Top 10 Korean films of 2017

A scene from "Jane" / Courtesy of CGV Arthouse

By Jason Bechervaise

It's certainly been an interesting year for Korean cinema. While as a whole the films are not as strong as 2016, which was one of the best years in recent memory for Korean films, it nevertheless has produced a number of excellent features.

Politics, the controversies ("Okja," "Battleship Island") and a new generation of emerging filmmakers make 2017 somewhat distinctive.

Here are my top 10 Korean films of 2017, all features have been released in Korean cinemas between January 1 and December 31.

1. Jane

Directed and scripted by the immensely talented Cho Hyun-hoon, his feature debut explores transgenderism and Korean runaways about a girl who befriends a transgender woman called Jane and her runaway friends. Enigmatic and superbly performed especially by Koo Kyo-hwan (Jane), this is a must-see that follows characters marginalized by society.

While not surprising, it is interesting to see younger directors choosing to make films about Korea's young people and the issues they are facing. Born in the 1980s, Cho is part of a generation of independent filmmakers that exhibit a great deal of talent and potential.

A scene from "Okja" / Courtesy of Netflix

2. Okja

This is technically a Korea-U.S. co-production with Netflix having collaborated with production companies located in the U.S. and Korea to produce the film, but there is enough Korean talent involved to justify a place on this list.

This was a big gamble for Bong JoonHo and for Netflix. And while certainly not without controversy, it's a mistake to underestimate Bong who is not only an extremely gifted storyteller, but also is aware of how the film industry is evolving. The film about a girl who tries to rescue her best friend, a genetically modified super pig is part of a seismic shift in where and how we watch content. Astutely aware, Bong does what he does best and orchestrates the unthinkable and brings it to life.

3. 1987: When the Day Comes

Politics has remained at the forefront of Korean cinema over the past year or so reflecting changes in the political landscape that saw Moon Jae-in elected as president in May. Jang Joon-hwan's"1987: When the Day Comes" captures this sentiment in an expertly woven narrative surrounding the June Democracy Movement when students began protesting following the torture and death of student activist Park Jong-chul in 1987.

Ambitious in scope with a huge cast including Ha Jung-woo, Kim Yoon-seok and Kim Tae-ri (just to name a few), the film refuses to rely on emotions to steer the story. Instead, Jang together with his writer Kim Kyung-chan devise a gripping and enthralling narrative with a number of stunning visuals that sees Jang return to form.

4. Merry Christmas Mr. Mo

Directed by Lim Dae-young (also born in the 1980s), his impressive feature debut shot in black and white is about a terminally ill barber played by the superb KeyJoo-bong who asks his son, an inspiring filmmaker, along with his son's girlfriend to assist him in making a film before he dies. The result, an enchanting Charlie Chaplin-esque short that is truly wonderful.

5. Bamseom Pirates Seoul Inferno

Jung Yoon-suk's (born in 1981) documentary follows an unorthodox band that use anything they can get their hands on to make their music. In so doing, it looks at a young duo who are determined to undermine the political establishment. For them, it's not about being on the left or right side of politics, it's about questioning what it stands for. Extremely thought-provoking, it provides a layered perspective of how attitudes towards politics are shaping some of Korea's youth.

6. The First Lap

Undeniably one of the most promising young talents in Korean cinema, Kim Dae-hwan's second feature builds on the critical success of his debut "End of Winter." Though just in his thirties, his two films have travelled widely and in August he bagged the Best Emerging Director Prize at the Locarno Film Festival for this understated and wonderfully performed feature about a couple who are facing pressure to get married.

7. The Fortress

Although it underperformed at the box office, especially given the star pedigree involved (Lee Byung-hun, Kim Yoon-seok) this is one of this year's most noteworthy commercial films written and directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk. Requiring an understanding of local politics, the film's narrative about King Injo and his retainers who sought refuge in a fortress situated outside Seoul is as much about today's political climate as it is about 17th century Korean history. It is dialogue heavy and might have little in the way of action, but it remains gripping throughout. Superbly acted by Lee Byung-hun and Kim Yoon-seok.

8. A Taxi Driver

This year's biggest box office hit needs little in the way of an introduction. Director Jang Hoon's films are always sophisticated, and his latest set during the Gwanju uprising in 1980 is no exception. Ultimately what works so well here are the central leads with Song Kang-ho playing a taxi driver who takes down a German journalist (Thomas Kretschmann) to Gwangju.

9. Mis-President

In May shortly after Moon Jae-in was elected the documentary "Our President" struck a chord with local audiences about the late President Roh Moo-hyun, but a far superior documentary about Park Geun-hye, Park Chung-hee and their devoted supporters comes in the form of Kim Jae-hwan's excellent feature. Masterfully edited without being manipulative (a major flaw of "Our President"), this is a little-seen film that deserves a greater following.

10. On the Beach at Night Alone

With three films out in 2017 alone, Hong Sangsoo remains Korea's most prolific director. The best of the three is undoubtedly "On the Beach at Night Alone," which sees Hong at his very best for the most part as it follows an actress (played by the tremendous and award winning Kim Min-hee) who had an affair with a director. Given Hong's relationship with Kim, this would seem one of his most personal films to date.

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