"Park Chan-Wook's 'Oldboy': A Violent Mind-Bender that Kickstarted the Korean Wave Celebrates 20 Years"

Park Chan-wook's film "Oldboy" celebrates its 20th anniversary with a rerelease in U.S. cinemas. The film, which won the Grand Prix at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival, played a significant role in kickstarting the Korean Wave and raising global interest in Korean cinema. "Oldboy" had a lasting impact on a generation of Korean film professionals and influenced works like Netflix's "Squid Game." Despite its extreme violence, the film continues to captivate audiences with its intense storytelling and visceral experience. Park's early experiences during South Korea's pro-democracy uprising influenced his filmmaking, channeling feelings of rage and revenge into his work.