My top 10 gangster movies #8 - A Bittersweet Life (2005)
By Winterishere
@thedevilinme (4271)
Northampton, England
February 18, 2025 5:22pm CST
Korean movies are the new cool now as Japan drifts more towards Hollywood and more sophisticated film. But Korea had a couple of Oscar wins recently and so increasingly on Western film-goers radar. I've always loved their stiff extreme horror stuff and their gangster genre as super cool.
A Bittersweet Life is not the greatest Korean film I have ever seen but it sharply represents the extreme cool and energy in the Korean genre gangster, from the lavish action scene, balletic gun play shootouts and slick dress sense and obligatory martial arts stuff. Sunglasses never looked so cool.
From the handsome matchstick chewing lead Lee-Byung-hun as the bodyguard battling his loyalty to his boss and a passion for a beautiful women ( Shin min-ha) , the film is quite long but never drags as the action scenes pile up and the baddies go down. Just check at the Korean stuff guys over the now dram American stuff.
2 people like this
2 responses
@RevivedWarrior (3711)
• India
23 Feb
Korean Movies are definitely making waves, especially with unique storytelling and stylish action sequences. A bittersweet Life captures the sleek, high-energy essence of Korean gangster movies. The balance of brutal fight scenes, gunplay and share fashion gives distinct edge. Lee Byung character is interesting It is cool, conflicted character which adds depth to the story, keeping it engaging till the end. Unlike Hollywood action movies, Korean ones bring a raw intensity that seems fresh and often unpredictable. Thanks for the recommendation.
