16 Brilliant Korean directors
by KimchiDaniel | created - 19 Apr 2013 | updated - 19 Apr 2013 | PublicI may have missed a few
1. Park Chan-wook
Director | Oldeuboi
Park Chan-wook was born on August 23, 1963 in Seoul, South Korea. He is a producer and director, known for Oldboy (2003), The Handmaiden (2016) and Decision to Leave (2022). He is married to Eun-hee Kim. They have one child.
2. Bong Joon Ho
Writer | Snowpiercer
Bong Joon-ho is a South Korean filmmaker. The recipient of three Academy Awards, his filmography is characterized by emphasis on social themes, genre-mixing, black humor, and sudden tone shifts. He first became known to audiences and achieved a cult following with his directorial debut film, the ...
3. Jee-woon Kim
Director | Joheunnom nabbeunnom isanghannom
Kim Ji-woon was born in Seoul, South Korea. He began his career as an actor before becoming a stage director with productions such as "Hot Sea" in 1994 and "Movie, Movie" in 1995. He then began scripting for films, his first work, 97's "Wonderful Seasons" won Best Screenplay award at Korea's ...
4. Ryu Seung-wan
Director | Beterang
Ryoo Seung-wan entered the global spotlight with his 2005 film CRYING FIST, starring Choi Min-sik (OLD BOY) and his younger brother Ryoo Seung-bum. The film displayed the director's capability to break traditional genre boundaries, and won him the FIPRESCI Prize at the 58th Cannes Film Festival and...
5. Kang Je-kyu
Writer | Taegukgi hwinalrimyeo
Director Je-Kyu Kang was born in South Korea. Before directing his hit film Shiri (1999) pronounced "Shee Rhee", Kang nearly gave up the film business. After struggling for many years, he has finally become one of the premier directors in South Korea.
6. Dong-hoon Choi
Director | Amsal
Dong-hoon Choi was born in 1971 in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, South Korea. He is a director and writer, known for Assassination (2015), The Thieves (2012) and The Big Swindle (2004).
7. Kim Ki-duk
Writer | Bin-jip
He studied fine arts in Paris in 1990-1992. In 1993 he won the award for Best Screenplay from the Educational Institute of Screenwriting with "A Painter and A Criminal Condemned to Death". After two more screenplay awards, he made his directorial debut with Crocodile (1996) ("Crocodile"). Then he ...
8. Lee Chang-dong
Writer | Beoning
Lee Chang-Dong was born in 1954 in Daegu, which some consider the most right-wing city in South Korea. Lee is a former high-school teacher and an acclaimed novelist. He turned to cinema when he was over 40 years old. His debut film "Green Fish" (1997) brought immediate success and critical acclaim....
9. Hong Sang-soo
Director | Ji-geum-eun-mat-go-geu-ddae-neun-teul-li-da
Hong Sang-soo was born on October 25, 1960 in Seoul, Korea. He is a director and writer, known for Right Now, Wrong Then (2015), Night and Day (2008) and The Woman Who Ran (2020).
10. Kim Sung-su
Director | Asura
Kim Sung-su was born on November 15, 1961 in Seoul, South Korea. Kim is a director and writer, known for Asura (2016), The Warrior (2001) and Please Teach Me English (2003).
11. Hwang Dong-hyuk
Writer | Ojing-eo geim
Hwang Dong-hyuk is known for Squid Game (2021), The Fortress (2017) and Silenced (2011).
12. Na Hong-jin
Writer | Chugyeokja
Na Hong-jin born in 1974 is a South Korean film director and screenwriter. His debut film The Chaser (2008) won Best Director at the 45th Grand Bell Awards in 2008. The film also won the award for Best Film. His follow up film, The Yellow Sea, was released in South Korea on December 15, 2010. It is...
13. Yong-hwa Kim
Writer | Sin-gwa ham-kke: Jwi-wa beol
Yong-hwa Kim is known for Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds (2017), Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days (2018) and Take Off (2009).
14. Im Kwon-taek
Director | Chunhyangdyun
Born in Changsong, Cheollanam-do, 2 May 1936. He grew up in the southern city Kwangju, where he completed senior high school. His family suffered considerable hardships and losses in the Korean War, so he had to move to Pusan in search of work: he was a labourer before trying to start a business ...
15. Kang Woo-suk
Producer | Silmido
Kang Woo-suk was born on November 10, 1960 in Gyeonggi-do, Gyeongsan, South Korea. Kang is a producer and director, known for Silmido (2003), Moss (2010) and Two Cops (1993).
16. Lee Joon-ik
Director | Dongju
Lee Joon-ik was born on September 21, 1959 in Seoul, Korea. He is a director and producer, known for Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet (2016), The Throne (2015) and Anarchist from Colony (2017).
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