Kim Dong-ju Movies

After the success of the modern-day comic martial arts epic Arahan, writer/director Ryu Seung-wan changed gears and again teamed up with his brother, actor Ryu Seung-beom, to produce Crying Fist, a much more serious boxing drama. Actor Ryu plays Yu Sang-hwan, a street thug who rejects the life of his hard-working, struggling father for a life of petty crime and run-ins with the law. He winds up in a juvenile detention center, where he responds to some bullying by flying at the bully, Roc (Kim Su-hyeon), and biting his ear off. Yu is then taken under the wing of the prison's boxing trainer, and he learns a bit of self-discipline through boxing, gradually recognizing his own strengths, and eventually acknowledging the support of his caring family. Meanwhile, 40-year-old Kang Tae-shik (Choi Min-sik of Oldboy), is a washed up former champion whose home and professional life have completely fallen apart. His wife leaves him, taking their young son. Besieged by creditors, Kang earns a meager living by charging people on the street for the privilege of punching him out. In danger of losing his son forever, his own health deteriorating rapidly, Kang decides to enter one last boxing competition, the same one which the equally desperate Yu has chosen to show his mettle. Crying Fist won a FIPRESCI Award at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival, and had its North American premiere at Subway Cinema's 2005 New York Asian Film Festival, with director Ryu in attendance. ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi

South Korean filmmaker Kim Ki-duk writes, directs, and edits Samaria (Samaritan Girl), an abstract drama told in three parts. In part one, "Vasumitra," best friends Yeo-jin (Gwak Ji-min) and Jae-yeong (Seo Min-jung) work together in a prostitution scam in order to save money for a trip. Jae-young is fatally injured and Yeo-jin carries out her final dying wishes. In part two, "Samaria," Yeo-jin finds all of her friend's old johns, sleeps with them, and returns their money. Then her police officer father, Yeong-gi (Lee Eol), finds out what she's doing. In part three, "Sonata," Yeong-gi attempts to confront his daughter about her actions. Kim Ki-duk won the Silver Bear for Best Director at the Berlin Film Festival in 2004. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

Sophomore university student Su-weon (Kim Ha-neul) has been struggling with financing her education since she began her degree program, which has forced her to become a part-time tutor. In need of a new student since she was forced to quit her previous assignment with a group of sexually aggressive young men, Su-weon, with her mother's assistance, finds a new job working with the son of a rich acquaintance. The young man, Ji-hun (Gweon Sang-woo), has spent the last three years studying in the United States and -- due to his ambivalence toward his studies -- he has failed to graduate as a senior in each of those three years. For his part, Ji-hun would rather not have anything to do with his new tutor and attempts to scare her away. Meanwhile, Su-weon is just as determined to accomplish her objectives with Ji-hun, and as the two wage psychological warfare with one another, an unexpected friendship and romance begins to bloom. My Tutor Friend was a smash hit in South Korea upon its release in early 2003, topping the box-office charts for five weeks after its debut. ~ Ryan Shriver, Rovi

The Korean psychological horror film Acacia begins with a married couple who, after accepting the fact that they are unable to have a child of their own, adopt a boy named Jin-sung. The boy appears to contain mystical powers that first manifest when the dead acacia tree he plays underneath comes back to life. However, soon his powers show more destructive than life-giving capabilities. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

Written and directed by Lee Han, Yeonae Soseol (Lover's Concerto) explores the occasionally overlapping boundaries between love and friendship. When Lee Ji-hwan (Cha Tae-hyun) receives a series of strange photographs in the mail, he is reminded of meeting two teenage girls five years beforehand. He had initially fallen for Shim Su-in, but his advances were rejected. Relatively unphased, he remained friends with Su-in and her friend Kim Gyeong-heui (Lee Eun-ju) for the rest of the summer holiday. Eventually, Ji-hwan and Gyeong-heui developed feelings for one another, but both were reluctant to admit it. Through flashback and the listening ears of Ji-hwan's friend Cheol-hyeon (Park Young-woo), the young man struggles to define the former trio's complicated relationship. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi

Kim Ki-duk's Haeanseon (The Coast Guard) is set on the South Korean coastline. Kang Han-cheol (Jang Dong-gun) is an eager military private who wants nothing more than to shoot a North Korean spy. The villagers in town are at odds with the military presence because they claim there are no more spies. One night Kang sees two people on the beach who turn out to be a local girl and her boyfriend engaged in sexual intercourse. Kang shoots the young man and is celebrated by his fellow officers even though the villagers are outraged. The Coast Guard was the opening film at the Pusan Film Festival. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi