Painted Fire

Painted Fire 2002

7.14

In a time of political and social unrest in 19th century Korea, uncouth, self-taught painter Jang Seung-up explores his natural talent amidst the repressive world around him.

2002

Sadae Shaolin Temple

Sadae Shaolin Temple 1984

4.90

A general goes on a search for a book that reveals the names of revolutionaries in the area, leading to a showdown at a Shaolin temple where he faces off against the revolutionaries.

1984

Passage to Buddha

Passage to Buddha 1993

7.10

A young boy mourns the death of his father, and begins a quest to find his mother. He encounters many people on the way who quote Buddhist precepts: an eccentric monk, a girl who grows up into a young woman, a prison inmate, a foul-mouthed doctor and the young son of a hard drinking astronomer. Each of them tell the boy to seek someone to help him find the truth and his mother.

1993

Chunhyang

Chunhyang 2000

6.70

A courtesan's daughter's fidelity to her husband, the governor's son, is tested when he and his family leave for Seoul and the new governor attempts to possess her.

2000

The Taebaek Mountains

The Taebaek Mountains 1994

6.70

Based on the great river story, The Taebaek Mountains chronicles the lasting generational conflict between proprietors and peasants in South Korea.

1994

Mulberry

Mulberry 1986

6.00

Sam-po is a gambler living without concern for how his wife will manage their houselhold without his earning money. In order to get food and provisions, his wife An-hyeob, sleeps with various merchants in the village. One of the few men she does not sleep with, a lustful servant named Sam-dol, decides to reveal her activities to her husband for revenge.

1986

Gagman

Gagman 1989

6.00

Lee Jong-se is a third-rate comedian who believes himself to be a creative genius. He desires nothing more than to be a movie director.

1989

General's Son 3

General's Son 3 1992

6.30

Following the final events of General's Son 2, Kim Du-han is forced to go on the lam but eventually returns to Jongro where he attempts to rebuild his gang with the brothers that are still alive and loyal and defeat Hayashi's Yakuzas once and for all.

1992

General's Son

General's Son 1990

5.90

In Japanese-occupied South Korea, a young man, newly-released from prison, is accepted into a gang for his fighting skills and quickly rises to the top. Based on the life of South Korean mobster and politician Kim Du-han.

1990

Karma

Karma 1988

1

Governor Heo, worried over the plague that's sweeping the country, rebukes the Kus who make amulets to ward off evil. Heo castrates the husband when he makes superstitious claims and takes the wife as his mistress. Heo continues to be tormented by hallucinations and nightmares and begins to blame it on the Kus' curse. He kills the couple at their reunion and unable to ward off his bad karma, dies from leprosy.

1988

Low Life

Low Life 2004

5.80

A sprawling story of one man's tumultuous life within the context of the South Korean political situation during the second half of the 20th century.

2004

Sopyonje

Sopyonje 1993

7.80

A former pansori performer travels across South Korea in search of the student he studied with.

1993

The Road to the Racetrack

The Road to the Racetrack 1991

6.50

R returns from studying in France and reunites with J, whom he used to live with in Paris.

1991

Ambiguous Man

Ambiguous Man 1996

1

A well-known womanizer is set to marry the daughter of wealthy business man. However, on the day of the wedding, he goes missing. The police are called and begin an investigation, only to see some surprising witnesses come forward.

1996

Downfall

Downfall 1997

5.20

A young woman is tricked into prostitution, thinking she is going to sell beverages at a village store. She soon learns about the dark world of Korea's red-light districts, where their pimps and society exploit her.

1997

Grown-ups Just Don't Understand

Grown-ups Just Don't Understand 1988

1

Jun, who was once an amateur boxer, becomes acquainted with Min-Yong by chance. Jun wants to help him and sends him to a kindergarten. Min-Yong makes the kindergarten fussy and makes the teacher Yu-Ra in trouble. Jun meets Yu-Ra to discuss about Min-Yong, and they fall in love with each other. Jun leaves for hard training, and Min-Yong is sent to Children's Welfare Institute for adoption, but he runs away from there. Min-Yong meets Dal-Kom in secret, but Dal-Kom asks Yu-Ra for help. Consequently, they bring Min-Yong, who loses consciousness, to the hospital. On the other hand, Jun wins in the title match with the Thai's champion Okampo. He celebrates his victory with Yu-Ra and Min-Yong. Finally, Min-Yong says goodbye to them and heads for the airport.

1988

General's Son 2

General's Son 2 1991

5.40

Upon being released from prison, Kim Du-han begins rebuilding his street gang in the face of Hayashi's Yakuzas and increasing Japanese influence.

1991

Come Come Come Upward

Come Come Come Upward 1989

6.90

This story of two Buddhist nuns is an exploration of the Korean experience of the relationship between hardship and religious salvation. Trainee Soon-nyeo is forced to confront her True Path by walking among the people, while venerable Jinseong must pursue enlightenment through her inner practice.

1989