Here you will find reviews of Korean animation films. Animation films have historically not been prolific within the industry, however more recently this has changed as more animated productions have been released. Please click on the picture, and you will be taken to the review.
The Fake (사이비)
“The Fake is a brutal, dark, and intense viewing experience that examines a rural community manipulated by a religious institution. Employing genre conventions from the western, director Yeon intelligently explores Korean social issues through the increasing conflict between con artists and duped villagers. The Fake is a genuine evolution of style for the director, and is a riveting and explosive social commentary on the nature of morality.”
King of Pigs (돼지의 왕)
“King of Pigs is a bold, unflinching animation that portrays an incredible examination of a variety of social discourses in Korean culture. Writer/director Yeon Sang-ho has crafted a well-structured and gripping narrative with incredible depth, where the stylized violence is not only naturalized but desired. King of Pigs is a riveting film not only in terms of the animation genre but, due to the uncompromising concept of ‘Han’ throughout, a compelling entry into Korean cinema.”
PADAK (파닥파닥)
“PADAK is a novel attempt at capturing the lives of fish, one that explores the predicament of living in fear of death due to containment in a sushi restaurant tank. Writer/director Lee Dae-hee competently conveys the issues of freedom and identity at the heart of the narrative, but they are subsumed by the awful violence and cannibalism that arises. As such PADAK an incredibly mixed, and rather dark, animation.”
The Satellite Girl and Milk Cow
The Satellite Girl and Milk Cow (우리별 일호와 얼룩소) – ★★★☆☆
“The Satellite Girl and Milk Cow is one of the most entertaining family-orientated animations to come from Korea in quite some time. It’s a charming effort by writer/director Jang Hyeong-yoon who blends the worlds of magic and sci-fi well, but it’s let down by a haphazard script as well as too many characters and tangents that go unresolved, making the film an enjoyable experience rather than a magical one.”
Wonderful Days (원더풀 데이즈) – ★★☆☆☆
“Despite the attractive visuals, Wonderful Days is a hollow film that is devoid of any depth. This is perplexing as there is a wealth of potential in the exploration of dystopian futures, technological abominations and class warfare, but in attempting to force a contrived romantic story as its center-piece Wonderful Days fails to entertain or enlighten.”
hangukyeonghwa.com 