Korean Thrillers: Sympathy for Mr Vengeance

As I’ve previously acknowledged, South Korea has become a hub for the best thrillers of the last decade, and continuously puts Hollywood to shame with its sheer determination and no-nonsense approach. I’ve already talked about the likes of Oldboy, The Chaser and I Saw The Devil. So over the next week (or so) I’m going to bring a couple more to your attention: 

Sympathy for Mr Vengeance (Park Chan-wook, 2002) 

The first of the “Vengeance Trilogy” (Oldboy and Lady Vengeance), Sympathy for Mr Vengeance perfectly demonstrates not only director Park Chan-wook’s infamous talent, but the narrative structures and thematic approaches within the genre. Deaf-mute Ryu (Ha-kyun Shin) is determined to do anything to save his dying sister’s life. Shady dealings and losing his job, he’s desperate to find the money for her kidney transplant. Subsequently, he and his terrorist girlfriend Yeong-mi attempt to kidnap the daughter of his previous boss Park Dong-jin (Kang-ho Song). What ensues is a compelling and fierce tale of revenge, flawed personalities and sheer emotional power. 


What’s clear and clever with Park Chan-wook’s story-telling is the constant battle over the audience’s sympathy towards his characters. Here we understand Ryu’s desire to save his ill sister and the barriers he’ll break in order to succeed. Yet we also understand Dong-jin’s path of violence and determination to find his daughter, and his rather barbaric reaction towards the events in the final third of the film. It’s truly a marvel of writing and directing that persistently creates a film that remains utterly compelling and intense. Meanwhile, Park also perfectly mixes the uncompromising nature of Sympathy’s themes and reality with moments of charm and humour that manage to develop the characters and give further weight to the ensuing drama. With great performances, great cinematography and great writing, if you’ve watched Oldboy or haven’t, then Sympathy for My Vengeance is a perfect addition or place to start in the genre of the “Korean thriller” .

Personal Favourites: Oldboy

Oldboy

A personal favourite and one that serious film lovers should watch is Park Chan-wook’s ‘Oldboy’. The plot centres around the story of Oh Dae-Su, who has been locked up in a room for 15 years. His lack of knowledge about his captors or the motives behind his imprisonment so drives him into insanity, with TV being his ‘teacher, friend and lover’. After suddenly being let out, he begins his brutal search for his captor. Though the plot sounds like the generic ‘revenge’ story, it soon turns into a twisted, psychological, romantic thriller. Whilst is easy to get lost in the various plot twists that Chan-wook repeatedly ‘hammers’ into our brains, the end result is a climax that is truly sadistic, disturbing and shocking in nature. 

 This is certainly not a film to watch lazily, and is one that will require a second viewing. Nor is it a film for those with weak stomachs, with its use of violence, D.I.Y dentistry, suicide and a notorious ‘octopus scene’. Overall ‘Oldboy’ is a brilliantly acted, dark, violent and thrilling feat of cinema that challenges our concept of the traditional, Hollywood revenge story with nightmarish and horrifying consequences. 

Check out my other 'Personal Favourites' in the Features section.