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IMDbPro

Kim Jee-woon

  • Writer
  • Director
  • Producer
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Kim Jee-woon in I Saw the Devil (2010)
The story of three Korean outlaws in 1940s Manchuria and their rivalry to possess a treasure map while being pursued by the Japanese army and Chinese bandits.
Play trailer2:21
The Good, the Bad, the Weird (2008)
2 Videos
2 Photos
Kim Ji-woon was born in Seoul, South Korea. He began his career as an actor before becoming a stage director with productions such as "Hot Sea" in 1994 and "Movie, Movie" in 1995. He then began scripting for films, his first work, 97's "Wonderful Seasons" won Best Screenplay award at Korea's Premier Scenario contest, whilst his follow up The Quiet Family (1998) became not only his directorial debut, but also the source material for Takashi Miike's remake The Happiness of the Katakuris (2001) in 2001.

With an official selection at the Berlin International Film Festival and Best Film award at the Fantasport Film Festival for "A Quiet Family", his next film, 2000's The Foul King (2000), was an instant domestic hit, maintaining the #1 spot for over 6 months, with over 2 million admissions, it was also a worldwide festival crowd-pleaser. The short Coming Out (2000) and his contribution to Three (2002) (alongside segments from Peter Ho-Sun Chan and Nonzee Nimibutr) followed and then he made the 2003 horror A Tale of Two Sisters (2003).

He is a fan of film-noir and claims that many of his films contain elements of noir, often mixed with black comedy. His movie A Bittersweet Life (2005) his full on film-noir gangster thriller masterwork.
BornJuly 6, 1964
  • More at IMDbPro
    • Contact info
    • Agent info
    • Resume
BornJuly 6, 1964
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
  • View contact info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 35 wins & 32 nominations total

    Photos1

    View Poster

    Known for

    Jung Woo-sung, Lee Byung-hun, and Song Kang-ho in The Good, the Bad, the Weird (2008)
    The Good, the Bad, the Weird
    7.2
    • Writer
    • 2008
    Kim Kap-su, Yum Jung-ah, Lim Soo-jung, and Moon Geun-young in A Tale of Two Sisters (2003)
    A Tale of Two Sisters
    7.1
    • Writer
    • 2003
    I Saw the Devil (2010)
    I Saw the Devil
    7.8
    • Writer
    • 2010
    A Bittersweet Life (2005)
    A Bittersweet Life
    7.5
    • Writer
    • 2005

    Credits

    IMDbPro

    Writer



    • The Hole
      • screenplay by
      • Post-production



    • Cobweb (2023)
      Cobweb
      6.6
      • adaptation
      • 2023
    • Lee Sun-kyun in Dr. Brain (2021)
      Dr. Brain
      6.7
      TV Series
      • Writer
      • 2021
    • Untact (2020)
      Untact
      3.9
      • Writer
      • 2020
    • Gang Dong-won in Illang: The Wolf Brigade (2018)
      Illang: The Wolf Brigade
      6.0
      • Writer
      • 2018
    • Lee Byung-hun, Song Kang-ho, Gong Yoo, and Han Ji-min in The Age of Shadows (2016)
      The Age of Shadows
      7.1
      • Writer
      • 2016
    • The X (2013)
      The X
      7.4
      Short
      • Writer
      • 2013
    • Doomsday Book (2012)
      Doomsday Book
      5.8
      • Writer (segment "Heaven's Creation")
      • 2012
    • I Saw the Devil (2010)
      I Saw the Devil
      7.8
      • adaptation
      • 2010
    • The Uninvited (2009)
      The Uninvited
      6.3
      • motion picture "Changhwa, Hongryon" (as Jee-woon Kim)
      • 2009
    • Jung Woo-sung, Lee Byung-hun, and Song Kang-ho in The Good, the Bad, the Weird (2008)
      The Good, the Bad, the Weird
      7.2
      • screenplay
      • 2008
    • A Bittersweet Life (2005)
      A Bittersweet Life
      7.5
      • screenplay
      • screenwriter
      • written by
      • 2005
    • Kim Kap-su, Yum Jung-ah, Lim Soo-jung, and Moon Geun-young in A Tale of Two Sisters (2003)
      A Tale of Two Sisters
      7.1
      • screenplay
      • screenwriter
      • 2003
    • Three (2002)
      Three
      6.1
      • written by (segment "Memories")
      • 2002
    • Coming Out (2000)
      Coming Out
      6.2
      • Writer
      • 2000
    • The Foul King (2000)
      The Foul King
      6.9
      • screenplay
      • 2000

    Director



    • The Hole
      • Director
      • Post-production
    • In the Net
      • Director (as Jee-woon Kim)
      • Post-production
      • TV Mini Series



    • Cobweb (2023)
      Cobweb
      6.6
      • Director
      • 2023
    • Lee Sun-kyun in Dr. Brain (2021)
      Dr. Brain
      6.7
      TV Series
      • Director
      • 2021
    • Untact (2020)
      Untact
      3.9
      • Director
      • 2020
    • Gang Dong-won in Illang: The Wolf Brigade (2018)
      Illang: The Wolf Brigade
      6.0
      • Director
      • 2018
    • Lee Byung-hun, Song Kang-ho, Gong Yoo, and Han Ji-min in The Age of Shadows (2016)
      The Age of Shadows
      7.1
      • Director
      • 2016
    • The X (2013)
      The X
      7.4
      Short
      • Director
      • 2013
    • One Perfect Day (2013)
      One Perfect Day
      6.5
      Video
      • Director
      • 2013
    • Arnold Schwarzenegger and Johnny Knoxville in The Last Stand (2013)
      The Last Stand
      6.3
      • Director
      • 2013
    • Doomsday Book (2012)
      Doomsday Book
      5.8
      • Director (segment "Heaven's Creation")
      • 2012
    • I Saw the Devil (2010)
      I Saw the Devil
      7.8
      • Director
      • 2010
    • Jung Woo-sung, Lee Byung-hun, and Song Kang-ho in The Good, the Bad, the Weird (2008)
      The Good, the Bad, the Weird
      7.2
      • Director
      • 2008
    • A Bittersweet Life (2005)
      A Bittersweet Life
      7.5
      • Director
      • 2005
    • Kim Kap-su, Yum Jung-ah, Lim Soo-jung, and Moon Geun-young in A Tale of Two Sisters (2003)
      A Tale of Two Sisters
      7.1
      • Director
      • 2003
    • Three (2002)
      Three
      6.1
      • directed by (segment "Memories")
      • 2002
    • Coming Out (2000)
      Coming Out
      6.2
      • Director
      • 2000

    Producer



    • Untitled/Drishyam/Korean Remake
      • producer
      • Pre-production
    • The Hole
      • producer
      • Post-production



    • Lee Sun-kyun in Dr. Brain (2021)
      Dr. Brain
      6.7
      TV Series
      • executive producer (showrunner)
      • 2021
    • Jung Woo-sung, Lee Byung-hun, and Song Kang-ho in The Good, the Bad, the Weird (2008)
      The Good, the Bad, the Weird
      7.2
      • producer
      • 2008

    • In-development projects at IMDbPro

    Videos2

    "Greenhouse Fight" from I Saw the Devil
    Clip 1:41
    "Greenhouse Fight" from I Saw the Devil
    The Good, the Bad, the Weird
    Trailer 2:21
    The Good, the Bad, the Weird
    The Good, the Bad, the Weird
    Trailer 2:21
    The Good, the Bad, the Weird

    Personal details

    • Alternative name
      • Jee-woon Kim
    • Born
      • July 6, 1964
      • Seoul, South Korea
    • Parents
      • Kim Ok-sung
    • Relatives
        Kim Ji-won(Sibling)

    Did you know

    • Trivia
      From Stage to Screen: He initially began his career in the entertainment industry as a stage actor and theater director before transitioning into filmmaking.
    • Quotes
      Korea has respected a director's style and uniqueness more than any other country. Consequently, Korea was able to produce many strong films by directors. Where youthful energy has met film has developed aesthetically and industrially. The films which can appeal to young audiences have always been innovatively expressive, powerful and uniquely styled. Korea especially has shown a strong aspect of having many diverse styles of genres.
    • Trademarks
        Switching light on and off

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