I don't think there will be any Hi-Def release from any korean label soon. The market is not ready yet.

People have commented that my list of essential Korean cinema is perhaps geared towards modern films as opposed to older classics.  This is true to a degree.  I have my reasons for this and I thought that I should share them with you.

1. Perhaps the biggest reason is that not too many old classic Korean films are available on DVD.  Oldest movie in my list is from 1993 (Seopyeonje) and that has only recently become available on DVD despite it being recognized as a genuine classic.

2. I probably have about half of older classic movies that's been released so far, and they are pretty poor DVDs, PQ and AQ  wise with scratches, missing frames, hard to hear sounds.  This is because until recently, old films were considered to be worthless and not archived or collected.  We will probably never see vast majority of films made before the 90's, because the viable film masters simply do not exist.

3. Older films, even the ones considered classic and those that I loved watching when they first came out, simply do not hold up very well compared to current films.  Most movies shot back then, simply do not have the same level of professionalism compared to even mediocre direct to video movies today.

4. I am a collector of DVD rather than film if that makes any sense. What I mean is that content is important, but not at the expense of technical quality. Some people are perfectly happy watching a good movie on VHS tape on a 13" TV because they care about the movie and not the medium.  I can respect that, but that's not for me.  If given a choice between watching a mediocre movie on great medium and great movie on mediocre medium, I would probably go read a good book instead.

5. I really do think that the golden age of Korean Cinema is now. Never has Korean cinema been more popular both domestically and internationally.  Along with good films come many duds, but that's true of any movie industry. However nowadays, I can usually count on 3 or 4 really good films each year that continually raise the bar. Best Korean films nowadays can match best films from anywhere around the world, and that's not something that I could have said even 15 years ago.

Hey, but this is only my personal opinion. I am sure if you are a fan of International cinema, you have your own criteria for what you like to watch.    

If you are interested in finding more information about Korean Cinema, Darcy Paquet has a very nice site dedicated to Korean movies, reviews, and discussion.  He is a recognized expert in the field and has a much broader and deeper understanding of all things related to Korean movie industry.

Short History of Korean Cinema by Darcy Paquet

Quoting Peter von Frosta:

Quote:
Quoting xradman:

Quote:
Quoting Peter von Frosta:

Quote:
I don't think there will be any Hi-Def release from any korean label soon. The market is not ready yet.

I disagree. We've already seen Blu-ray discs of Korean movies from Japan (Oldboy and Volcano High), and I'd bet that we would see first Korean HD DVD or Blu-ray disc this year.

Oldboy on BluRay, I hate sony

Did I say Blu-ray? I'm sorry. I meant HD DVD. Oldboy and Volcano High are available on HD DVD. A Bittersweet Life was also announced on HD DVD, but with no firm street date. Yeokdosan (Rikidozan) is available on Blu ray.

*bangs his head*
It doesn't have english subs, does it?
Damn, thought too late of it.

Just canceled it. They should have made english subs mandatory.

Data being updated

Reserved for Revenge Trilogy

Director Park, Chan-wuk's revenge trilogy films are available together in special box sets around the world.

R2 Japan (NTSC)

5 Disc Limited Edition Box Set
UPC: 
Released: March 24, 2006
Publisher: Geneon

Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (Premium 2 Disc Edition)
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen
Audio: DD 5.1 Korean
Subtitles: Japanese
Special Features:
-


R2 UK The Vengeance Trilogy Deluxe Edition (PAL)


6 Disc Limited Edition Box Set
UPC: 
Released: October 23, 2006
Publisher: Tartan Video

R2 UK The Vengeance Trilogy (PAL)

6 Disc Limited Edition Box Set
UPC: 
Released: October 23, 2006
Publisher: Tartan Video


R2 Netherland (PAL)

3 Disc Box Set
UPC: 
Released: December 7, 2006
Publisher: AsiaMania

Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: DTS 5.1/DD 5.1 Korean
Subtitles: Nederlands
Disc format: DVD 9
Extra's:
    -Trailer
    -Making of (+/- 30 min)

Old Boy
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: DTS 5.1/DD 5.1 Korean and DD 5.1 French
Subtitles: French and Nederlands
Disc format: DVD 9
Extra's:
    -Original Theatrical Trailer
    -Director's Commentary Track

Sympathy For Lady Vengeance
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: DTS 5.1/DD 5.1 Korean
Subtitle: Nederlands
Disc format: DVD 9
Extra's
    -Trailer
    -Teaser Trailer
    -Making Of (+/- 11 min)

Quoting kovacs01:

Quote:
Nice list, however, I am not sure The Shadowless Sword belongs.  I found it to be pretty mediocre in its genre.  To me, it fell well short of Musa, Hero, HOFD, COTGF, Azumi, Seven Swords, etc.  I think it should be replaced by either Crying Fist or Baramui fighter.

I agree that it's probably the weakest title on the list. But it's the only sword fantasy film on the list, and probably the best of its genre among Korean films.  Musa is more along the lines of an epic war movie than sword fantasy IMO. I may replace one of the other films (maybe one of those that are on the reserved posts but not on the list) with Crying Fist, because I really did like that movie.

Quoting xradman:

Quote:
font color="green"]Based on all the information I have, it seems that the best version to get with English subtitles is either the R1 USA Tartan (NTSC) or R0 UK Tartan (PAL) release.

As always, feed back is appreciated.

UK Tartan release is an interlaced NTSC->PAL transfer, very bad.