Guillermo del Toro Praises Bong Joon-ho and Park Chan-wook, Calling Korean Cinema 'Pure and Unique'

Renowned director Guillermo del Toro has expressed his deep admiration for Korean cinema, specifically highlighting the works of Bong Joon-ho and Park Chan-wook.

The acclaimed filmmaker attended a press conference on October 19th at the Busan Cinema Center for his upcoming Netflix original film, ‘Frankenstein,’ which is an official selection for the Gala Presentation at the 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF).

‘Frankenstein,’ an adaptation of Mary Shelley's classic science fiction novel, tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant yet selfish scientist who creates a life form through a heinous experiment.

Del Toro spoke highly of Korean directors, stating, "When we make genre films, we handle them through the prism of our culture." He elaborated, "Looking at director Park Chan-wook, he skillfully blends chaos, absurdity, and ugliness into one film."

He continued, "Bong Joon-ho's ‘Memories of Murder’ poses existential and profound questions, but they are revealed through clumsy investigations. In ‘The Host,’ the monster's design is fantastic. Simultaneously, it depicts Korean society. It's about embedding culture into the theme." Del Toro added, "I also tell my own story in my films. My identity as a Mexican is revealed."

Expressing his awe for Park Chan-wook, del Toro said, "Director Park makes truly beautiful, existential, and romantic films. You can't find such a director." He emphasized, "The souls of characters who believe in existential darkness and romanticism are alive in his films. It's a uniqueness not found in films from other countries."

Furthermore, del Toro commented, "I think Korean films are very pure. The approach to genre itself is different from what foreign commercial films make. They create unique films that incorporate their own culture."

Guillermo del Toro is celebrated for his unique cinematic vision in films like 'The Shape of Water' and 'Pan's Labyrinth.' He possesses a remarkable talent for creature design and the dark fantasy genre. As a Mexican filmmaker, he is known for frequently incorporating his heritage and cultural background into his works.