Revisiting Park Chan-wook’s Vengeance Trilogy
Years ago, I had watched Oldboy without knowing I was diving into one of the most iconic revenge trilogies in Korean cinema. Recently, after watching Confessions and reigniting my interest in psychological revenge films, we decided it was time to go back and watch the two missing pieces of Park Chan-wook’s Vengeance Trilogy.
We started with Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, the first film in the series. As fans of psychological drama and slow-burn storytelling, we knew finishing what we started would be a rewarding, if emotionally taxing, experience.
Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance – A Raw, Uncompromising Start
Original title: Boksuneun naui geot (복수는 나의 것)
Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance is the first chapter in Park Chan-wook’s now-renowned Vengeance Trilogy. It sets the tone for what would become his signature exploration of violence, guilt, and moral ambiguity. The film doesn’t just portray revenge—it dissects it, stripping it of glamor and laying bare its justifications, motives, and consequences.
A Different Approach to Violence
This film is arguably the rawest in terms of production value, but that rawness lends it an unfiltered emotional weight. Park Chan-wook presents violence not as spectacle, but as something deeply human and disturbingly justifiable. You’ll find yourself laughing in disbelief, then immediately recoiling from what unfolds. It’s uncomfortable, poetic, and tragic—all at once.
Cast Highlight
- Song Kang Ho (The Host, The Good, The Bad, The Weird) delivers a gut-wrenching performance.
- Shin Ha Kyun (Thirst, Running Man [2013]) brings complexity to a nearly silent role.
- Bae Doona (Cloud Atlas, Air Doll) is, as always, outstanding in her intensity and vulnerability.
Final Thoughts
Watching Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance requires preparation—not because of its complexity, but because of its emotional weight. It’s a story of injustice, grief, and violence with no heroes or redemption. What stands out the most in Park’s vision is how he frames death as something melancholic, almost poetic… and at times, perversely beautiful.
Warning: Not suitable for minors or viewers sensitive to graphic violence.
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