People might find it strange that, despite the fact that I’ve been following Korean culture for 20 years now, I’ve never watched a complete TV Drama series. There have been several reasons for this, but basically it boils down to lack of time, and the prohibitive cost of the DVD boxed sets. I made the … [Read More]
People: Yoon Se-ah
Bluebeard (해빙, 2017) review: probing the serial killer genre
In her second feature, Bluebeard, director Lee Soo-yeon infuses elements of both horror and psychological thriller within a fast-paced serial killer tale. While Bluebeard may not necessarily be mentioned alongside the best of the best of the genre, it nonetheless largely succeeds where some other serial killer films have failed, anal probes notwithstanding. [Read More]
Shadows in the Palace (궁녀, 2007) review: secrets, power and death in Joseon Korea
As layered as it is intricate, as bleak as it is visceral, Shadows in the Palace is a beautifully complex and intelligent period thriller; a twisted story of secrets, lies, power and hidden sexuality made all the stronger by the avoidance of sexually explicit visual imagery and titillation… [Read More]