When BTS dropped the music video for ‘2.0’ from their comeback album ARIRANG, fans immediately noticed it was a cinematic love letter to Park Chan-wook’s 2003 Korean masterpiece, Oldboy.
From the narrow hallway packed with thugs to RM’s rumpled Oh Dae-su styling to the villain’s penthouse, the references were everywhere. But here is the thing. If the ‘2.0’ MV was your introduction to Park Chan-wook’s world, you are only at the beginning. The man is one of the greatest filmmakers alive, and his body of work is the kind that changes how you watch movies forever. Here are five of his films every ARMY absolutely needs to watch next.
Here Are 5 Park Chan-wook Films Every ARMY Needs To Watch
1. Oldboy (2003)
- Cast: Choi Min-sik
- RT Score: 82%
- Streaming On: Prime Video
Plot: This 2003 neo-noir thriller has become a global cult classic. This is the film BTS paid tribute to in ‘2.0’. Now watch the original and see exactly what they were referencing. The movie follows Oh Dae-su, a man who was imprisoned for 15 years in a tiny cell. When he is released, he sets out on a path to find out who was responsible. He uncovers a dark web of secrets, revenge, and obsession. Oldboy is a classic Park Chan-wook film that is a favorite among many cinephiles. The filming styles have become a blueprint for how to film a combat scene. The film is the second installment in Park’s Vengeance Trilogy.
3. The Handmaiden (2016)
- Cast: Kim Tae-ri, Kim Min-hee, Ha Jung-woo
- RT Score: 96%
- Streaming On: Prime Video
Plot: The Handmaiden is set in 1930s Korea under Japanese rule. The film follows Sook-hee, a pickpocket turned handmaiden. She is hired to swindle the wealthy widow, Lady Hideko, but soon she gets entangled in a layered reality of deception, betrayal, and desire. It is one of director Park's most visually stunning films. Park Chan-wook won the BAFTA Award for Best Film Not in the English Language. The movie made history as the first Korean film nominated in that category.