The New York Times (NYT) included Korean films in its list of the '100 best films of the 21st century,' once again proving the status of K-movies.
On the 26th (local time), NYT announced the 100 best films released in the past 25 years, ranking Park Chan-wook's 'Oldboy' (2005) at 43rd and Bong Joon-ho's 'Memories of Murder' (2005) at 99th. Also, the autobiographical film 'Past Lives' (2023) by Korean-Canadian director Celine Song placed 86th.
This selection was based on a survey of 500 industry figures, including directors, actors, critics, and producers, targeting films released since 2000. NYT noted, 'Over the past 25 years, the film industry has undergone significant changes, including the rise of streaming and blockbusters, but there are still films that endure and are spoken of over time,' explaining the purpose of this list.
Regarding 'Oldboy,' NYT stated, 'Choi Min-sik's corridor action scene demonstrates the pinnacle of a twisted thriller,' adding, 'It elicits provocative and unsettling emotions until the very end.'
As for 'Memories of Murder,' it introduced, 'Director Bong Joon-ho sharply depicted the limits of humanity when faced with evil without adhering to Hollywood formulas,' and 'the unexpected combination of humor and drama stands out.' About 'Past Lives,' NYT evaluated, 'The story by director Song, unfolding between New York and Seoul, is filled with exquisite reflections on time, love, fate, and reinvention,' stating, 'The final scene will tear the audience's heart apart.'
NYT has been announcing the rankings sequentially from 100th place, with the reveal of the top 20 scheduled for the 27th local time.