Earlier this year, a film slipped quietly into obscurity shortly after its release. It likely escaped your notice, as it was expected to mine. However, I was on the lookout for it. The reason? It was from the creative lens of Kim Jee-woon, an unsung hero among South Korea's prominent genre directors, particularly famous among late-night movie viewers in America in the early 2000s.
Recent years have seen Kim's works released with dwindling hype. Notably, his TV series "Dr. Brain" seemed to fade into oblivion unnoticed by Western critics, which is regrettable considering its lead star, Lee Sun-Kyun (also known for his roles in Bong Joon-ho's Parasite and Hong Sang-soo's Oki's Movie) tragically passed away last year.
Kim Jee-woon first gained recognition for his films "The Foul King," "A Tale of Two Sisters," "A Bittersweet Life," and "I Saw the Devil." Yet, nothing he's created since has garnered similar acclaim - even his most personal work, the film set comedy "Cobweb," disappeared seemingly without leaving a mark.
Nevertheless, my appreciation for Kim's filmic artistry continues to grow, notably his 2016 spy thriller "Age of Shadows." This piece will delve into why Kim's work remains captivating to me, why I eagerly anticipate his every new release, and a brief exploration of the history of South Korean cinema that has influenced him and his contemporaries.
