When the wave started, one thing which became notable about Korean films was that even the mediocre and bad ones often looked incredibly polished and full of style. A big difference with, say, mediocre and bad Japanese films, of which even the big-budgeted ones tend to look decidedly more lackluster on the visual front.
So for a while we gaped in awe at any Korean output. It didn't last, but while it did it was quite a ride, and for years we lamented such an age was unlikely to return soon...
...Until, as I said, this spring. Because this year, we encounter a kind of Korean Tsunami. The festival hype surrounding Na Hong-jin's fantastic The Wailing turned out to be just the start, as we've had the (legendary) Park Chan-wook's The Handmaiden, Yeon Sang-ho's zombie epic Train to Busan, and now Kim Jee-woon's The Age of Shadows (seen above). All four boast excellent production values, daring plots, and look sumptuous. Fingers crossed we'll get a few more!
Which brings us to the question of the week: what is the best Korean film you've ever seen?
Chime in, in the comments below, and HAVE YOUR SAY!