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A Look Back at Director Na Hong-jin's Filmography Ahead of 'Hope'

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • The article reviews director Na Hong-jin's filmography, including "The Chaser," "The Yellow Sea," and "The Wailing," ahead of his latest, "Hope."
  • It highlights "The Chaser" as a groundbreaking debut and a masterful thriller, noting its impact on launching the careers of its lead actors.
  • The review discusses "The Yellow Sea" and "The Wailing," examining their critical reception and thematic elements, and offers initial thoughts on "Hope" based on its ambitious scale and a notable chase sequence.

Director Na Hong-jin's latest film, "Hope," a 60 billion won production, has generated significant buzz, prompting a look back at his previous works. The article questions how a director with only three previous films could helm such a large-scale project, attributing it to the strong foundation laid by his earlier successes.

Na's debut film, "The Chaser" (2008), is lauded as arguably the best directorial debut and the best thriller in South Korean cinema history. It not only achieved commercial success, drawing over 5 million viewers, but also garnered critical acclaim, including the Grand Bell Award for Best Picture. The film is credited with catapulting actors Kim Yoon-seok and Ha Jung-woo to stardom. Set against the backdrop of a sweltering Seoul summer, mirroring the month of the real-life serial killer's arrest, the film masterfully blends a chilling narrative with a palpable atmosphere, evoking the cold yet intense music of M83.

I think 'The Chaser' is the best debut film in Korea and the best thriller.

— ReviewerExpressing a strong positive assessment of Na Hong-jin's debut film.

"The Yellow Sea" (2010), while initially facing a "sophomore slump" with fewer viewers and mixed reviews compared to "The Chaser," has since been re-evaluated as an underrated gem. The film continues the dynamic between Kim Yoon-seok and Ha Jung-woo, with Kim pursuing Ha's character, a contract killer. The narrative, rooted in a crime-thriller noir framework, ultimately unfolds as a tale of obsession, driven by a woman's disappearance, fittingly underscored by the melancholic song "Lover" by Song Chang-sik.

I was sad yesterday / The woman left / Without saying goodbye / She disappeared.

— Song Chang-sikLyrics from the song 'Lover,' used to evoke the theme of obsession in 'The Yellow Sea.'

Following a six-year hiatus, Na Hong-jin returned with "The Wailing" (2016), a departure into the horror genre that also became a critical and commercial success, surpassing 10 million viewers. The film is celebrated as South Korea's premier horror film and a standout in the global occult genre, characterized by its paradoxical nature, simultaneously grotesque and beautiful, dangerous and alluring. The article suggests that Han Young-ae's rendition of "Old Fortress" from her album "Behind Time" would be a fitting musical accompaniment to the film's unsettling atmosphere.

Initial reactions to "Hope" are divided, and the reviewer feels a second viewing is necessary for a definitive assessment. However, based on the first watch, it's described as "Na Hong-jin's fourth-best film," notable for its exceptional chase sequence, for which the heavy metal track "Dialectic Chaos" by Megadeth is suggested.

The castle has crumbled into ruins / Only the grass grows green / Telling of the world's futility.

— Han Young-aeLyrics from the song 'Old Fortress,' suggested as fitting the atmosphere of 'The Wailing.'
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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