Trivia

Decided to become a filmmaker after seeing Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo (1958).

Turned down the chance to remake The Evil Dead (1981).

His films Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002), Oldboy (2003), and Lady Vengeance (2005) are widely known as the "Vengeance Trilogy".

Was a student of philosophy at Sogang University in Seoul.

Met his wife at a university film club in the '80s.

Member of the 'Official Competition' jury at the 63rd Venice International Film Festival in 2006.

Member of the 'Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' (AMPAS) since 2016.

Member of the 'Official Competition' jury at the 70th Cannes International Film Festival in 2017.

Has one daughter.

Although his birthday is on August 23rd, his star sign is Leo.