This post is about the K-movie “Oldboy” Review and Backstories.
K-movie “Oldboy” Review
The K-movie “Oldboy” was released in 2003 and won the Cannes Film Festival Jury Prize in 2004. It’s a masterpiece.
“Oldboy” is possibly the first film by director Park Chan-wook that truly connects with the audience. When I first saw it, I was thrilled. It’s faster and more thrilling than Park’s earlier work. Revisiting it, the initial excitement evolved, showing how perceptions of movies change over time. Yet, “Oldboy” remains captivating.
Choi Min-sik and Yoo Ji-tae deliver fantastic performances, making them standout actors. Looking back, “Oldboy” features truly fantastic supporting actors introduced through this film. Among them is Oh Kwon-rok, who appears as the first person Oh Dae-su meets after 15 years of imprisonment. And the leader of the private prison that held Oh Dae-su captive for 15 years is Oh Dalsu.
Rewatching it, the feelings differ from the first experience in 2003, showcasing the evolving nature of how one perceives movies. However, it’s clear “Oldboy” is the most captivating film in Park Chan-wook’s revenge trilogy.
Choi Min-sik, having just finished “Failan” and “Chi-hwa-seon,” exhibited even more passion than now. He was like a volcano, unpredictable and explosive. It’s uncertain when we’ll see that passion again, but his incredible acting remains. Yoo Ji-tae also shone. Starting as a trendy star, he found a new path with “Oldboy,” showcasing a transition into a true acting powerhouse.
In summary, “Oldboy” captivates with its unique story, stellar performances, and Park Chan-wook’s exceptional storytelling.
K-movie “Oldboy” Backstories
Choice of Dumplings:
Author Jung Seo-kyung revealed that director Park Chan-wook chose dumplings as the food Oh Dae-su eats in the private prison. Park considered something that would be nauseating after 15 years, and dumplings were the chosen option.
Choice of Live Octopus:
Park Chan-wook mentioned in an interview that when considering what someone trapped for 15 years would crave upon release, he thought live octopus represented the vibrant essence of living creatures.
Choi Min-sik & Lee Woo-jin:
Choi Min-sik initially wanted to play Lee Woo-jin, not Oh Dae-su. When he mentioned this, director Park Chan-wook, if a senior actor like him played Lee Woo-jin, suggested jokingly that Oh Dae-su would seem like a deity or Choi Min-sik’s peer, Shim Eun-ha.
Ending Scene Interpretation:
Regarding the scene where Oh Dae-su smiles while hugging Mi-do, author Jung Seo-kyung explained that if Dae-su appears happy, he successfully erased his memories and will have a happy love with Mi-do. If he appears to cry, he failed to erase his memories and accepts a tragic fate.
Audition Knife Scene:
Kang Hye-jung, who played Mi-do, brought a real knife for the audition scene. Director Park Chan-wook and Choi Min-sik checked this by visiting the nearby Japanese restaurant and confirmed it was true.
Han Seok-kyu and Yoo Ji-tae:
Originally, Han Seok-kyu was the first choice for Yoo Ji-tae’s role. Many actors hesitated due to the film’s challenging content, and Yoo Ji-tae got the script last.
Age Contrast Between Oh Dae-su and Lee Woo-jin:
The director aimed to express the inability to escape the past. While Oh Dae-su aged significantly from high school to middle age, Lee Woo-jin maintained a youthful appearance, emphasizing the impact of the past.
