About Oldboy

Oldboy is a 2003 South Korean neo-noir action thriller film directed by Park Chan-wook. It follows the story of Oh Dae-su, who is imprisoned in a cell which resembles a hotel room for 15 years without any explanation. He is finally released, only to discover that he must find his captor in five days.

Making / Production

The film was produced by Show East and is based on the Japanese manga of the same name written by Nobuaki Minegishi and Garon Tsuchiya. The production process was intense and the director's distinct visual style made it unique amongst other films of this genre.

Actors

• Choi Min-sik as Oh Dae-su: Delivered a gripping performance as the protagonist, bringing out the desperation and rage of a man wrongfully imprisoned.
• Yoo Ji-tae as Lee Woo-jin: Efficiently portrayed the antagonist’s role, adducing an excellent contrast to Choi Min-sik's character.
• Kang Hye-jung as Mi-do: Played the role of a young sushi chef who helps the protagonist in his search, showcasing a range of emotions from innocence to bewilderment.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The live octopus that Oh Dae-su eats was real, and four were used during the making of this scene.
• Director Park Chan-wook provided his own hands for the close-up insert shots of Woo-jin's hands.

Awards

Oldboy won the Grand Prix at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival and high praise from the President of the Jury, director Quentin Tarantino.

Quotes

• "Laugh and the world laughs with you. Weep and you weep alone."
• "Even though I'm no more than a monster - don't I, too, have the right to live?"

Music, Soundtrack

• "The Last Waltz" by Choe Seung-hyun: This somber tune perfectly complements the film's dark theme.
• "Cries and Whispers" by Jo Yeong-wook: Another melancholic track that echoes the protagonist's agony and despair.