Korean Cinema

A few folks have expressed interest in seeing some Korean films and seeing what they have to offer, which is  unique from films from both the Chinese and Japanese whilst also incorporating arguably the best of both. Around the turn of the century, South Korea released a movie called Shiri (or Swiri). It was a big budget Hollywood style blockbuster film (the most expensive at that point) which had great actors, great action and the kind of slick production values that made it look great and feel professional. The story was also pretty good and dealt with North Korean agents in South Korea, even going so far as to humanise them at a point in time that Korean unification was controversial issue.

Anyhow, Swiri was a huge success, beating the records set by big American films such as Titanic and the Matrix, and gave birth to a film industry boom that continues to this day. Films with high production values like most big American releases, the action sensibilities of the Chinese, the storytelling nuances and eye for cinematography of the Japanese, and the Korean's own brand of humour and taste for being entertained by the unexpected.

Below is a list of what I'd consider to be the best of what Korean cinema has to offer, placed into various categories.

Note: I've deliberately gone for Korean trailers for most as these seemed to give less away. Half the fun of these films is that you go in not knowing much about them and being surprised.

Martial Arts:
Musa (Musa the Warrior)

War of Arrows 

Fighter in the Wind

Drama:

Sympathy for Mr Vengeance

Old Boy

Lady Vengeance
(whole movie)

The Champion

Friend

JSA
(whole movie)

War:

Brotherhood (Taegukgi)
(whole movie!)

Romance:

Bungee Jumping of their Own

My Sassy Girl
(full movie)

More recommendations to come if people have seen the above.