Oldboy

Oldboy (2003) is a landmark South Korean psychological thriller directed by Park Chan-wook, starring Choi Min-sik, Yoo Ji-tae, and Kang Hye-jeong. Adapted from the Japanese manga by Garon Tsuchiya and Nobuaki Minegishi, the film follows Oh Dae-su, an ordinary man who is suddenly kidnapped and imprisoned in a private room for fifteen years without being told who his captor is or why he has been chosen. When he is unexpectedly released, Dae-su discovers that his nightmare is far from over and begins a relentless search for the person responsible.

Blending psychological thriller, mystery, action, drama, revenge, and suspense, Oldboy creates an intensely disturbing mystery around imprisonment, obsession, guilt, identity, memory, and revenge. Dae-su has only a short period of time to uncover the truth behind his captivity, while an anonymous figure seems to be controlling the investigation from the shadows. As clues gradually emerge, the movie transforms from a revenge-driven action thriller into a deeply psychological puzzle filled with unexpected revelations, emotional tension, and morally complicated characters. Park Chan-wook's direction gives the story an unmistakable visual identity, combining brutal close-quarters combat, striking cinematography, dark humor, unsettling imagery, and carefully constructed suspense.

At the center of Oldboy is Choi Min-sik's acclaimed performance as Oh Dae-su, whose transformation from a seemingly ordinary man into someone consumed by anger and the need for answers drives the entire film. Yoo Ji-tae plays the mysterious Lee Woo-jin, while Kang Hye-jeong portrays Mi-do, a young woman who becomes closely connected to Dae-su during his search. The film is widely recognized for its distinctive action choreography and psychological intensity, while its themes explore how revenge can consume both the victim and the person seeking it. The movie also became an important part of Park Chan-wook's Vengeance Trilogy, alongside Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance and Lady Vengeance.

Released in 2003, Oldboy went on to become one of the most internationally recognized Korean films of its era. It received the Grand Prix at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival, helping establish Park Chan-wook as a major international filmmaker and bringing modern Korean cinema to an even wider audience. With its unforgettable mystery, visceral action, emotionally charged performances, iconic hallway fight, dark atmosphere, and provocative exploration of revenge and human nature, Oldboy (2003) remains a defining Korean psychological thriller and a compelling choice for viewers searching for an intense, unpredictable, critically acclaimed mystery movie.