Loved Oscar winner Parasite? Here are five more Bong Joon-ho movies to binge-watch during COVID-19 lockdown

Most Indians are gonna die without watching a Korean movie ever. Well, the national anti-pandemic lockdown gives us an opportunity to be not on that list. Academy Awards have made 'Parasite' popular among movie lovers along with the man with uncombed hair and cool specs. In his career lasting over two decades, Bong Joon-ho has directed seven movies, the multiple Oscar winner being the latest. Here are five other movies directed by the gifted filmmaker that can make you fall for the Korean industry.
Most Indians are gonna die without watching a Korean movie ever. In his career lasting over two decades, Bong Joon-ho has directed seven movies, the multiple Oscar winner being the latest. Here are five other movies directed by the gifted filmmaker that c
Most Indians are gonna die without watching a Korean movie ever. In his career lasting over two decades, Bong Joon-ho has directed seven movies, the multiple Oscar winner being the latest. Here are five other movies directed by the gifted filmmaker that c
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#1 MOTHER (2009): Can you deal with those thrillers that keep playing with your mind for days after watching? If not, skip this one. Kim Hye-ja is a respected senior actor in Korea and Bong Joon-ho places her a nameless, withdrawn herbalist, who is mother to a man with a learning disability. Underprivileged and overworked, her world comes crashing down as the corrupt system is too eager to get his son prosecuted in a murder case.
#1 MOTHER (2009): Can you deal with those thrillers that keep playing with your mind for days after watching? If not, skip this one. Kim Hye-ja is a respected senior actor in Korea and Bong Joon-ho places her a nameless, withdrawn herbalist, who is mother to a man with a learning disability. Underprivileged and overworked, her world comes crashing down as the corrupt system is too eager to get his son prosecuted in a murder case.
Most characters in the film including the corrupt cops and a worthless lawyer the mother hires are principally driven by money. She isn't willing to give her only child to the cells and decides to play the detective. A mobile phone, the darkest secrets of a late teen girl and an unforgiving reality... Can she do the impossible with the world against her?
Most characters in the film including the corrupt cops and a worthless lawyer the mother hires are principally driven by money. She isn't willing to give her only child to the cells and decides to play the detective. A mobile phone, the darkest secrets of a late teen girl and an unforgiving reality... Can she do the impossible with the world against her?
#2 OKJA (2017): It's hard to convince people with CGI these days. Yet, this one stands out. A genetically-modified pig, which looks more like a huge hippo, is befriended by a young girl somewhere in a South Korean countryside. The creature, born in a test tube to become herbal meat someday, is unbelievably cute and loyal to young Mija (Seo-Hyeon Ahn). The fun part ends when the animal is kidnapped to New York and the girl decides to pack her bags and pursue...
#2 OKJA (2017): It's hard to convince people with CGI these days. Yet, this one stands out. A genetically-modified pig, which looks more like a huge hippo, is befriended by a young girl somewhere in a South Korean countryside. The creature, born in a test tube to become herbal meat someday, is unbelievably cute and loyal to young Mija (Seo-Hyeon Ahn). The fun part ends when the animal is kidnapped to New York and the girl decides to pack her bags and pursue...
'If it is cheap, they'll eat it,' Bong make one of the twin antagonists (Tilda Swinton) say. Okja is taken to New York for one person's greed, to satisfy a self-styled PR show before it begins the journey to the slaughterhouse. The movie can get distressing, as the director throws realities of modernity at our face one after another. Okja was brought to New York pretty much like King Kong, and will the poor thing suffer a similar fate? Do find out.
'If it is cheap, they'll eat it,' Bong make one of the twin antagonists (Tilda Swinton) say. Okja is taken to New York for one person's greed, to satisfy a self-styled PR show before it begins the journey to the slaughterhouse. The movie can get distressing, as the director throws realities of modernity at our face one after another. Okja was brought to New York pretty much like King Kong, and will the poor thing suffer a similar fate? Do find out.
#3 MEMORIES OF MURDER (2003): Bong's second directorial, this thriller is based on true events - that of South Korea's first-ever serial killer. The lesser said about this one, the better because amazing crime thrillers demand to be seen than bragged about. So this is all you're gonna get: two cops of contradicting methods and theories are after the murderer, who choose to kill women wearing red after asking to play a particular song in the local radio.
#3 MEMORIES OF MURDER (2003): Bong's second directorial, this thriller is based on true events - that of South Korea's first-ever serial killer. The lesser said about this one, the better because amazing crime thrillers demand to be seen than bragged about. So this is all you're gonna get: two cops of contradicting methods and theories are after the murderer, who choose to kill women wearing red after asking to play a particular song in the local radio.
#4 SNOWPIERCER (2013): That's right. This one isn't Korean and has Captain America-fame Chris Evans in the lead role. In the post-apocalypse, dystopian action flick, Evans' Curtis is a rebel leader who decides to bring the hardship of his lot to an end by overthrowing the existing order. But what is the order?
#4 SNOWPIERCER (2013): That's right. This one isn't Korean and has Captain America-fame Chris Evans in the lead role. In the post-apocalypse, dystopian action flick, Evans' Curtis is a rebel leader who decides to bring the hardship of his lot to an end by overthrowing the existing order. But what is the order?
Human society, as we know it, has shrunk into an enormous train that runs non-stop by feeding snow (the entire planet is now at a subpolar temperature and life outside impossible) and supports an ecosystem of its own, including aquatic life, in each compartment. While people at the front lead a luxurious and happy life, the miserable ones at the back are stuffed together and left to suffer. As the mutiny to capture 'The Engine' wages on, blood is spilt and secrets are unveiled.
Human society, as we know it, has shrunk into an enormous train that runs non-stop by feeding snow (the entire planet is now at a subpolar temperature and life outside impossible) and supports an ecosystem of its own, including aquatic life, in each compartment. While people at the front lead a luxurious and happy life, the miserable ones at the back are stuffed together and left to suffer. As the mutiny to capture 'The Engine' wages on, blood is spilt and secrets are unveiled.
#5 The Host (2006): Giant creature shows up, kills people, hero and crew sets out and burst it open thanks to some valiant sacrifices. That's every monster story ever told in a nutshell. But here, the creature is ugly as sin. We have no idea if the hybrid thing, created by chemicals released into sewers, is a lizard, fish, tadpole, squid or something else. It's nasty and slimy.
#5 The Host (2006): Giant creature shows up, kills people, hero and crew sets out and burst it open thanks to some valiant sacrifices. That's every monster story ever told in a nutshell. But here, the creature is ugly as sin. We have no idea if the hybrid thing, created by chemicals released into sewers, is a lizard, fish, tadpole, squid or something else. It's nasty and slimy.
The first rampage scene, as the monster jumps out of the water to chomp on people at a popular holiday spot, is breathtaking. But that charisma is missing in the attack sequences that follow, even as the creature displays some weirdly odd habits that we aren't used to see monsters as doing. Bong has no problem in feeding kids to it and a family to track it down in dark tunnels. 'The Host' isn't everyone's cup of tea, but the loosely-shot movie is a typical Korean production, demanding reading between the lines.
The first rampage scene, as the monster jumps out of the water to chomp on people at a popular holiday spot, is breathtaking. But that charisma is missing in the attack sequences that follow, even as the creature displays some weirdly odd habits that we aren't used to see monsters as doing. Bong has no problem in feeding kids to it and a family to track it down in dark tunnels. 'The Host' isn't everyone's cup of tea, but the loosely-shot movie is a typical Korean production, demanding reading between the lines.

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