This winter, the Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa (KCCSA) invites cinephiles on a gripping journey through one of the most iconic trilogies in modern cinema—Park Chan-wook’s Vengeance Trilogy. Screening over three consecutive Thursdays (19 June, 26 June, and 3 July) at 5 PM, this special K-Cinema Club series promises an unflinching exploration of morality, justice, and the human cost of revenge.

The trilogy—Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002), Oldboy (2003), and Lady Vengeance (2005)—stands as a cinematic milestone not only for Korean film but for global cinema at large. Tied thematically rather than narratively, each film offers a stylistically daring and emotionally charged descent into the darkest corners of the human psyche, where lines blur between hero and villain, victim and perpetrator.

At the heart of this trilogy is Park Chan-wook, one of South Korea’s most celebrated directors, known for his audacious visual style and masterful command of storytelling. Park rose to international prominence with Oldboy, which won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival in 2004. He has since continued to redefine the possibilities of cinema through critically acclaimed works like The Handmaiden (2016) and Decision to Leave (2022), cementing his legacy as a visionary auteur.

Each film in the trilogy delivers a unique and unforgettable experience:

Oldboy (19 June): A man imprisoned for 15 years without explanation is suddenly released and embarks on a mission to uncover the truth behind his captivity. What follows is a disturbing unraveling of secrets, manipulation, and vengeance that has left an indelible mark on global cinema.

Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (26 June): A deaf-mute factory worker’s desperate act to save his sister leads to a chain of irreversible events. Stark and sorrowful, the film explores the brutal consequences of a failed plan and the grief-fueled violence that follows.

Lady Vengeance (3 July): A woman wrongfully imprisoned for over a decade emerges from jail with a calculated plan for retribution. Visually arresting and emotionally profound, this final chapter ties the trilogy together with haunting elegance.

“Park Chan-wook’s films may be intense, but they’re also deeply human. His stories force us to ask uncomfortable questions about morality, justice, and forgiveness,” says Jaeil Lee, Senior Press & Media Officer at KCCSA. “We’re proud to bring this important trilogy to South African audiences—not only because of its cinematic brilliance, but because it represents a turning point in the global recognition of Korean storytelling.”

This is a rare opportunity to experience all three films on the big screen, presented in sequence and free of charge. Screenings will take place at the Korean Cultural Centre SA (267 Waterkloof Road, Brooklyn, Pretoria). Doors open at 4:30 PM and attendees are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy complimentary popcorn and refreshments before the films begin promptly at 5 PM.

Due to the mature themes and graphic content, the screenings are restricted to audiences aged 18 and over.

Admission is free, but registration is required via https://linktr.ee/KCCSA.

For more information, please contact KCCSA at 012 001 9204 or email kccsa@korea.kr.