Tag Archives: South Korean Film

Hallan (2025) ☆☆☆(3/4): A young mother and her little daughter in the Jeju Uprising

South Korean film “Hallan” turns out to be a lot more haunting than I expected at first. Closely following the harrowing survival drama of a young mother and her little daughter in the middle of the Jeju Uprising (1948 ~ … Continue reading

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Sprout (2013) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A little early work by Yoon Ga-eun

Yoon Ga-eun’s 2013 short film “Sprout”, which happens to be released in selected theaters in South Korean on this Wednesday, is still remarkable in many aspects. This simple but precious piece of work shows that Yoon was already quite a … Continue reading

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1980 Sabuk (2025) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): It’s still painful for them…

South Korean documentary film “1980 Sabuk” is about one large-scale labor uprising which happened in one little rural coal mine town in April 1980. Although the incident is almost forgotten at present, there are still many people who remember well … Continue reading

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Isle of Snakes (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): On a strange and beautiful isle

South Korean independent film “Isle of Snakes”, which was released in local theaters a few years after it was premiered at the 2023 Busan International Film Festival, alternatively baffled and intrigued me. While simply starting with three broad characters stuck … Continue reading

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404 Still Remain (2024) ☆☆☆(3/4): As they share their favorite Japanese pop songs

South Korean independent film “404 Still Remain” made me feel a bit nostalgic for good reasons. Set in early 2000s, this little coming-of-age drama movie is filled with the period details to notice here and there, and I can tell … Continue reading

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Esper’s Light (2024) ☆☆(2/4): Their little online fantasy world

 In my inconsequential opinion, I am not an ideal audience for South Korean independent film “Esper’s Light”. While it is probably one of the most singular South Korean films of this year, I often felt distant and confused for more … Continue reading

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The Woman in the White Car (2022) ☆☆☆(3/4): A little chilly female mystery thriller

South Korean film “The Woman in the White Car” is a little female mystery thriller with chilly sensitivity to be savored. While you may easily guess what it is about right from the very beginning, the movie will gradually engage … Continue reading

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Save the Green Planet! (2003) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): An odd South Korean mixed bag

South Korean filmmaker Jang Joon-hwan’s 2003 debut feature film “Save the Green Planet”, which recently received more attention thank to the recent American remake version directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, is probably one of the weirdest mixed bags I have even … Continue reading

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My Missing Aunt (2025) ☆☆☆(3/4): Her erased aunt

South Korean independent documentary film “My Missing Aunt” presents a modest but intimate personal story to tell. Looking into how one promising young woman was unjustly erased by her own family, it makes some sharp point on the sexist influence … Continue reading

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The World of Love (2025) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): How she is

South Korean film “The World of Love” is simply extraordinary for how it is about as well as what it is about. As gradually and sensitively conveying to us its heroine’s inner struggle along the story, the movie will make … Continue reading

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