Korean films are starting to receive some attention on the international stage. Part of this is due to clever marketing, but there is the fact that some of the greatest Korean directors are making these films.

Bong Joonho (봉준호) is a talented director. Two of his films that he made while he was a film student, screened at the Vancouver and Hong Kong international film festivals. He is known for Memories of Murder (살인의추억) and The Host (괴물). His 2009 film Mother (마더) competed in the Cannes Film Festival.

Kang Jegyu (강제규) directedShiri (쉬리) and Taegukgi Hwinallimyo (태극기휘날리며). Shiri was released in 1999 and Taegukgi Hwainallimyo was released in 2004. As of now, Taegukgi Hwinallimyo is the third most watched Korean film, with about 13 million people claiming to have watched it.

Kim Jiwoon (김지운) is known for A Tale of Two Sisters (장화,홍련) (a horror film), A Bittersweet Life (달콤한인생) (gangster film), The Good, The Bad, The Weird (좋은 놈, 나쁜 놈, 이상한 놈) (comedy/wild west theme) and I saw the Devil (악마를보았다). He likes to work in a variety of genres, and all his films seem to do commercially well.

Kim Kiduk (김기덕) is best known for Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring (봄, 여름, 가을, 겨울그리고봄), 3 Iron (빈집), and The Isle (섬). Kim’s films have a tendency to do better with abroad audiences. His films are noted for being contemplative, idosyncratic, with very little dialogue.

Park Chanwook (박찬욱) is famous for works such as Joint Security Area (공동경비구역), Sympathy for Mr. Vengence (복수는 나의 것), Oldboy (올드보이), Sympathy for Lady Vengence (친절한 금자씨). His film, I’m a Cybor, But That’s Okay (싸이보그지만 괜찮아) was a departure from his previous films, in that it didn’t do so well in ticket sales.