The Global Impact of Korean Cinema | K-Wave

Korean films have become a major presence in cinemas, on streaming platforms and at international film festivals. Directors such as Bong Joon Ho, Park Chan-wook and Lee Chang-dong combine bold visual storytelling with social criticism, dark humour and films that rarely stay within the boundaries of a single genre. But how did Korean cinema become such a global force?

In this masterclass, film lecturer Twan Arts guides you through the history of K-Cinema. He explores the Korean New Wave of the 1990s, the rise of a new generation of filmmakers and the international breakthrough of films such as Oldboy and Parasite. What makes Korean cinema so distinctive? How has South Korea’s turbulent history and rapid modernisation shaped its films? And why do Korean filmmakers move so easily between arthouse, horror, thriller, melodrama and comedy?

The masterclass opens K-Wave, a four-part programme exploring the worldwide impact of Korean cinema. On three separate evenings, we screen Train to Busan, The Handmaiden and Burning. Three very different films that together reveal just how versatile, daring and unpredictable K-Cinema can be.

The masterclass and the three film screenings can be attended separately. A separate ticket is required for each evening or you can buy a passe-partour for all evenings.