexsurfer]

2. Bi-mong/Dream (Ki-duk Kim, 2008)

Spoiler

1. Ag-o/Crocodile (Ki-duk Kim, 1996)
2. Bi-mong/Dream (Ki-duk Kim, 2008)

[sol]

Gangnam Style

1. Ta-weo / The Tower (2012) South Korea
2. A Tale of Two Sisters (2003) South Korea
3. Memories of Murder (2003) South Korea
4. The Insect Woman (1972) South Korea
5. The Terror, Live (2013) South Korea
6. The Housemaid (1960) South Korea

7. Fire Woman. (1971) South Korea



Essentially a remake of The Housemaid, this version is updated to the '70s and vibrantly shot in colour, but it is a mixed bag overall. The housemaid is innocent and raped this time (compared to the seductress of the original), which makes her character less ambiguous and mysterious but also more intriguing with the way she gradually changes. The remake is mostly let down by a superfluous murder subplot though and too much verbatim dialogue.

[flavo5000]

2. Dalkomhan insaeng (2005)

Spoiler

1. Heukryong wanggwa biho dongja (1982)
2. Dalkomhan insaeng (2005)

[Traveller]

24. Our Twisted Hero (1992) - 7/10
25. Mulberry (1986) - 7/10

[Knaldskalle]

9. The Ball shot by a Midget (Won-se Lee, 1981). Couldn't get into this at all. Family drama about poverty and bad decisions all centered around the family patriarch who's a person of short stature.

10. Public Enemy (Woo-suk Kang, 2002). This has some elements of what caused the resurgence of Korean cinema in the early 21st Century, but is also hampered by some stupid slapstick elements that feel very out of place with the rest of the movie. This is one of those "this could've been great" movies.

Spoiler

1. Crossroads of Youth (aka. Turning Point of Youngsters) (Jong-hwa Ahn, 1934) BONUS CHALLENGE #1
2. Pursuit of Death (Kwon-taek Im, 1980)
3. Homeless Angels (aka. Angels of the Street) (In-kyu Cho'e, 1941) BONUS CHALLENGE #1
4. Burying Old Alive (Ki-young Kim, 1963)
5. Fisherman's Fire (Shimazu & Ahn, 1938) BONUS CHALLENGE #1
6. The DMZ (Sang-ho Park, 1965)
7. Black Hair (Lee Man-Hee, 1964)
8. Mandala (Kwon-taek Im, 1981)
9. The Ball shot by a Midget (Won-se Lee, 1981)
10. Public Enemy (Woo-suk Kang, 2002)

[Knaldskalle]

11. Spinning the Tales of Cruelty Towards Women (Doo-yong Lee, 1984). Title pretty much says it all. Was a bit of a tough movie to watch, given its unrelenting demonstration of misogyny by everyone (men and women alike).

Spoiler

1. Crossroads of Youth (aka. Turning Point of Youngsters) (Jong-hwa Ahn, 1934) BONUS CHALLENGE #1
2. Pursuit of Death (Kwon-taek Im, 1980)
3. Homeless Angels (aka. Angels of the Street) (In-kyu Cho'e, 1941) BONUS CHALLENGE #1
4. Burying Old Alive (Ki-young Kim, 1963)
5. Fisherman's Fire (Shimazu & Ahn, 1938) BONUS CHALLENGE #1
6. The DMZ (Sang-ho Park, 1965)
7. Black Hair (Lee Man-Hee, 1964)
8. Mandala (Kwon-taek Im, 1981)
9. The Ball shot by a Midget (Won-se Lee, 1981)
10. Public Enemy (Woo-suk Kang, 2002)
11. Spinning the Tales of Cruelty Towards Women (Doo-yong Lee, 1984).

[72aicm]

11. Ggobangdongne saramdeul / People of the Slum (1982)
12. Gilsoddeum / Gilsodom (1986)

Spoiler

1. Gipgo puleun bam / The Deep Blue Night (1985)
2. Bam gua nat / Night and Day (2008)
3. Mandala (1981)
4. Hyuil / A Day Off (1968)
5. Gaetmaeul / Seashore Village (1965)
6. Baramnan gajok / A Good Lawyer's Wife (2003)
7. Mimong / Sweet Dream (1936)
8. Ggotip / A Petal (1996)
9. Seopyeonje / Sopyonje (1993)
10. Byeoldeului gohyang / The Stars Heavenly Home (1974)
11. Ggobangdongne saramdeul / People of the Slum (1982)
12. Gilsoddeum / Gilsodom (1986)

[jeroeno]

26. Jokbo (1979)
27. Failan (2001)

[sol]

Gangnam Style

1. Ta-weo / The Tower (2012) South Korea
2. A Tale of Two Sisters (2003) South Korea
3. Memories of Murder (2003) South Korea
4. The Insect Woman (1972) South Korea
5. The Terror, Live (2013) South Korea
6. The Housemaid (1960) South Korea
7. Fire Woman. (1971) South Korea

8. Sweet Dream (1936) Pre-50s Korea



This may be the oldest known Korean sound movie still in existence, but it is not especially well made. While there are occasional innovative shots (mirror reflections and unusually low camera angles), most of the scenes do not flow well on from each other and chunks feel like they are missing. The sound recording and mixing is also noticeably off and most of the performances feel stilted, especially the lover here with no real romantic chemistry.

[cinephage]

02. Seom, by Kim Ki-Duk (2000) 7,5/10

Quite cringing, yet also beautiful and extremely original. This is certainly an outstanding film...

Pictures of the morning calm (01)

01. Byeoldeului gohyang / The Stars Heavenly Home, by Lee Jang-Ho (1974) 7,5/10

[ororama]

5. Piano: Episode #1.11 (2001) 65 min. (South Korea)
6. Piano: Episode #1.12 (2001) 64 min. (South Korea)

Spoiler

1. Gisaengchung/ Parasite (2019) * 132 min. (South Korea)
2. Piano: Episode #1.9 (2001) 63 min. (South Korea)
3. Piano: Episode #1.10 (2001) 64 min. (South Korea)
4. Swiri (1999) * 125 min. (South Korea)

*First time viewing

[Lonewolf2003]

6. Sinsegye [New World] (2013, Hoon-jung Park): 6.5
7. Babo seoneon (1983, Jang-ho Lee): 6.2 - Kudos for telling it the story almost completely without dialogues. Too bad the story itself isn't particular funny or interesting.

Spoiler

1. Hwanghae [The Yellow Sea] (2010, Hong-jin Na): 7.2
2. Aknyeo [The Villainess] (2017, Byung-gil Jung): 7.2
3. Revenger (2019, Seung-Won Lee): 7.5 -
4. Inrang [Illang: The Wolf Brigade] (2018, Ji-woon Kim): 5.2
5. Nae yeojachingureul sogae habnida [Windstruck] (2004, Jae-young Kwak) (rewatch): 8.5 > 7.8

[Traveller]

26. The Barefooted Young (1964) - 6/10
27. Chunhyang (1961) - 6/10

[sol]

Gangnam Style

1. Ta-weo / The Tower (2012) South Korea
2. A Tale of Two Sisters (2003) South Korea
3. Memories of Murder (2003) South Korea
4. The Insect Woman (1972) South Korea
5. The Terror, Live (2013) South Korea
6. The Housemaid (1960) South Korea
7. Fire Woman. (1971) South Korea
8. Sweet Dream (1936) Pre-50s Korea

9. J.S.A.: Joint Security Area (2000) South Korea



Both soldiers from the North and South are portrayed as three dimensional human beings here. Kang-ho Song is especially riveting as North Korean who delights in South food but still insists his side is better. Much of the film is also dedicated to camaraderie rather hostility, highlighting subtle similarities between those from both countries. Their mischief (spitting; farting; hopping) felt overly childish to me, but great birds'-eye and LCA shots of the DMZ.

[Traveller]

28. The Insect Woman (1972) - 6/10
29. The Daughters of Kim's Pharmacy (1963) - 7/10

[blocho]

4. Pulgasari (1985, North Korea)
This was the first movie I've ever seen from North Korea. Also the first movie I've ever seen with a giant, horned, iron-eating lizard. Also the first movie I've seen for which the director was shanghaied into working on the movie. I think all these factors contributed a bit to the unintentional comedy.

[72aicm]

13. Bakha satang / Peppermint Candy (1999)
14. Saenghwalui balgyeon / On the Occasion of Remembering the Turning Gate (2002)
15. Sibaji / The Surrogate Woman (1987)

Spoiler

1. Gipgo puleun bam / The Deep Blue Night (1985)
2. Bam gua nat / Night and Day (2008)
3. Mandala (1981)
4. Hyuil / A Day Off (1968)
5. Gaetmaeul / Seashore Village (1965)
6. Baramnan gajok / A Good Lawyer's Wife (2003)
7. Mimong / Sweet Dream (1936)
8. Ggotip / A Petal (1996)
9. Seopyeonje / Sopyonje (1993)
10. Byeoldeului gohyang / The Stars Heavenly Home (1974)
11. Ggobangdongne saramdeul / People of the Slum (1982)
12. Gilsoddeum / Gilsodom (1986)
13. Bakha satang / Peppermint Candy (1999)
14. Saenghwalui balgyeon / On the Occasion of Remembering the Turning Gate (2002)
15. Sibaji / The Surrogate Woman (1987)

[Knaldskalle]

12. The Surrogate Woman (Kown-taek Im, 1987). Similar to the previous movie I watched, it's all about misogyny. The intro to the movie says it's set in "a time when the dead were treated better than the living." True that.

Spoiler

1. Crossroads of Youth (aka. Turning Point of Youngsters) (Jong-hwa Ahn, 1934) BONUS CHALLENGE #1
2. Pursuit of Death (Kwon-taek Im, 1980)
3. Homeless Angels (aka. Angels of the Street) (In-kyu Cho'e, 1941) BONUS CHALLENGE #1
4. Burying Old Alive (Ki-young Kim, 1963)
5. Fisherman's Fire (Shimazu & Ahn, 1938) BONUS CHALLENGE #1
6. The DMZ (Sang-ho Park, 1965)
7. Black Hair (Lee Man-Hee, 1964)
8. Mandala (Kwon-taek Im, 1981)
9. The Ball shot by a Midget (Won-se Lee, 1981)
10. Public Enemy (Woo-suk Kang, 2002)
11. Spinning the Tales of Cruelty Towards Women (Doo-yong Lee, 1984).
12. The Surrogate Woman (Kown-taek Im, 1987)

[mjf314]

Spoiler

1. Page Turner (2016) episode 1
2. Page Turner (2016) episode 2
3. Page Turner (2016) episode 3

4. Missing Noir M (2015) episode 1

It's a 10-episode detective drama. It's similar to Signal and Stranger but not as good. I don't think I'll finish it.

[Knaldskalle]

13. Lovers in Woomuk-Baemi (aka. A Short Love Affair) (Sun-woo Jang, 1990). A little bit all over the place. Part serious drama about infidelity, part slapstick comedy, part romance, this didn't really work for me. I think something may have been lost in translation...?

Spoiler

1. Crossroads of Youth (aka. Turning Point of Youngsters) (Jong-hwa Ahn, 1934) BONUS CHALLENGE #1
2. Pursuit of Death (Kwon-taek Im, 1980)
3. Homeless Angels (aka. Angels of the Street) (In-kyu Cho'e, 1941) BONUS CHALLENGE #1
4. Burying Old Alive (Ki-young Kim, 1963)
5. Fisherman's Fire (Shimazu & Ahn, 1938) BONUS CHALLENGE #1
6. The DMZ (Sang-ho Park, 1965)
7. Black Hair (Lee Man-Hee, 1964)
8. Mandala (Kwon-taek Im, 1981)
9. The Ball shot by a Midget (Won-se Lee, 1981)
10. Public Enemy (Woo-suk Kang, 2002)
11. Spinning the Tales of Cruelty Towards Women (Doo-yong Lee, 1984).
12. The Surrogate Woman (Kown-taek Im, 1987)
13. Lovers in Woomuk-Baemi (aka. A Short Love Affair) (Sun-woo Jang, 1990).

[AB537]

3. Ansi-seong - The Great Battle (Kim Kwang-sik, 2018) 7/10

[sol]

Gangnam Style

1. Ta-weo / The Tower (2012) South Korea
2. A Tale of Two Sisters (2003) South Korea
3. Memories of Murder (2003) South Korea
4. The Insect Woman (1972) South Korea
5. The Terror, Live (2013) South Korea
6. The Housemaid (1960) South Korea
7. Fire Woman. (1971) South Korea
8. Sweet Dream (1936) Pre-50s Korea
9. J.S.A.: Joint Security Area (2000) South Korea

10. Ten Zan - Ultimate Mission (1988) North Korea



Shot on location in North Korea, this action thriller involves a group of mercenaries sneaking into the reclusive Asian country to stop a mad scientist... or something like that. The plot is pretty incomprehensible. There are occasional innovative shots (through an aquarium) and some of the explosion special effects are okay, but all of the characters are utterly dull and there is never any attempt to even partially explain the pseudoscience at hand.

[Traveller]

30. Marine Battleground (1963) - 7/10
31. Grass (2018) - 7/10

[72aicm]

16. Gwilo / The Way Home (1967)
17. Angae / Mist (1967)

Spoiler

1. Gipgo puleun bam / The Deep Blue Night (1985)
2. Bam gua nat / Night and Day (2008)
3. Mandala (1981)
4. Hyuil / A Day Off (1968)
5. Gaetmaeul / Seashore Village (1965)
6. Baramnan gajok / A Good Lawyer's Wife (2003)
7. Mimong / Sweet Dream (1936)
8. Ggotip / A Petal (1996)
9. Seopyeonje / Sopyonje (1993)
10. Byeoldeului gohyang / The Stars Heavenly Home (1974)
11. Ggobangdongne saramdeul / People of the Slum (1982)
12. Gilsoddeum / Gilsodom (1986)
13. Bakha satang / Peppermint Candy (1999)
14. Saenghwalui balgyeon / On the Occasion of Remembering the Turning Gate (2002)
15. Sibaji / The Surrogate Woman (1987)
16. Gwilo / The Way Home (1967)
17. Angae / Mist (1967)

[mjf314]

I watched the first 35 minutes of My Mister (2018) (a 16-episode drama). I didn't finish the episode so I'm not counting it as an entry. It's not bad but I don't think I like it enough to continue. I guess I'll try a different drama tomorrow.

[jeroeno]

28. Geomsa-wa yeoseonsaeng (1948)

[Coryn]

1. Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (2005)

[AB537]

4. Asura - Asura: The City of Madness (Kim Sung-su, 2016) 7/10

[sol]

Gangnam Style

1. Ta-weo / The Tower (2012) South Korea
2. A Tale of Two Sisters (2003) South Korea
3. Memories of Murder (2003) South Korea
4. The Insect Woman (1972) South Korea
5. The Terror, Live (2013) South Korea
6. The Housemaid (1960) South Korea
7. Fire Woman. (1971) South Korea
8. Sweet Dream (1936) Pre-50s Korea
9. J.S.A.: Joint Security Area (2000) South Korea
10. Ten Zan - Ultimate Mission (1988) North Korea

11. The Yellow Sea (2010) South Korea



The basic plot is decent here and there are many stellar chase and knife fight scenes as the protagonist finds both the police and opposing criminal factions after him. Clocking it at around two and half hours, the film feels bloated though and lacks focus. All the cutting away to side characters evaporates tension, while an intriguing estranged wife subplot is undernourished. Great private detective investigations and action sequences though.