Unfortunately, Park’s first few films were not very well received and he was forced to work as a film critic to pay the bills. Eventually, in 2000, he would release Joint Security Area (J.S.A.), a film that I personally consider to be his best work. It was an immediate critical and commercial success, catapulting Park into his now-famous position as one of South Korea’s (and the world’s) most talented filmmakers.
Once he had established himself as a force to be reckoned with, he began to mastermind what would later become known as The Vengeance Trilogy. The first installment in this was Sympathy
for Mr. Vengeance – a bloody and brutal social commentary about life, death and the troubles that wealth can bring. This was followed by Oldboy, perhaps his most well-known film. Oldboy and Sympathy for Lady Vengeance were more social commentary expressing Park’s own views about the nature and futility of vengeance. Growing up in a divided Korea, it is no wonder that Park was drawn to such topics.
Park’s latest addition to his body of work was a vampire flick called Thirst, though he has directed
several other films as well as writing screenplays. His work has garnered him much critical praise and numerous awards and has influenced many other filmmakers in their own work. Park’s first English-language film, a short by the name of Stoker, began filming two months ago.
Of all the films I’ve seen in the last 20 years, Park Chan-wook’s are some of those which have most influenced the way I see the world. May the gods bless him with a long life and an endless supply of money so that he may continue to work his magic for decades more.