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Asian cinema: Korean films

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Asian cinema: Korean films
From the stylish blockbusters of Park Chan-wook and Bong Joon-ho to art-house gems by Hong Sang-soo and Kim Ki-duk, this is the place to go for reviews, interviews and features about movies both classic and new from South Korea.
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Tang Wei (left) and Park Hae-il in a still from Decision to Leave, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2022 and won best director. Since then no Korean films have been screened in competition in Cannes, and none are in this year’s official selection for the festival. Photo: CJ Entertainment
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Review | Forbidden Fairytale: bubbly Korean sex comedy is closed-minded and prudish

Park Ji-hyun plays a youth protection officer who starts writing pornography to pay for car repairs in this non-risqué erotic comedy.

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Asian cinema

Review | Mickey 17, wild sci-fi satire from Parasite’s Bong Joon-ho

Robert Pattinson plays the titular Mickey, a loser sent into space, where he is cloned with hilarious results in this cult-novel adaptation.

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Robert Pattinson as Mickey 17 and Mickey 18 in a still from Bong Jooh-ho’s sci-fi comedy Mickey 17, screened at the 2025 Berlin International Film Festival. Naomi Ackie and Mark Ruffalo co-star. Photo: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
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Review | Dark Nuns: Korean exorcism horror with Song Hye-kyo, Jeon Yeo-been

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Ha Jung-woo on ‘tremendous anger’ behind his new film Nocturnal

Korean actor talks about Nocturnal director Kim Jin-hwang’s unique vision, working with new people and connecting with fans on social media.

Ha Jung-Woo Ha in Seoul for a screening of Nocturnal. Photo: WireImage
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Song hye-kyo as Sister Junia in a still from Dark Nuns.
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Louis Koo Tin-lok (front) in a still from Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In.
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Kang Ha-neul as Kang Dae-ho, or player #388, in a still from Squid Game season 2. The actor is among those in the new series with impressive portfolios. Photo: Netflix
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