ALL eyes are on Chinese cinema these days, with their many successes.
This year, John Woo’s Chinese epic Red Cliff hit $76.5 million in worldwide box-office receipts.
Korea has also been making waves on the international film scene over the past several years.
Samaritan Girl (2004) – a movie about a teenaged prostitute from director Kim Ki Duk – won the Best Director award at the 54th annual Berlin Film Festival, for example.
The controversial The King And The Clown (2005), a Korean film that explored themes of court intrigue and homosexuality in the Joseon dynasty period, took the Jury’s Prize at last year’s Deauville Asian Film Festival.
But taking home the title of Korean box-office hit of all time was last year’s horror film, The Host, from director Bong Joon Ho.
The movie raked in over $113 million worldwide and garnered critical acclaim for its special effects and fresh narrative.
According to Asia Variety Online, The Host 2 is set to hit cinemas next year, with a production budget of around $15 million.
So, in Korean cinema, what storylines make the cut when it comes to audiences’ preferences?

THE WAR THRILLER
Classic takes: Taegukgi (2004), Silmido (2003)
The story: Filmed in period sets of wartime scenes, this genre explores themes of betrayal, brotherhood and honour.
Why it works: Korea’s history is long and lavish, and Korean auteurs know how to play up dilemmas, such as loyalty to friends or to the country, through nuances.

THE HORROR TALE
Classic takes: The Host (2007) APT (2006), Wishing Stairs (2003)
The story: You know it well – scary monster/ghost/murderer comes after child/schoolgirl/innocent bystander. Bloodshed and scare fests follow.
Why it works: K-Horror, as the genre has been dubbed, can be used to comment on social and political issues. And it brings psychological fear and suspense to the forefront without getting overly showy