The Korean Cinema Book

The Korean Cinema Book provides a new and authoritative overview of one of the world’s most dynamic and celebrated filmmaking regions. From the period of Japanese colonial rule in the early twentieth century to the unprecedented success of Bong Joon-Ho's Parasite, which won Best Film at the 2020 Academy Awards, it covers one hundred years of industry change and transformation across the peninsula. The chapters approach the subject from multiple and innovative scholarly perspectives. They encompass key areas of activity such as film policy, regulation, technology, and exhibition; genres such as melodrama, comedy and the blockbuster; North Korean cinema; and contemporary developments in the transnational production, circulation and reception of globalized South Korean movies. Many of the topics have never been discussed before in English-language scholarship, making this unique publication essential reading for anyone seeking to develop their understanding of Korea’s vital cinematic traditions. At a time when Korean films continue to capture the hearts and minds of audiences around the world, The Korean Cinema Book offers fresh perspectives on the full breadth of Korean cinema history.