Director

Lee Chang-dong

1954

Who they are

Born: 1 April 1954, Daegu, South Korea
Known for: Peppermint Candy, Oasis, Secret Sunshine

Lee Chang-dong is a South Korean director, screenwriter and novelist. His slow-burning, humane dramas about ordinary people under pressure made him one of the leading figures of Korean cinema. He also served as the country's Minister of Culture and Tourism from 2003 to 2004.

Where to start

Peppermint Candy (2000)Log in to add it to the library
His second feature told a man's life in reverse against modern Korean history, establishing his international reputation.
Oasis (2002)Log in to add it to the library
A tender, controversial love story that earned him a major prize at Venice.
Secret Sunshine (2007)Log in to add it to the library
A grief drama that won lead actress Jeon Do-yeon the Best Actress prize at Cannes.
Poetry (2010)Log in to add it to the library
A quiet study of an elderly woman's late-life awakening, awarded Best Screenplay at Cannes.
Burning (2018)Full guide
A mystery adapted from Murakami that became his most widely seen film and a global critical favourite.

Their films in the library

Burning2018 · Director

Awards

2002 Venice Film Festival: Special Director's Award for Oasis
2010 Cannes Film Festival: Best Screenplay for Poetry

The full list · 15

1997Green FishLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2000Peppermint CandyLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2002OasisLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2005The Nine Lives of Korean CinemaLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2007Secret SunshineLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2010PoetryLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2010Through Korean CinemaLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2012Ari Ari the Korean CinemaLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2012Tony Rayns, the Not-So-Distant ObserverLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2018BurningLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2022HeartbeatLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2023Lee Chang-dong: The Art of IronyLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2024Walking in the MoviesLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2026Possible LoveLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2026Mr. Kim Goes to the CinemaLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self

Filmography data from TMDB. The profile text is a draft written for Cinespective.